Please see below for full guidance regarding your child's return to school:
We know that some of you may be anxious about returning your child to school at this time. Please be assured that we and the Government are confident that the benefits of being back in school far outweigh the very low risk the current levels on the virus in the community poses for the vast majority of children. It is vital for all children to return to school to minimise the longer-term impact of the pandemic on education, wellbeing and wider development.
We have been working throughout the summer holidays to prepare the school for the return of all children and staff and this letter will provide the information on how the school will be running from 7th September. In order to introduce the new routines to the children we are going to have half of each class in school on Monday 7th September with the other half joining them on Tuesday 8th September. We feel that this will be the best way for us to explain what will be expected in order to minimise risk in school.
What we are doing to protect and support pupils and staff
Travelling to and from school
Following Government advice, we encourage you to walk or cycle to school if at all possible. Only members of a household bubble should travel together to and from school, and only one adult from the household should travel with pupils.
If your child wears a face covering to travel to school please discourage them from touching the front of their face while they are wearing it and when they remove it. Please provide them with a plastic bag to keep it in while they are at school.
We politely request that parents do not socially gather on the way to school and on the school premises. We would also like to refer you to government guidelines at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers which gives advice for walking, cycling and travelling in vehicles safely during this time.
Start and end of the school day
The following arrangements are in place for the start and end of the school day:
There will be one-way system operating in the playground. Only one parent/carer can accompany children in Reception and Years 1 to 4 and children in Years 5 and 6 should arrive and leave school on their own. Children should enter school through the external doors to their classrooms and children in Reception and Years 1 to 4 should be dropped off at the gates to the outdoor areas leading to the classrooms.
We will ask pupils to perform hand hygiene on arrival at school. When your child arrives at school, the class teacher and teaching assistant will check with your child if they are feeling well. Children will then sanitise their hands at the entrance to the classroom before entering. If they are wearing a face covering they will need to remove this and then sanitise hands before entering.
Cohorting of small groups (Bubbles)
Pupils and staff will remain with their own class groups who are separated from classes within the school. The guidance advises that it is acceptable for siblings to be in different bubbles. Initially we are not running a breakfast club or our normal range of after school clubs but will aim to do so as soon as possible. We will contact you about this in September. However, we will be offering a class based sports club for Year 2 to 6; Mrs Chilvers will contact you about this shortly.
Following government advice we have:
Educational visits will be assessed to ensure that providers are COVID-19 secure; there are currently no overnight stays.
Lunchtime and school meals
School lunches will be provided as usual. Children with packed lunches will eat in their classrooms with hot dinners being served in the hall. Lunchtimes will be staggered and children will eat in their class groups. Each class will have its own designated area in the playground or on the field.
Universal hygiene
Staff are implementing these universal hygiene measures and encouraging our pupils to do the same:
Cleaning and disinfection
The following enhanced arrangements are in place:
Health and wellbeing
Supporting each other
Your support to help us achieve these standards in our school is vital. Please role model the hygiene behaviours that apply when you are at home and encourage your children to follow them. Please ensure that:
Educating and supporting
Children can become advocates in infection prevention at home and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses, so we are educating in an age appropriate way.
We have updated our behaviour policy to cover the new arrangements and site rules that we have put in place. We will ensure that we take a consistent approach to reinforcing behaviour.
Symptoms and isolation
Further information can be found here: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/
Supporting the test and trace system
The national test and trace system is a fundamental supporting mechanism to keep us all safe during this time. Getting tested when you have symptoms and letting the tracing team know who you have been in contact with if you do test positive means that we can all take the right actions to stop the spread of the virus.
If anyone in your household develops any of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell), everyone in the household must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. You should arrange for the person with symptoms to get tested. Tests are FREE - you can get a test by calling 119 or via the online webpage: www.NHS.uk/coronavirus.
If your child develops symptoms please let us know as soon as possible by telephoning the school so that we can take the right actions to keep everyone safe.
You can find out more about tests for children and young people at: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/test-trace/tests-for-children-young-people
You can find out more about what you need to do if anyone in your household has symptoms here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Action we will take if someone from the school has a positive test
If someone tests positive from the school then we will work with the local Health Protection Team from Public Health. We will advise you in the event that someone has tested positive where it means that your child needs to isolate for 14 days. If your child is not part of the same main or extended bubble then it is unlikely that they need to isolate.
Meetings and visitors
Wherever possible, meetings between yourself and the school should take place by telephone or internet and this includes informal conversations we might normally have.
Only absolutely essential in person meetings will take place; should this be required, the school will make specific arrangements with you. We will only meet with one parent if this is the case. Please do not come into school unless you have an appointment.
Payments for lunches will need to be made over the telephone using debit or credit cards.
We have safe arrangements for essential visitors who need to come onto site such as maintenance contractors.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation; we will review our arrangements in line with any required changes and advise you where needed. Please contact the school office if you would like a copy of our full school risk assessment.
As a reminder ...........
Class |
Arrival Time |
Home Time |
PE Day |
Entry to School |
Ash |
8.40 |
3.10 |
Friday |
External door to classroom |
Birch |
8.50 |
3.20 |
Tuesday and Friday |
External door to classroom |
Elm |
8.50 |
3.20 |
Tuesday and Friday |
External door to classroom |
Maple |
8.40 |
3.10 |
Thursday |
External door to classroom |
Oak |
8.45 |
3.15 |
Monday |
External door to classroom |
Poplar |
8.40 – no adults |
3.30 – no adults |
Wednesday |
External door to classroom |
Sycamore |
8.40 – no adults |
3.30 – no adults |
Friday |
External door to classroom |
Willow |
8.30 |
3.30 |
Thursday |
Met by member of staff at main gate |
Woodlands |
8.45 |
3.15 |
Wednesday |
Main door |