We have enjoyed welcoming all children back to school this September and have been working hard to make school a safe and exciting environment for all.
All children will be in school from Monday 7th September with the following times;
Morning – gates open at 8.30am and close at 8.50am. You can get your children into school at any time during these times.
Afternoon – gates open at 3.00pm and close at 3.15pm. You can pick up your children at any time between these times
Before and after school provision from Rosie and Jims will start on the Monday 7th September and there will be no after school clubs for the first few weeks. We will be serving school dinners from the 7th September.
There are a few systems that we have put in place to ensure everything runs smoothly. We are unable to have any additional adults on site other than to drop off and collect children. This does mean that you will not be able to see staff unless it is urgent and you have an appointment, it also means that you will not be able to drop lunch boxes etc off at Reception. We are asking all parents to follow the one way system and to stick to the times given for drop off and collection.
There will be 2 entrances onto site and one exit, the upper gate (opposite Charlies) and the lower gate (onto Year 1&2 playground) are the entrances and the vehicle gate below the lower gate will be the only exit. Year 1 & 2 will enter through the lower gate only and Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 will enter through the upper gate only. Reception and Nursery we will let you know which gate to use next week. Don’t worry if you forget there will be members of staff all over school pointing you in the right direction until we all get used to it.
There are a lot of changes, but we know that we are able to keep the children safe in school and very much look forward to them coming back. We will change our systems as and when things change and we will of course let you know.
Please also see this letter on returning to school:
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
a high temperature– this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough– this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste– this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.
We are entering another strange time at school and I know that many of you have questions and concerns with regard to the new arrangements at school. Our priority is to keep the children as safe as possible whilst giving them all the learning they need within a stimulating environment. To this end we have been following the government guidance and will adapt our practice as and when this changes. There are a great deal of changes in school and this document outlines the important changes and what you need to do as a parent.
Children will not be asked to socially distance in school. Instead they will remain within their Year group bubble and be restricted to certain areas of the school. This means that their play times and dinner times will all be with the same group of children.
We have employed an additional cleaner to work throughout the day to keep all toilets clean and there will be additional cleaning throughout the day.
Children will need be reminded regularly to wash their hands and there will be hand sanitiser available. Children will also be reminded about all aspects of hygiene. Please remind them of these when they are at home with you.
Parents will only be allowed onto site to drop their child off or pick them up. If there is an important reason to come into school this will be by appointment only. Parent’s will not be able to drop off anything for their children during the day. Please make sure you stick to the time given for dropping off and picking up children and move through the school grounds without stopping.
We have organised a one way system for parents (please see map). It is essential all parents follow the system to avoid unnecessary contact with other parents.
Children will not be wearing face masks in school, if you need to wear them, for travelling to and from school they will need to taken home and not brought into school.
In the event of a child showing symptoms whilst at home please do not send them into school but please let us know. If they become ill with symptoms whilst at school they will be isolated in a room within school and you will be asked to collect them immediately. Please see separate document for signs and what to do.
We will try and make the school day as normal as possible but we will not be having assemblies, going on visits or having after school clubs for the moment. Rosie and Jims will resume, please contact the if you need before or after school care.
The Government have announced that from 28 September 2020, there will be a new legal duty on all those that test positive for COVID-19 or are identified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact, to self-isolate. Failure to comply will be an offence carrying a fine of at least £1,000 and up to £10,000 for multiple breaches.
To support people on low incomes who must self-isolate, cannot work from home and will lose income as a result, the Government has introduced a Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme. Individuals who qualify and who meet the criteria will be entitled to a £500 lump sum payable into their bank account. These payments will be subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions
To be eligible for the new Test and Trace Support Payment, you must meet all the following criteria. So, you must:
Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has
Be employed or self-employed
Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
Be currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related), Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based), Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.
During these unsettling times, as a parent of child aged between 0-19 year olds, you may be worried about your child’s health and wellbeing and be unsure about how to get the help you need.
Our school nurses and Health Visitors are still here to help – you can text them for confidential advice and support on a wide range of issues. Parent/carers of child(ren) aged 0-19 can send a text to: 07507329114
