Covid- 19 Information and Updates

Information for Parents relating to Covid-19

Full Re-opening of Schools in September 2020 - Information

Please read the information below regarding the re-opening of the school in September for all children.

Moreland Primary School FAQs –September 2020

 

How will you maintain social distancing for parents, carers, children and staff?

• We will be reducing the contact between pupils and staff by having class or year group bubbles. The staff working with each group will stay with their allocated group to enable reduced contact between groups. Where staff have to move between bubbles e.g. music teacher then they will remain socially distanced from children.
• As much as possible, the children and staff will remain socially distanced from each other. This is not be possible for young children (Year 1 and below) where other measures have been put in place to minimise risk.
• The learning environments around the school have been adapted to help with this. For example, children in Year 2 and above will sit at forward facing tables.
• Lunch and playtimes will be staggered to ensure contact between groups continues to be reduced. Children will play in an allocated ‘zone’ in the playground each day.
• There will be staggered drop offs and pick-ups every day to ensure social distancing is maintained for all. Parents are asked to socially distance themselves from other parents when dropping off and for only one parent to attend.

 

What happens to the attendance of my child if I am not comfortable sending them into school?

• No one with symptoms of Covid 19 should attend school for any reason.
• All children must attend school unless they are unwell and attendance is compulsory for all school age children from September.
• Parents may be referred for non-attendance from September and schools will be held to account for attendance levels.

 

 What protective measures will be in place for staff and pupils?

We have followed the government guidance with regards to protective measures and have implemented the following measures: -

• Clear guidance in place to ensure there is consistency across the school community so that anyone with symptoms knows what to do next
• Regular reminders to staff and pupils about hand washing - Hand sanitizers on all entrances to the school building including into the classrooms
• Daily checks to ensure handwashing facilities are fully stocked and bins are regularly emptied
• Increase in cleaning including deep cleans and regular cleaning of high contact areas e.g. light switches, door handles, taps etc.
•  Minimising contact between groups with staggered starts, playtimes and lunchtimes
•  A  medical room with the correct level of PPE (gloves, aprons, face masks)
• Bubbles of children and staff  (see above in ‘social distancing’ question)
• Each group to have their own set of resources to use within the classroom and at lunchtimes – these will be thoroughly cleaned daily.
• Older children will have individual sets of resource e,g, stationary, pencil case
• All toys that are hard to clean will be removed e.g. soft toys
• Doors to be kept open to limit the use of door handles being touches and to aid ventilation
• Increase in the use of outdoor spaces throughout the school day but ensuring these are timetabled to limit contact between groups of children
• One way system around school for when children need to move between their classroom , the toilets and outside
• Children will eat at their desk in their classroom or have a staggered session in the hall. The hall will be cleaned between groups.
• PPE will be provided for all staff when administering first aid and managing toileting e.g. nappy changing
• As an important part of our school community, we ask that you continue to encourage good infection control practices, such as thorough handwashing, at home and keep your child informed about the things they can do to discourage the spread of infection.

 

What if a family member is part of the extremely vulnerable group?

• If a family member is part of the extremely vulnerable group then children can attend school but parents/carers should follow the government’s current guidance as this could be updated and seek advice from their GP (if appropriate).
• If a child or member of staff lives with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable), including those who are pregnant, they can attend their education setting.

 

Will the children be going back to normal lessons?

• We are very much aware that children have been out of school for some time and have had very different experiences. Our main priority initially is to focus on pupil wellbeing. This will involve supporting each child to transition smoothly back into school and to help them to feel confident and safe with the new routines that will need to be established in order to keep everyone safe. Staff naturally will be regularly assessing each child to identify what they need to ensure their wellbeing needs are met. Teachers will address your child’s needs through a range of teaching activities whilst ensuring the protective measures that have been implemented are being followed.
• We will provide children with a broad and balanced curriculum and children will study all National Curriculum Subjects. We will follow Government guidance on sports activities e.g. swimming and contact sports. Currently children will only participate in non-contact sports. PE will be taught outside whenever possible.
• We will provide a comprehensive catch up programme to support all children to make up the learning they have missed.
• Children will initially only be able to attend trips or visits in the local area that do not involve using public transport. We will individually risk assess all trips and visits to ensure they comply with Government guidance.
• We will continue to provide homework and other extra activities through the Class DoJo App.
• If your child does not attend school because they are self-isolating the class teacher will provide home learning activities that they can complete.

 

Will my child be tested for COVID-19?

• When settings open to all children and young people, all those eligible to attend, and members of their households, will have access to testing if they display symptoms of coronavirus.
• Access to testing is also already available to all essential workers.
• The school will engage with the ‘Test and Trace’ system as directed by the Government and Public Health England.

 

What additional cleaning will take place?

• There will be additional deep cleaning of classrooms and shared areas.
• Daily cleaning will continue to take place.
• The resources the children have used will also be cleaned more regularly.
• Increased cleaning of high contact areas will take place routinely throughout the day.

 

What happens if someone in my child’s class has COVID- 19?

• If someone has symptoms of Covid-19 they will be isolated in the medical room and sent home as quickly as possible.
• If a person tests positive for Covid-19 then all the children and staff in that class/ group bubble may need to self- isolate for 14 days before returning to school. The school will contact Public Health who will advise the school on who should self isolate.
• If the person tests negative for Covid-19 they may return to school if they are feeling well enough.

 

What will happen if my child has symptoms of COVID 19?

• If you think your child may have been exposed to or has coronavirus, or if your child receives a positive test result for coronavirus, please contact the school on 02072538144 at the earliest opportunity. They should remain at home and self-isolate for 7 days. Please follow the Government guidance on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

 

 

Drop Off and Pick Up Information for September 2020

Children from Year 1 to Year 6 return on Monday 7th September. Nursery and Reception children will be given a staggered start date.

EYFS

 

 

Key Stage 1

Key Stage 2