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Return to school for all pupils - September 2020
We have been working hard over the last few months to make sure that school is a safe place for your children when they return. In the last few days we have finalised our plans and trained the staff in the new routines and procedures. I am now in a position to share these with you. We have made sure that we follow all of the latest government guidelines. This letter outlines the things we have put in place in response to COVID-19.
There is nothing we want more than to welcome our children and their families back to school. As Executive Headteacher of All Saints Multi Academy Trust it is my job, on behalf of the Board of Directors to work out how we can safely do that.
We have put together a plan for the return of all children to school. Hopefully you are all aware of School Rule number 3 – ‘Look out for the safety of everyone’. Our school rules are not just for the children to follow but also for the staff, parents and visitors to school. Therefore, I need to make sure that when we open the schools it is safe for everyone and we minimise the risk of COVID-19. Our Mission Statement hasn’t changed; our ethos is the same but things will need to look different.
Phases
To reduce risk, the government have stipulated that children will be kept in separate groups
at all times. These groups are sometimes called Bubbles. These groups will be our usual phases and the children will not mix with any other groups of children in school.
Social Distancing
Social distancing has become the new norm and we are getting more and more used to staying 2m apart from people outside our own homes. The government know that, ‘unlike older children and adults, early years and primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff’. In deciding to bring all children back to schools, they are taking that into account. We cannot, and will not expect children to social distance from the other children in their phases and with those adults in school. We will do all that we can to keep the groups of children apart with zoned lunch and play times etc.
Attendance
All children are expected to return to school in September unless they have COVID-19 symptoms or need to self-isolate in line with governments guidelines. If your child cannot attend school, please contact the office in the usual way.
New routines and expectations
We want you to be aware of some of the new routines and expectations. These have been successful since our partial opening on 1st June 2020.
Arriving at school
Children will be able to arrive in school between 8:40am and 9am. Please do not arrive at school before this time. Arriving during this 20 minute period will ensure a staggered start.
Collecting your children
You can collect your child anytime between 3:10 and 3:30. The children will be on the playground waiting for you so that we don’t have parents waiting and congregating. You can arrive, collect your child and go without having to wait. This will reduce the number of adults on the school site. Please do not arrive before 3:10 and if you collect your child by 3:30 you will not be late.
Lunch Arrangements
Lunch arrangements will revert to the usual arrangements before lock down. If your child has school dinners this will be a cold lunch for the first week of term before reverting to hot meals from the second week.
What we will do to keep your child safe:
- Children should wear their PE Uniform all day on PE days (days for PE to follow);
- When working indoors, windows will be opened to ventilate classrooms and doors left open to eliminate touching of handles
- The outside environment will be utilised as much as possible as guidance has indicated that this reduces the risk of infection
- Only one parent is allowed on site for pick up/drop off, and parents on site need to observe social distancing;
- Pick up and drop off routines must be strictly adhered to including the gate and door you must use (this will be clearly signposted);
- Parents will be asked to stand behind the lines on the floor and send their children into school;
- Children will be directed to wash their hands regularly and encouraged not to touch their face;
- There will be no after school clubs until further notice;
- A Recovery Curriculum, supporting mental health and well-being will be delivered in place of normal academic studies during the first three weeks;
- There will be an increase in cleaning schedules across school;
- Queries to the school office should be by telephone or email if possible;
- The school will only permit visitors to access the school building where remote working is not possible;
- If a child becomes ill they will be isolated in another room until their parents collect them, (please ensure we have up-to-date contact details).
I hope that you all appreciate the difficulty we are in with all of this, and that much of the above has been stipulated by the government. It is not what we want. At All Saints, we talk about the ‘my child test’ and I ensure you that I approach all of this with that in mind, thinking about my own grandson going back to school. We will do everything in our power to support you and your child/children at this difficult time and I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of everyone in our school community and thank you for your continued support.
We will do our best to communicate with you as effectively as possible. The website is the best place to get the latest information.
We look forward to seeing all our children in Year 1 – Year 6 on Monday 7th September 2020. Reception and Nursery children will have already received their start date.
Stay safe everybody,
Mr Lassetter
Executive Headteacher
Click here to download the teachers class list for 2020-2021
School Uniform / PE Kit
From September children will need to wear their PE uniform to school all day on the days they have PE. In September we will let you know the days your child will be have PE. PE uniform is just as important as school uniform and we expect all children to wear the correct clothing, including a PE t-shirt with the school logo on.
Click here for details of the PE uniform
PSHE
You will be aware that as a part of your child’s education at All Saints Multi Academy Trust we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through our Social, emotional Learning and our PSHE curriculum. This helps to give our children the knowledge, understanding and life skills to live happy, safe and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
From September 2020 the department for Education is introducing compulsory Relationships Education and Health Education for all primary schools.
What does the new guidance mean?
The new guidance focuses on healthy relationships and keeping children safe in the modern world. It also covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding and healthy relationships. Learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, will give young people the information, to form positive safe and fulfilling relationships. This will support them to take responsibility for their own well-being and life choices. All of the sessions will be age- appropriate and meet the needs of all the pupils in the class.
How will this be delivered?
This guidance will form part of our schools new PSHE curriculum. All teaching in PSHE will take place in a safe learning environment and will be underpinned by our school ethos and values. A variety of opportunities will be provided for the pupils to ask questions to further their understanding and to find out more about what affects them personally now and in the future.
What if I have questions?
To introduce parents to this concept and to ensure everyone is informed, we are reviewing our PSHE and Relationships sex education programme.
Click here to look at the guide for parents/carers. ‘Understanding Relationships and Health Education in your child’s primary school: a guide for parents’
The draft policy also contains important information for parents who may wish to withdraw their children from sex education lessons.
As a school community, we are committed to working with parents. If you would like to find out more, make any comments or provide feedback on this draft policy, please contact the school office alternatively, please provide your comments in an envelope for the attention of Mr Lasseter. The closing date for feedback is 17th July 2020.
Click here to see the draft proposed PSHE/RSE curriculum.