We are writing to you to outline what parents and pupils can expect when we open our gates more fully next month.  We are currently aiming to do this on 8^th June.  However, please look out for any updated notices should anything change in the meantime due to the very fluid nature of this situation.

Preparation for return:

We realise that many parents and carers may be struggling with the idea of sending their child back into school, especially with the threat of another outbreak. This genuine concern about your child's well-being is entirely understandable and so we will do our best to reassure you and talk through any specific worries you may have.

We have all had a very different way of life for a number of months - and it is important that we understand that life will not immediately return to normal.

There's going to be a long period of adjustment, where our lives gradually move towards something that looks like 'normal'.  You can support your child/ren with this transition back to school by reinforcing this message at home.

Alongside this, you should try to give time and space for them to talk about their feelings, as children who aren't emotionally settled don't learn well.

Many children will have anxiety about:

• leaving their parents and returning to school
• what happens if they catch coronavirus at school
• the safety of the families and siblings they're leaving behind

So please take the time to talk to your child/ren about their worries – and we will do the same at school.

In order to address many of their questions, we will make sure we introduce our new classroom routines straight away - but that doesn't mean we expect our pupils to work in the same way as they did before school closed.  Bu, children feel safer - and less anxious - when they know what to expect.  So staff will be spending some time introducing our new routines, explaining how work will be taught and what the shape of the day will look like.  Consistency will be key here.

Please let us know if your child/ren has suffered a serious illness or bereavement in their family so that we can keep an eye on them and offer help.

Bearing all of this in mind, children are often more resilient than we realise! 

And remember: Continue to promote good hygiene at home and at school, and be very clear about how good hygiene is important and will keep us all safe.

If your child is shielding (clinically extremely vulnerable – those with a GOV. letter) or lives with someone who is shielding then they should NOT be in school.  Please let us know if this is the case.

Returning to school:

1. We realise that getting to school and staying awake all day may be an achievement for some pupils (and staff!) after the many weeks of lockdown – so we will start with two half days for our youngest children. The days will also be shorter in order to allow for separate drop off and collection times for different groups.

ALL YEAR GROUPS From 8^th June (subject to change):

Our already attending children (key worker/vulnerable) need to continue to arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am

Year 6 children need to arrive between 9am and 9.15am

Year 1 children need to arrive between 9.30 and 9.45am

Reception children need to arrive between 9.45 and 10am

YEAR 6 AND VULNERABLE/KEY WORKER PUPILS From 8^th June (subject to change):

Year 6 children are to be collected at 3pm (please let us know if you wish for your child to walk home alone)

Vulnerable/key worker children continue to be collected at 3.15pm

RECEPTION AND YEAR 1 PUPILS For 8^th and 9^th June ONLY:

Reception children are to be collected at 12.30pm (they will have their lunch in school)

Year 1 children are to be collected at 1pm (they will have their lunch in school)

RECEPTION AND YEAR 1 PUPILS For 10^th June onwards:

Reception children are to be collected at 2.30pm

Year 1 children are to be collected at 2.45pm

PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE ON SITE EARLIER THAN YOUR ALLOCATED TIME – we are trying to prevent crowds of parents gathering on site and allow people to maintain social distancing of 2 metres.

1. Your child will be taught in the same classroom with the same group of peers every day, and will have access to the same outdoor space – which will be separate from the other groups in school.  They will be told which is their base classroom on their first day back:  Year 6 pupils are to be split between year 4, 6 and 5 classrooms.  Key worker/vulnerable children are working in the hub and the year 3 classroom.  Year 1 will be split between the year 2 and year 1 classrooms and the mentoring room.  Reception children will be spread out between the enrichment room and reception classroom, and their outdoor space.

1. When you arrive with your child at your designated time, you will see markers/cones set up along the path up towards the black pedestrian gate – please wait at a marker behind the person in front of you to ensure you are staying 2m apart.  Pupils will then be met at the gate by a staff member and welcomed into school.  No parents will be allowed onto the playground.  The same routine will be in place for collection – again, at your designated time.

1. Please do not gather on the path or at the gate to talk to other parents -  it is vital that social distancing is still maintained to try to keep everyone safe. 

1. Following Government guidance, only 1 parent/carer can escort a child to/collect a child from school.

1. Water bottles need to be in school daily – but must go home for cleaning every day.  This applies to lunchboxes too if required.

1. We will not be asking pupils to wear school uniform, as many of them may well have outgrown trousers etc.  However, we would like them to wear a school jumper or cardigan, to help remind everyone that we need to follow the rules of the setting.  The rest of their clothing should be comfortable and allowed to get a little dirty, as we will be outside for  a lot of the time.  It is vital that clothing is changed/washed before coming back to school the next day please.  Children can wear trainers; or if they choose not to, will need to bring a pair with them each day for their physical activity.  With the sunny weather we would also suggest you apply sun cream to your child in the morning, and send them in with a hat.

1. Children will be provided with their own stationary set and desk/chair to work from when inside.

1. Please do not let your child bring in any toys etc. from home.  No bags are needed either – only a lunchbox, water bottle, trainers in a small bag, coat.

Precautions:

• If anyone has a cough/temperature/loss of smell or taste/feels unwell at school, they will be sent home. If you are contacted to ask you to collect your child, please do so as promptly as possible.  They will then need to self-isolate for 14 days, or until tested negative for Covid-19.
• If a symptomatic child is waiting to be collected, they will be supervised in a separate room by staff wearing PPE, with the door closed and a window open. If this child/adult needs to go to the toilet before being collected, they will use a separate toilet and it will be thoroughly cleaned/disinfected afterwards before anyone else can use it.
• If a child or adult shows symptoms and tests positive for CoVid-19, then the whole group that the child/adult was in will be sent home and must self-isolate for 14 days.
• If other cases are then also confirmed at the school, then PHE will advise the school on next steps/possible closure.

The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

➢ a new continuous cough;

➢ a high temperature;

➢ a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

We hope that together, with all of this and more in place, we can reduce any risks to your child as much as possible - and we thank you in advance for your cooperation with these measures.

If at any point before June 8^th, or indeed afterwards, you change your mind about sending your child to school, please let us know immediately so we can update out registers.

If the start date of 8^th June changes due to any further announcements from Government or other unavoidable issue, we will communicate this to you at the earliest possible convenience

We very much look forward to welcoming back those who are able to return on 8^th June J