COVID-19 – Important information regarding proposed re-opening of schools
Information on the proposed reopening of schools for identified year groups from Monday 1 June. The information provided is relevant to all parents and will give you an understanding of the measures we are putting in place to ensure the safety of both children and staff.
Letter From The Chair Of Governors and Headteacher
Dear Parents
As you know we are working towards potentially welcoming some of our children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 and children of key workers back to school from 1 June. Having said this, we understand that the government are not due to make a final decision on the return date until next Thursday (28 May) and so our plans remain subject to any further guidance or decisions that are made in the next week.
Over the past few weeks staff have been working on proposals to be able to reopen in line with guidance issued by the Department for Education and teaching unions in order to protect the children and staff as much as possible. All staff have been consulted on these proposals as have the full governing body.
Find below the latest draft risk assessment that we have undertaken which sets out the steps that we will be taking to mitigate each risk area. This also includes all the new procedures that we will be following. Please do take the time to read this and familiarise yourselves with the information so that you are aware of the changes that are going to be made to the way in which we work.
One of the key principles of reopening the school is that children will remain in “bubbles” throughout the week with the same adult or adults. There will be no movement between the bubbles in order to minimise the risk of cross contamination between groups. We have considered how best to ensure that this is the case at all times. Teachers normally have an afternoon per week to plan learning, prepare lessons and assess children’s progress and time is usually covered by other teachers/TAs from different classes but this cannot now be achieved whilst maintaining the class bubbles. Therefore, in order that teachers can continue to provide support for pupils both on site and at home for the present the school will be opening on Mondays to Thursdays only. School will be closed on Fridays to all children, except those of keyworkers.
Home learning will continue to be set for Fridays for all classes including those who have been in school from Monday to Thursday.
We have also decided to use Monday 1 June as a rescheduled teacher training day in order to allow all staff to come into school to ensure they are fully familiar with all of the processes and layouts ahead of the children returning. The year groups being invited to return to school will then start on Tuesday 2 June.
We know that this is going to feel very different for parents, children and staff but it is important that everyone follows all of the processes collectively. We would appreciate it if parents could talk to their children in the days leading up to their return to school about the way in which the new routines will work so that they have some preparation before they arrive back at school.
We want parents to feel comfortable that we are taking all the steps we can to protect our children and our staff and if you have any concerns or would like to discuss any aspect about your child’s return then please either send an email to admin5201@we-learn.com or call the school mobile during working hours on 07881 010552. During out of work hours you can leave a message and Mrs Dean will get back to you to discuss your concerns.
We are very much looking forward to beginning to welcome children back to Wolverton at the appropriate time with the overriding priority of keeping all children and staff safe and we will be in touch again next week following further government announcements to reconfirm the opening arrangements.
Your sincerely,
Zanna Patchett, Chair of Governors and Marjorie Dean, Headteacher