Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline opening hours

The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline remains available to answer questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to education and children’s social care. Please listen carefully to the available options and select the most appropriate to your nursery, school, or college’s current situation.

Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline by calling:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm

Risk Assessment

As you are aware, there is an expectation from the DfE that there is easily accessible information on your website about the measures you are taking to keep you school “COVID-safe/secure”. I have reissued the executive summary document of our Risk Assessment with today’s bulletin, now including a hyperlink to the full Risk Assessment on the CMAT website should anyone wish to see it. Please make sure that this goes on to your website by the end of the week. This will ensure that you are covered from a DfE/Ofsted point of view’

https://www.aquinas-cmat.org/key-information/trust-policies/

Frequently Asked Questions (By Parents)

Entry into School

School will be open for drop off between 8.40 and 9.00, this will avoid a bottle neck. Children are to enter school via their designated entrance, wash their hands, then enter their classroom and sit in their allocated space.  Parents are to wait in the playground with their child until the member of staff on duty calls their child in. Only one adult per household allowed on the playground. The school gates will be locked at 9.00.

Breakfast Club

Unfortunately there will not be any breakfast club to begin with until I can establish which children will require this and whether we can provide this safely without mixing bubbles.

I do however hope to offer this provision and will let parents know as soon as possible.

My apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause.

School Uniform

Children are required to wear school uniform.  As PE will be taking place outside children will need a warm PE kit.  This should be black leggings or tracksuit bottoms, a school t-shirt and a warm hoodie.  In line with the schools Uniform Policy.

Bubbles

A bubble is a group of children who remain together within the school environment. Children will remain in the same bubble throughout this current situation; once they have been established.  Bubbles are to be no larger than one class.  Staff can now move between bubbles, however this will be minimised.

Handwashing

Children should wash their hands frequently.  Each class to display the handwashing protocol.  Hand sanitiser will also be available within school.  In addition, where possible, children should bring a small bottle of hand sanitiser with them.  This should be clearly labelled with their name and will then be kept on their desk.

Wiping down resources

Tables, handles and resources should be wiped down frequently.  Each class to display the wiping down protocol.  Each bubble will have a box of resources including spray, wipes and marigolds.

PPE Equipment

The Trust have sourced PPE equipment and this will be available within the room being used by each bubble.  This equipment is only to be used for sickness, first aid or intimate care.

First Aid

Wherever possible first aid should be administered within the classroom.  Each class will have some plasters, wipes and disposable gloves in addition to the PPE equipment.  As we need to reduce the movement around school wherever possible, if an ice pack is needed an adult should fetch, wipe down after use and put back in the fridge.

Assemblies and Collective Worship

There will be a daily act of Collective Worship.  There will be at least one assembly a week over teams.

Bookbags

Bookbags and PE Bags can be brought into school.

Library Books

All children will be issued with home readers or library books.

Breaktimes

Children will be allocated a space outside for break and lunchtime.  This will ensure that there is no cross over of the bubbles.  This may mean that we need to stagger break and lunch and the use of outside space.

Lunchtime

EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 will be eating their lunch in the hall.  There is enough space for us to be able to keep each bubble separate.  Within KS2 lunches will be eaten in the classrooms.  One member of staff will go to the kitchen and collect these.  If the children are bringing in their own lunchboxes this needs to be in a wipe down lunch box, If possible no fabric lunchboxes to be used.

Toilets

Each bubble will be allocated a set of toilets to use.  There will be a waiting spot outside for if the area is already occupied.

Doors

All internal doors will be propped open; where it is safe to do so.  This reduces the need to touch surfaces and increases ventilation.

Cloakrooms

Cloakrooms will be used.  Drop off and retrieval of coats needs to be supervised.

The Field

The field may be used during this time.  It could also be used by more than one bubble as long as they remain in different spaces.

End of the Day

At the end of the day children can be picked up between 3 and 3.15pm (Times have been allocated) Parents/Carers are to remain at a safe distance from the school building and the children will be sent to them.

School Office

Visits to the school office should be kept to a minimum.  Contact should be made by phone call or email wherever possible.

School Curriculum

When the children first return we will be carrying out assessments so that we can identify any gaps that may have developed.  Initially our curriculum focus will be on RE, English and maths. This includes the teaching of phonics and promoting a love of reading.  Our aim is to accelerate progress get the children ready for the next stage of their education.

Parents in School

Our current risk assessment does not allow any parents within the school building.  This means that if it is necessary to have a face to face meeting; this will need to be done either outside (weather permitting) or on a virtual platform.  If the current restrictions are not lifted by the time we would usually be offering parents’ meetings; these will also be done virtually.

What happens during your child’s day?

School opens at 8:45 am.

Lessons begin at 9:00 am.

Playtime is from 10:30-10:45 am.

Lunch varies for different year groups but mainly from 11:50-1:00pm.

The end of the school day is at 3:15pm.

Assemblies usually take place in the mornings.

What to do if you are not happy about something:

We hope that you are happy with the education our school provides for your child, but if you ever have any worries or concerns please see the class teacher or the Assistant Head of the Key Stage;

EYFS: Mrs Spencer

KS 1 Mrs Abel

KS 2 Miss O’Gorman.

If you are still not happy with the response, please see Mrs Dedman.

Mr D O’Brien is our Chair of Governors.