Reopening of School – Monday 8th March 2021
Reopening of School – Monday 8th March 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
We know how hard our children and families have worked to engage with learning at home and we are so grateful to all of you for your amazing effort, hard work, determination and for doing your very best; however, we know home learning is not the same as being in school.
The Government announcement on 22nd February confirmed that schools will reopen from Monday 8th March and all primary age pupils are expected to return to in-school learning on that date.
We are now half way through the school year and we are confident our children can look forward to a positive experience over the coming months and we can’t wait to get back to life in the classroom together!
We understand that some children, parents and households may be reluctant or anxious about children returning. This may include:
- pupils living in households where someone is clinically vulnerable; and/or
- those concerned about the comparatively increased risk from coronavirus (COVID-19), including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
We would like to reassure you that we are here to support all our pupils and families and will do our utmost to help your child return to learning in school and to enjoy being with their friends again.
The usual rules on school attendance will apply from Monday 8th March, including:
- parents’ duty to secure their child’s regular attendance at school (where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age)
- the ability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct
As a school, we have already implemented a range of protective measures to keep everyone safe, including:
- Frequent, thorough hand washing as part of everyday routines
- Good respiratory hygiene habits – ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’
- Enhanced regular cleaning arrangements
- Active engagement with the NHS Test and Trace service
- Operating in individual class ‘bubbles’
- Staggered timetables for the start/end of day and break/lunch times
- Control of visitors on school grounds
- Encouraging face coverings to be worn by adults in collection areas at start and end of the day
These measures will continue and are now fully embedded in our school routines. In recent weeks, we have also introduced some additional measures:
- Face coverings are worn by adults where social distancing between adults is not always possible, for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas.
- All school staff have access to twice weekly Lateral Flow home testing, to help identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmission.
If you have any questions or worries about your child coming back to school due to the risk of COVID-19, please contact us as soon as possible. We want to listen to any concerns you may have and do our best to help.
If your child is too ill to attend school
Please notify the school office of your child’s absence before 9.00 am on the first day of absence (telephone 01934 626769, Option 1). If your child is ill for more than one day, you will need to call on each morning of the absence, unless otherwise agreed by the school.
Please clearly explain the symptoms your child has, when the symptoms started, and when you expect them to be well enough to return to school.
Coronavirus Symptoms and how to book a test
If your child, or anyone else in your household, has any symptoms of coronavirus (fever, a new cough, loss of smell/taste), all members of your household must isolate. In this situation, your child(ren) must not come to school and you should contact us as soon as possible. Anyone who has symptoms should get a test as soon as possible. To book a test online go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
If you cannot book a test online, you can book a test by telephoning the NHS on 119. If the test result/s are negative, your child should return to school as soon as they feel well enough.
You can find more information here, including information about the isolation period if your child or someone else in your household tests positive for coronavirus: https://clf.uk/covid-19-related-pupil-absence/
If you have any queries about symptoms, call 111 or go to: https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/
Staggered Drop off & Pick up Timetable
Details of the start/finish times for individual classes are attached. We acknowledge that the timings may not suit everyone; however, we ask that you please stick to your allocated times and gate and we will review these again at Easter as the public health picture improves. Where you have siblings who have different start times, we would ask that you drop all children at the earliest time.
As restrictions on social gatherings between different households remain in place, we ask all adults to wear face coverings in the collection areas to help keep everyone safe. If you need to approach a member of staff to discuss your child or ask questions, please ensure you are wearing a face covering. Only ONE parent/adult should accompany children to/from school.
Lunch Arrangements
The hot school meal menus from 8th March are attached for you information. Key Stage One pupils (Year R to Year 2) will be offered the full menu and will eat in the hall on a staggered timetable. Key Stage Two (Years 3-6) have a reduced hot school menu, as this needs to be served in boxes to be eaten in classrooms. As the weather improves we hope to be able to increase this offer by taking advantage of outside dining.
Bags and Personal Items
Children only need to bring a coat, water bottle and their lunchbox with them to school and EYFS, Year 1 & Year 2 children can bring their school book bag. Year 5/6 children can bring in a pencil case with their stationery in on the first day; however, it must stay in school and remain on their desk at all times. NO other bags or personal items should be brought to school please.
Reading Books
EYFS, Year 1 & Year 2 will be issued with reading books on a regular basis, which can be taken between school and home. We would like to encourage reading amongst our Year 3-Year 6 (KS2) children therefore, if a child wishes, they can bring a reading book from home but this would remain in school. Reading books will also be available to children from the class libraries.
Water Bottles
Our water fountain remains out of use and it is important every child has their own, name labelled water bottle. These should be taken home each night and thoroughly cleaned. Unnamed water bottles left in classrooms will be disposed of so please ensure your child’s bottle is clearly labelled.
Uniform
All children should return to school in full school uniform, including school shoes. Children should only wear trainers on P.E. days.
P.E Kits
Classes will have designated P.E days, which will be confirmed in next week’s Newsletter. On this day children should arrive at school in their P.E. kit, including trainers, and they will remain in this all day. We recommend dark coloured jogging bottoms and a hoodie/fleece are worn if the weather is cooler.
Breakfast Club & After School Club
Both clubs will be available from Monday 8th March, however capacity has been reduced. A separate letter will be sent to those already registered on Friday 26th February, with full details of booking arrangements. We ask parents/carers to make their bookings promptly in order for us to organise staffing and resources. We will be unable to accommodate any late bookings. If you are not currently registered and would like your child to attend either of these clubs, please contact the school office as soon as possible.
INSET day postponed
In light of this government update, and our intention to commit fully to supporting the return of all learners, we have postponed the trustwide INSET day that was planned for 17th March until Friday 28th May (the final day of term 5). This is so that we can dedicate our time to supporting our children to re-engage with learning and with their peers.
As a reminder, parents/carers/visitors are not permitted on the school site without a pre-arranged appointment. Please continue to contact us on [email protected] or telephone on 01934 626769 with any queries you may have.
Yours faithfully
Sam Hodder
Principal
