1st March 2021

Dear Parent/Carer,

Safety Information for Full Reopening of School 8th March 2021

 

Firstly, may I take the opportunity to thank all our parents and families for your patience and understanding over what has been a very difficult period since the end of December. We have had so many kind words and sentiments passed to us, and we are very grateful for this.

For the past few weeks we have been welcoming around 80 children into school. They have been accessing keyworker and priority places. Our teachers have been providing support and contact with our home learners through Microsoft teams and seesaw, and although we feel this has been valuable, of course nothing can replicate the benefits of being in school. Thank you as parents and carers for supporting your children during this time.

Our risk assessments has now been updated and can be found on the school website for your information.

In order to keep our children, staff and parents as safe as possible, there are a number of changes which will be in place on your return (8th March). Most of these have already been implemented successfully during the autumn term when your children returned last September. They are about social distancing wherever possible, limiting the mixing of different groups (classes) of children and reducing the number of parents on site at any one time.

As a welcoming school, the most difficult thing I feel that we are asking of our families is to limit the face-to-face contact between parents and staff at school. In essence, this means we are asking you direct messages and enquiries via email or telephone call to the office rather than calling into school. This also applies to any discussions with class teachers as from 8th March we will need to keep face to face interactions to an absolute minimum. Instead again please make use of telephone and email to contact your child’s class teacher if you need to speak to them. Office staff and teachers will be only too happy to help and deal with any issues in this manner.

From 8th March, bringing your child will look slightly differently as all parents, guardians and carers at all times are asked to wear a face covering when coming on to the schools grounds (Just as you all do in the supermarkets to keep not only yourselves safe but others.)

As we did last term, your child will arrive at the main entrance of school, as the Nursery gate will no longer be an entrance. This area has now become an exit route so that we have a one-way system in place.

Once your child arrives they will go directly into their classroom and use the hand sanitizer. Parents will then continue to walk to the exit gate around the school perimeter. You will no longer be able to wait outside classrooms or enter the marked yellow areas outside of each classroom, this is to ensure that social distancing takes place at all times. The same process will be in place at the end of the day.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIMES BELOW

What are the drop off and collection arrangements?

NURSERY

8.45am drop off.  Collection 3.15pm

INFANT - Reception, Y1, Y2

8.50-9.00am drop off.  Collection 3.15pm

JUNIOR - Y3, 4, 5, 6

8.55 – 9.05 am drop off.  Collection 3.20pm

If you have children in different drop off times, the 5 minute window should allow you to safely stagger the drop offs without excessive waiting. i.e. drop off infant pupils at 8.50am and junior pupils at 8.55am.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL GATE WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL 8.45am AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE GATE WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL JUST BEFORE 3.15pm. (So please do not arrive at school any earlier.)

 

TO KEEP NUMBERS ON SITE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE:

If you do not have children in different drop off times, please drop off infant pupils at 8.50am and junior pupils at 8.55am.

Please also leave the site quickly and avoid congregating with other parents. You will need to drop off and collect your child at their classroom specific door and not the main entrance. Please do NOT come to the school office with enquiries, please contact via email or telephone.

 

What about before and after school childcare?

School’s Breakfast and Afterschool Club will return to usual operating hours. Please book places as normal with Mrs Fairhurst or through the school office via email. Children will practice regular handwashing routines, and every effort will be made to ensure children social distance. We will also try to keep children in their phase groups i.e. EYFS, KS1, LKS2, UKS2. All toys/equipment will be sanitized and there will be a revised breakfast/snack menu. Parents will be limited to waiting in the foyer area in the main entrance.

 

What if there is a case of Coronavirus in school?

• Anyone showing symptoms of COVID should not attend school, and a test should be conducted.

• Any pupil showing symptoms of COVID during the school day will be isolated and parents requested to collect the child ASAP. A test should be conducted. Parents of children in the same group will be informed and asked to monitor for symptoms.

• If there is a confirmed case of COVID, school will contact the Local Health Compliance Team for further guidance and instructions.

 

Please remember that your child will arrive at the main entrance of school, as the Nursery gate will no longer be an entrance. This area has now become an exit route so that we have a one-way system in place. Once your child arrives, parents will then continue to walk to the exit gate around the school perimeter. You will no longer be able to wait outside classrooms. The same process will be in place at the end of the day.

It is important that you keep to the time given for your child’s class to avoid too many people being on the school site at once. I’m sure you understand and will support this new system.

Just to remind all parents that attendance at school is mandatory from 8th March. We will resume our usual systems of promoting and encouraging good attendance. Teachers, TAs and other staff remain as welcoming and committed to the children’s wellbeing, education and spiritual life as always but if you have any concerns about your child’s return to school please do not hesitate in contacting the school office to speak to a member of staff about your concerns.

Finally, I would like to thank you once again for your continued support. The entire staff and I are really looking forward to welcoming you all back in the meantime stay safe and look after yourselves.

Yours sincerely

Mrs O'Brien