March 2021 Arrangements
Reopening to all children
We can't wait to welcome all the children back to school!
However - let's start by being completely clear - COVID-19 has not yet gone away.
Whilst welcoming all children back this Spring, we will also be asked to continue to minimise the number of contacts that a child has during the school day as part of implementing the system of controls outlined by risk assessment to reduce the risk of transmission. All elements of the system of controls are essential.
The overarching principle we are having to continue to apply is to reduce the number of contacts between children and staff. We will achieve this once again through keeping phase or year groups separate (in ‘bubbles’) and through maintaining distance between individuals. These are not alternative options and both measures will help, but the balance between them will change depending on:
- children’s ability to distance from others.
- the lay out of the school and the movement needed.
- the feasibility of keeping distinct groups separate while offering a broad curriculum and a near normal school experience.
- the necessity for enhanced hygiene measures.
Will we still have staggered starts and finishes?
The reason is that if different bubbles come in and out via the same route at the same time together, there are more people congregating at the same time, walking onto the site and into the buildings at the same time and using the same air at the same time. This still applies if there is a one way system - we would all still be sharing the air with too many other people at the same time.
Scientists have continually confirmed that the COVID virus is airborne and CAN be transmitted outside. When people breathe out, sneeze, cough or talk, droplets are held in the air for a time before dispersing or landing on a surface. If the people sharing that droplet filled air are all in the same bubble, that's the minimum acceptable situation for limited transmission. If the people sharing that air are from different bubbles, that increases chances of transmission to a wider number of people - this is in fact how the R number works.
I looked at trying to have a shorter time between the start and finish times, but 15 mins is the official advice to give the air time clear and the droplets to disperse.
I am sorry about this, but we will therefore need to stick to September's staggered timings. I can't do anything else with a clear conscience - I have to make the site as safe as I possibly can and I just can't compromise with such an important duty of care.
Start and finish times
Please take careful note of your child's start and finish times as in the table below. Gates will not be opened until these times.
The four different gates are all clearly labelled with signage.
How the start of the day will run
There will be a member of staff on each gate. They will be there to greet you and your child warmly but also to ensure that control measures are adhered to.
- 8:45 am - Years 5 and 6 will enter but must not be accompanied by any parents on site - please say goodbye to them on the Green.
- 8:45 am - Children in Nursery will be accompanied to their classroom by one parent. If siblings are not capable of waiting on the Green, they may accompany their parent but may not enter any of the buildings and must maintain social distance from any other accompanying siblings.
- 9:00 am -Years 2, 3 and 4 will enter but must not be accompanied by any parents on site - please say goodbye to them on the Green.
- 9:15 am - children in Foundation Stage may be escorted to their classroom door by one parent each. It would be helpful if Y1 children could come in without their parent.
Pre-school or toddling children must be held or kept in a buggy at all times - they must not be allowed to walk unaccompanied.
How the end of the day will run
There will be a member of staff with the children at the gates.
They will be there to say goodbye to you and your child warmly but also to ensure that control measures are adhered to.
- 2:45 pm - Years 5 and 6 will leave. Please meet them on the Green. You will not be allowed on site.
- 2:45 am - parents of children in Nursery will be admitted through the main gate to wait outside the Nursery class for their child to be dismissed from the classroom door. You are not allowed inside the classroom. If siblings are not capable of waiting on the Green, they may accompany their parent but may not enter any of the buildings and must maintain social distance from any other accompanying siblings.
- 3:00 pm -Years 2, 3 and 4 will leave. Please meet them on the Green. You will not be allowed on site.
- 3:15 pm - children in Moon and Mercury will be brought to the main gate and children in Venus will be brought to the path gate and you will be able to collect them from there. Please wait on the Green.
Pre-school or toddling children must be held or kept in a buggy at all times - they must not be allowed to walk unaccompanied.
FS parents and Nursery parents
Please do not expect staff to stand and talk for a long time.
Hand gel
The wearing of masks
All adults bringing/collecting from the school site are expected to wear face coverings through points of flow. We would not expect the children to wear masks.
Parking on the school run
Parking can be found on Brayton Lane next to the Green and in the surrounding streets near the vets. I am unsure as to whether The Swan Landlord will allow parking in their car park at this time.
If it is at all possible, I'd be most grateful if you could walk or cycle to school. I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to sort out parking issues on the school run.
Social Distancing on the Green
Has anything else changed since September?
Not really....
The children should still refrain from bringing unnecessary items or clothes into school. You will continue to be informed of when PE kits are to be worn for the day.
The only two changes will be that the teachers will no longer do live lesson streaming and you will notice that staff no longer wear visors as we have been informed that face coverings are more effective.
We will still have access to Google classrooms should we need it and we will constantly be looking forward to events that we can hold online or in other ways to inject fun into the school calendar.
Weekly newsletters will resume and virtual daily worships will be planned again.
All lunchtime arrangements will resume as they were in September.
Wraparound
I really am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our parents and carers.
Thank you
See you all soon!