Phased Re-Opening of School for More Pupils

Government Advice re Phased Re-Opening  of Schools

Government Advice re Closure of Educational Settings Information for Parents and Carers: Reopening Schools from 1st June

Since 23 March, in line with the scientific advice, St.Vincent’s has remained open to a Hub: a priority group of vulnerable pupils and children of critical workers. we would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for their understanding and cooperation since we had to close to the majority of children. We know that this period has been challenging for many families. The government  has now reviewed this arrangement in line with scientific advice and, as we are believed to be past the peak of the virus, the Prime Minister has set out a recovery strategy, while also ensuring that safety remains the absolute priority. This means it is time to begin the phased return of children to school in a way that is measured, reduces risks and is guided by science.

The government believes that school is the best place for children to learn, and it is good for children’s mental wellbeing to have social interactions with other children, carers and teachers.

As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the transmission rate of coronavirus has decreased. The government anticipate that with further progress we may be able, from the week commencing 1 June, to welcome back more children . Our school will only open provided that the 5 key tests set by government justify the changes at the time, including that the rate of infection is decreasing and the enabling programmes set out in the recovery strategy are operating effectively. As a result, we are planning on this basis, ahead of confirmation that these tests are met.

From the week commencing 1 June, St.Vincent’s is planning to welcome back Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils, as well as our Hub pupils. We have completed a comprehensive Risk Assessment to prepare for the safe return of the children and staff. At this stage it is not possible to welcome back Nursery and still adhere to the guidance and thus we are delaying their return further.

The government hopes that all primary school children can come back to school before the summer holidays, for a month if feasible, although this will be kept under review. Reducing the risks for children and staff is the utmost priority. We will continue to keep you updated about this, as soon as we receive any further instruction from the government.

All of our arrangements will be reviewed daily and are subject to change to ensure the safety of our St. Vincent’s family. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Protective Measures

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, schools  will use a range of protective measures to create safer environments in which the risk of spreading the virus is substantially reduced. St.Vincent’s has completed all of these measures, and although social distancing can never be guaranteed, we have out all the measures in place to provide a safe and welcoming returning to school.

• carrying out a risk assessment before opening to more children – the assessment directly address risks associated with coronavirus so that sensible measures can be put in place to minimise those risks for children and staff
• making sure that children and staff do not attend if they or a member of their household has symptoms of coronavirus

• cleaning our hands more often than usual. We have developed routines to ensure children understand when and how to wash their hands, making sure they wash them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using running water and soap and dry them thoroughly, or use alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered
•  ensuring our pupils understand good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach and ensuring a good supply of tissues and bins throughout the setting

• cleaning more frequently to get rid of the virus on frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, tabletops and play equipment
  minimising contact through smaller classes or group sizes and altering the environment as much as possible, such as changing the layout of classrooms
• asking children not to bring toys or other items from home to the setting

• reducing mixing between groups through timetable changes, such as staggered break times or by introducing staggered drop-off and collection times
• asking parents and carers to physically distance from each other and from staff when dropping off and collecting their children and to limit drop off and collection to one parent or carer per household.

The School Day

The school day, the building layout and the resources and equipment that are available will feel very different for our pupils while we all adjust to a new way of working and learning.   It might help your child to adjust if you explain there will be some changes to school life to help keep them safe. More information can be found in the letter that was sent home to all parents.

We will regularly review all practice and procedures, taking into account feedback and government guidance, so all arrangements are subject to change. All our decisions will be made with the health and safety of pupils and staff as the priority. We will keep you fully updated.

Children in the eligible year groups and priority groups (such as children of critical workers) are encouraged to attend school, unless they are self-isolating or there are other reasons for absence (such as shielding due to health conditions). Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time.

Blogs will continue, including for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 so that children not returning to school can continue their home learning and maintain contact with the school but, as some teachers will be needed to teach year groups other than their usual classes, the responses may be from different teachers and responses will not be as immediate as they have been to date. Thank you for your tremendous support of the home learning program-we do hope this continues.

Thank you for your continued support. We are so looking forward to seeing you all soon.