How will Coronavirus Risks be minimised?
The government guidance states that essential measures will include:
- Implementation of a thorough Risk Assessment. The plan will reflect any necessary changes to the school environment, its routines and procedures
- a requirement that people who are ill stay at home
- regular hand-washing
- enhanced cleaning arrangements
- active engagement with NHS Test and Trace
- consideration of how to reduce contacts and maximise distancing between those in school
How will you reduce contacts between classes?
Guidance from the Government states that children no longer have to social distance from each other within the classroom. Instead they must be kept apart from other groups (bubbles) in the school. Each bubble will be restricted to their classroom and own toilet area. They will not be able to mix with peers from other bubbles. Arrival times, play times and lunch times will all be staggered to avoid the mixing of bubbles. Likewise, outdoor play provision will also be timetabled to prevent bubbles mixing.
Will the children wear school uniform?
Yes, children will be wearing school uniform but we advise that this is washed regularly.
Does my child need to bring in a book bag?
All letters will be e-mailed to you and your child will carry home their library book.
Will staff be wearing PPE?
The Government advice suggests PPE will not be needed in most cases unless closer contact is needed e.g. an unwell child or a child who has hurt themselves. However, if staff feel more comfortable wearing PPE, I am happy for them to wear it.
Are children allowed to wear PPE?
This entirely up to you and your child. The school cannot take responsibility for when your child wears their mask.
Will there be daily checks on staff and children for high temperature?
Checking of temperatures will not take place in school. All families are asked to monitor themselves closely for any symptoms of Coronavirus. If you experience symptoms of Coronavirus, get a free NHS test. Don’t forget to notify the school
How will the school support children with new rules and expectations for behaviour?
Adaptations to our Behaviour Policy have been made. Behavioural expectations will continue to be followed. We will continue to communicate rules and expectations consistently, positively and regularly with all of our pupils. If at any time a risk assessment is compromised due to unsafe behaviours, parents will be contacted. A review will be carried out in order to best support pupils, staff and community to remain safe.
How will school lunches be served?
Meals prepared by the school kitchen/packed lunch) will be eaten in classrooms to avoid children and adults mixing with other bubbles.
Will Breakfast Club and After School Club be offered at this time?
We will not be offering these to start off with while we get used to the whole school coming back, however we will look at starting these up again as soon as possible.
Will children share resources as before? How will classrooms and equipment be cleaned after use?
Children will have individual resources allocated to them. Classrooms will be cleaned throughout the day. A full risk assessment and increased cleaning checklist will be implemented to support this heightened cleaning expectation.
Will children be encouraged to maintain handwashing?
Absolutely! This is a fundamental safety precaution that will be in place. There will be clear expectations for all pupils and staff to wash their hands several times per day. Hand sanister will also be available. This will include on arrival and on leaving the site as well as transition points throughout their school day. Staff will also meet these expectations.
When should I drop my child off at school?
In order to prevent unnecessary overcrowding, drop off and pick up times have been staggered. Classes have been allocated specific gates:
| Nursery | Reception | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Time | 9:00-9:15 | 8:45-9:00 | 9:00-9:15 | 8:30-8:45 | 8:30-8:45 | 8:45-9:00 | 8:45-9:00 | 8:30-8:45 |
| Gate | Nursery Gate | Reception Gate |
Adventure Playground Gate |
Reception Gate |
Adventure Playground Gate |
Front Gate | Front Gate | Front Gate |
You must go to the correct gate. When you are waiting, please queue up/down the street while social distancing with other parents. A member of staff will open the gate and welcome your child into the school. You must then leave the school gate and return home. As the pathways outside the school gates are quite narrow, we would like to ensure all pavement users including local residents are able to get past in a safe and socially distanced manner.
If you need to communicate with your child’s teacher, then please see the section below on communication.
Please help us by arriving anytime during this 15 minute window and at the correct gate as this will help to maintain safe distancing.
What if I am late?
To keep all of the different bubbles separated from each other, we really need children to arrive on time. This is why we have given you a 15-minute window. If you do not arrive during this window, then please wait patiently at the gate you have been allocated and a member of staff will let your child in. If you arrive after 9:15 am, then you will need to buzz for entry at the main gate.
What do I do if I have children in more than one year group?
If your child has brothers or sisters in the school, then please e-mail or call the school and we will be able to give you one time when all of the siblings will arrive and leave so that you will not be waiting outside the school.
Arrangements put in place for sibling collection from the Autumn Term remain in place. Please arrive at the agreed time.
How do I communicate with the school?
Please use support@st-scholasticas.hackney.sch.uk if you wish to communicate with your child’s teacher. Please put their name into the subject.
Your teacher will also contact you after school by phone if they need to speak to you about your child. They may be ringing from a number which will be withheld. If you need to speak to your teacher, then please call the school on 0208 985 3466 to arrange an appointment.
Can I come to the office?
At present the school remains closed to parents/carers and visitors. Please use the email address or telephone number above to contact the school.
When should I pick up my child from school?
| Nursery | Reception | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Time | 15:00 | 15:15 | 15:30 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:45 | 15:30 | 15:15 |
| Gate | Nursery Gate | Reception Gate |
Adventure Playground Gate |
Reception Gate |
Adventure Playground Gate |
Front Gate | Front Gate | Front Gate |
Please wait at the correct gate in a line down the street while socially distancing from those in front of you. Your teacher will come to the gate and tell your child to exit the school. Please leave straight away so that there is not a build-up of people at the gates. If you need to speak to your teacher, then please see the section on communication above.
What should I do if my child is ill?
If your child feels at all unwell, please do not send them to school. Report their absence in the usual way by calling the school office by 9:30 am.
What if someone develops coronavirus symptoms whilst attending school?
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
When a pupil or staff member develops coronavirus symptoms, they will be sent home and advised to self-isolate and get a test. Their fellow household members should also self-isolate and get a test if they display symptoms. Where the child, young person or staff member tests negative, they can return to their setting and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation. We will write to the parents of a bubble group advising them if any children or staff from their bubble have been sent home.
What if someone at St Scholastica’s tests positive for Coronavirus?
Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group, including the staff members supervising, will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for at least 10 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live within that group subsequently develops symptoms. We are observing guidance on infection prevention and control, which will reduce risk of transmission, closure of the whole setting will not generally be necessary. The school will contact Public Health England who will advise on the course of action to be taken
The School’s full Risk Assessment can be found here: Risk Assessment for opening the school September 2020