School opening - 4th January 2021

Happy New Year, and hopeful wishes for all our families!  

 

Last year was an incredibly difficult one in lots of ways and for lots of reasons, but I am so proud to be part of a community that has pulled together, and chosen to be kind to each other during such an unsettling time.  Whilst there is lots of good news to celebrate as we head into 2021; improved testing capability, increasing availability of vaccines, and more knowledge about how to keep as safe as possible, we still face lots of uncertainty. In the face of continued challenge, it is important to refocus on our principles as shared in September: 

 

 

 

What went well in autumn term? 

 

Although we had 5 incidences of bubble closure, all of these came from contacts outside school.  We had no reports of pupils or staff who, after being sent home as part of a bubble, went on to develop symptoms or have a positive test. 

 

What are our main challenges next week? 

 

As I write (9pm on Saturday 2nd January 2021), I still expect to be opening as planned on Monday 4th January, but I need to make everyone aware that the Department of Education may still change their advice over the weekend.  Professional organisations are also working on advice for their members. I appreciate that this is extremely unhelpful, and ask for your continued patience.  The only thing that I can promise is that we will always have the best interests of our whole school community at heart.  There is lots of conflicting information about the new variant Covid-19, and understandably, this is leading to increased concern amongst our school community. 

 

How can we manage these challenges? 

 

• School communication – we will inform you if the situation definitely changes.  Please ensure that you keep up-to-date with emails from school and messages on Class Dojo as changes beyond my control may be at short notice. 

• Family communication – please let us know as soon as possible if you have a member of your household who may have Covid-19 symptoms.  If you have any concerns or are unsure about anything, please email and a member of staff will try to help. 

• Additional safety measures in school (see below for detail) 

• Contingency plans – please be prepared to have your child doing remote learning if required. 

 

How can I help as a parent of a Frenchwood pupil? 

 

• Each one of us needs to take responsibility for our safety and that of those around us – we sometimes forget about social distancing, and it’s up to us all to offer polite reminders when needed, both inside and outside school. 

• Engage with Track and Trace if you have tested positive, and insist that members of your household follow the current guidance. 

 

What about breakfast club and after school activities? 

 

Breakfast club will operate as usual, taking into account our additional safety measures.  Unfortunately, after school clubs are suspended for the week beginning 4th January 2021, pending further advice.  We will restart these as soon as possible as it is particularly important for our children to be able to enjoy these enrichment activities.  Children already booked for sessions will keep their places. 

 

What additional measures will be in place? 

 

In Key Stage 2: 

• classes will be separate from each other – previously they operated as phase ‘bubbles’; 

• desks will be arranged in pairs, facing the front of the class; 

• children will remain in their places to reduce the number of contacts they make, and reduce the number of pupils sent home in the event of a positive test; 

• adults will remain at least 2 metres away from each other and children, except for brief periods (for example when giving individual feedback), when they will be wearing protective visors; 

• adults will cleanse hands when moving from one child to another; 

• break times will be mainly indoors, with allocated outdoor sessions for each class; 

• contact sports (football, basketball) will not take place until further advice has been received; 

 

In EYFS and Key Stage 1: 

• adults will ensure that they remain at least 2 metres from each other; 

• adults will remain 2 metres away from children whenever this is reasonable, and where this cannot be guaranteed, will wear protective visors; 

• adults will cleanse hands when moving between groups of pupils; 

• adults will support children in maintaining high standards of hygiene 

 

Across school: 

• all staff will remain in their designated areas; 

• staff will remain 2 metres away from each other at all times; 

• those members of staff who are required to move across school as part of their jobs, will do so as infrequently as possible, for short periods, wearing protective masks/visors and cleanse hands often. 

 

In what circumstances would my child not be able to attend school? 

 

• If they or a member of their household needs to self-isolate due to a positive Covid test. 

• If they are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, either in school or elsewhere. 

• If school is instructed to close to pupils, other than those who are critical workers or have other reasons why it is important that they remain in school. 

• If staffing levels are insufficient to provide a safe environment. 

 

If school is closed due to local restrictions, my child would still need to attend 

 

This is because I am a critical worker – please click here 

 

My child needs to remain in school for other reasons – please click here 

 

If my child is not in school, what will their remote learning look like? 

 

Remote Learning at Frenchwood 

 

 

Further Information 

 

Information for parents and carers about schools reopening in January 2021 

 

Guidance for households with possible Covid-19 infections