Frequently Asked Questions about school re-opening

From your survey responses (Whole School - 22/05/2020)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What will happen if I choose not to send my child to school?

At this moment in time, the school will not be monitoring attendance in the usual way. If we have not heard from you regarding your intention to keep your child at home we may call to confirm this. Please note this change to the usual attendance rules is temporary but you will be notified when things change. Work will continue to be set on Seesaw for all year groups however response times might be a little slower as most teachers will now be in school teaching their bubble classes.

• Can I drop off/pick up earlier/later because of working hours?

We are not able to operate normal before and after school provision at this time. You must be on time for the drop off and pick up times that you have been given for your child’s class to allow for effective social distancing. Children who are late may not be allowed in as many staff who are normally free to help will be working from home.

• I am a key worker, so will my child be in two different bubbles during the day
  
  Our key worker bubbles are now in year groups so it won’t be necessary (or possible) to move between bubbles.

• Will you let my child physically play with other children?

Children will be able to interact from a short distance but we are not able to deliver the normal curriculum in the normal manner. The children will be expected to sit separately and respect the social distancing expectations that protect everyone. Schools will be spending time modelling these expectations with the children.

• Will the changes needed damage my child’s confidence and wellbeing or make them not want to come to school? What will the learning look like in school?

The changes needed will require time for children to adjust and adapt and some will find it easier than others. Staff will work hard to help children adjust to the new methods of learning and to make school an enjoyable, if different, experience.

The smaller class sizes will also bring the advantage of more individual staff time for children. Schools will be actively looking to use the outside spaces more. The curriculum will be more focussed along the traditional model of sit, listen and learn to maintain the social distancing.

For our youngest learners these changes are significant and schools are very aware and planning for this transition. We are unable to safely provide some of the play elements for learning and the group plays.

For all age groups we believe that the benefits of social interaction and the reestablishment of some routines will far outweigh the teething problems adapting to the new norm of working in schools.

• Is it dangerous that staff won’t wear PPE?

All schools have conducted extensive Health and Safety reviews with senior leaders and governors. We have taken expert advice and are following the DfE guidelines. Schools are investing time and money into making the environments safe for all. Different levels of PPE are available in schools depending on the situations that staff face.

• Black people are more likely to die from coronavirus. How will you keep me and my family extra safe?

We will be applying the same stringent safety measures to all members of the community.

• How will you stop young children touching everything?

Schools have decluttered the learning environments and all children will be expected to sit at a fixed station for their learning. All soft furnishings have been removed and hard surfaces will be cleaned before new learners can use that space and between sessions. In addition upon entry to the classroom everyone will have to wash their hands.

• You can’t social distance young children, what will you do to make this happen?

Schools have planned a variety of strategies to minimise the physical contact between children. These include staggered start and finish times, alternative entry and exit procedures, clear seating arrangements, smaller class sizes (up to 9), changes to the delivery of the curriculum (sit, listen and learn), increased use of outside spaces, one way systems, toilet arrangements, socially distance reminders and markings around the school.

• What will happen if my child continually breaks social distancing guidelines?

The school will risk assess that the child is currently unsafe to be on site for other children and staff and you will be asked to return to educate your child at home with a home learning pack or on Seesaw.

• How will you keep pick up safe for parents when we all need you to hand over our 4 year olds? Can we come onto the playground to drop off/collect as usual? How will you make this time safe? How will you avoid the bottleneck of the main entrance?

Start and finish times will be staggered and the entry and exit procedures have been modified. Each group will be told which of our 5 gates to use. However, parents must play their part and socially distance themselves whilst on school premises. We are also asking that only 1 adult per child walks to school.

• How can you make sure that other families have followed social distancing so that my child is safe?

Ultimately we can only control what happens in our school. We will advise and challenge any unsafe behaviours on entry or exit. If any student is making it unsafe for others and not responding to our expectations then we will make alternative arrangements for that individual so that the bubble is not put at further risk.

• We have to come on two buses to get to school and I don’t think that’s safe. Do I have to bring my child back to school?

At this moment in time, the school will not be monitoring attendance in the usual way. If we have not heard from you regarding your intention to keep your child at home we may call to confirm this. Please note this change to the usual attendance rules is temporary but you will be notified when things change.

• Can I still come into the classroom to settle my child at the start of the day?

No, drop off happens at the school gate. For Nursery, Reception keyworker children this will be at the Nursery gate on the school car park so very close to the classroom, and for Year 1 keyworker children this will be at the same gate straight onto the Year 1 outdoor area, again very close to the classroom.

• If my child is upset, can the teacher still lift them from me?

No, unless it is an emergency physical staff and student contact is to be kept to a minimum.

• How are the corridors/toilets/time outside being kept safe?

Schools are taking a range of measures to ensure children are safe outside of the classrooms, these include: staggered start and finish times, alternative entry and exit procedures, increased use of outside spaces, one way systems, toilet arrangements, socially distance reminders and markings around the school.

• Can I send my child in for only certain days?

We expect your child to take full advantage of the provision made by the school.

• What will happen with Year 6 Transition?

Year 6 lessons will include the normal Transition Lessons. We have been working with secondary schools to make sure that their teachers can video link into our classrooms and make contact with Year 6 children from a distance rather than in person.