Welcome Back Arrangements from Monday 8th March

Dr. Triplett’s Updates for Full Opening from Monday 8th March

We are very much looking forward to welcoming all the children back from Monday 8th March. Many of the arrangements will be the same as for the autumn term and therefore familiar to you but are as follows.

Following detailed risk assessments being undertaken some changes will be as follows to keep us within the Government’s guidelines. All of this will be explained clearly in an appropriate way to the children:

• 3 separate entrance/exit gates for children: Reception (Sapphire & Diamond) and Pearl Class will enter via the gate used to access the main office and then through the side ‘garden gate’. Both sets of gates in the Infant playground will be open (the usual ones and the one at the top by the bicycle shelter). Please use the entrance that you walk past first as you come to school.

• One adult only to bring children to school/collect from each family.

• We would ask that all parents/carers wear a face mask on the school grounds to help

  protect our whole school community.

• Avoid use of public transport where possible.

• The school day will be 8:30am – 3:00pm for all children except Nursery.

• Nursery times: 8:30am – 2:30pm if all day. Morning children 8:30am - 11:30am and afternoon

  children 12:00pm - 3:00pm. 30 Hours parents may choose to pay extra and collect at 3pm.

• Playground gates open at 8:30am. Government requirements state that parents must not gather around the school entrances.

• There will be year group ‘bubbles’ of children. Children will only mix with their year group and the adults with those year groups as far as possible. Most teaching will be in classes but year-bubbles allow for some specialist and/or group teaching.

• A one-way system will operate in school, clearly demarcated in corridors.

• Hot lunches will be provided for children, but an adapted menu will have to be used to allow for food to be taken easily to eat in classrooms if required because year groups should not mix in the Hall.

• Large pump dispensers of approved hand sanitiser in every classroom with frequent hand washing/sanitising (e.g. on arrival, after breaks, before eating, when changing rooms etc.) to increase hygiene.

• Ongoing cleaning throughout the day. A member of the premises team will be on site the whole time the children are present to clean frequently touched surfaces.

• Approved disinfectant in each classroom to wipe down tables and resources

• All cleaning materials will be out of reach of the children.

• Breakfast Club and After School Care will be available for parents who need this. Football and tennis clubs will begin after the Easter Holidays.

• Collective worship will be in year group bubbles as a maximum – no whole school worship in the Hall but worship will be shared with all classes every day through video link.

• Staff may use face visors/shields and masks in areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.

• No parents in school (unless an emergency) without a pre-booked appointment.

• Any sports coaches will be as consistent as possible with equipment cleaned between groups.

• Peripatetic music lessons to continue if possible, as per Government advice.

• No swimming lessons at present for Year 4.

• Unless emergency repairs are required, no contractors on site when the children are here.

• Reading books returned to school will be quarantined for 48 hours (in line with Government guidance) before being shared with other children.

• Children who are unwell with potential symptoms of COVID-19 will need to be collected immediately and may only return when a negative test result has been given.

• Clear communication between home and school.