Atherstone district head on 'working plan' for school return in September

WOOD END PRIMARY: WE'RE STICKING BY USUAL ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL FOR MANDATORY START TO NEW SCHOLASTIC YEAR

GUIDELINES TO INCLUDE KEEPING CHILDREN WITHIN THEIR YEAR GROUPS OR BUBBLES WHERE POSSIBLE AND MINIMAL MIXING ON ROUTE TO SCHOOL

THE HEADTEACHER of an Atherstone district primary school has outlined plans for the return of pupils at the start of the new academic year.

In this month's newsletter to parents, Wood End Primary School head Moira Cross explains she has received Government guidance about starting back in September but is yet to turn this into "a workable plan" that can be shared.

However, she does outline "some of the key points" prior to her intention to send "official plans" this week.

The Government set out its plans to keep children in class or year-sized "bubbles" when all pupils return to school full-time in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Mrs Cross said: "From September, school will be mandatory.

"All children will be expected to be in school every day and we will follow our usual attendance procedures and protocols.

"The children will be in class groups and these groups will not mix with any other group.

"They will be in their classroom, in designated zones at playtimes and lunchtimes.

"We will also be limiting the movement of staff between each group.

"We will be staggering the start times and collection times for the children however in the guidance it was clear that we cannot reduce the overall teaching time.

"For families with more than one child, you will arrive at the earliest time for your family and collect at the latest time, to ensure all children receive their entitlement.

"The school bus will be running in September. There will be expectations for children to sit in class groups to minimise mixing and social distancing will need to be applied when waiting for the bus.

"Children will be expected to be in full uniform from the start of term. Trainers will not be permitted."

Mrs Cross explains that while wraparound care – provided by The Hub – is permitted under the guidance, there are still strict guidelines with regard to children mixing with each other.

"We will be asking parents about their needs for September and only then can we decide whether we can safely operate our provision within the guidelines set out by the government," she added.

A lack of alternative transport arrangements for pupils could jeopardise the Government's plan of maintaining year-group "bubbles" in England's schools in September, a think tank suggests.

An analysis by the Education Policy Institute says the plan is likely to prove "unworkable" because of limited transport options available to pupils.

A "significant number of pupils" are likely to mix with students from other year groups – and even other schools – on their journeys to and from school from September, EPI has warned.

Meanwhile, Ofsted will begin visiting schools as they reopen in September to "reassure" parents about their child's return to education.

The education watchdog said the visits aim to establish how schools are "getting back up to speed" after being closed to most pupils for up to six months.

But one union said school leaders were concerned these could become a "distraction" as they handle the issues caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The visits will not be the same as inspections, Ofsted said, and education settings will not receive a judgment or grade afterwards.

Instead, inspectors will "work collaboratively" with school and college leaders, with the outcomes published in a "brief" letter to parents explaining what steps are being taken to help children back into full-time education.

Normal inspections, which result in schools and colleges receiving a grade and judgment, are planned to return in January 2021.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has unveiled his much-anticipated detailed plan for how to get all children in all-year groups back to the classroom in the autumn term after up to six months at home.

Here Nub News explains the main points from the Department for Education guidance:

- How will the number of contacts between children and staff be minimised? Schools in England have been told to keep classes or whole year groups apart in separate "bubbles". Primary schools are encouraged to have bubbles that include a whole class. Schools have also been advised to stagger break and lunch times, as well as start and finish times, to keep groups apart and avoid creating busy corridors, entrances and exits. - How are children expected to get to school?

Students have been advised to keep their use of public transport to a minimum in the autumn.

Parents, staff and pupils will be encouraged to walk or cycle to school if at all possible - and schools have been told to consider using "walking buses" to reduce the use of public transport.

On dedicated school buses, the "one-metre plus" social distancing rule will not be required. Instead, schools should consider whether pupils can be grouped in their "bubbles" on the designated transport.

- What activities are likely to be avoided in the autumn?

Schools should avoid large gatherings, such as assemblies or collective worship with more than one group. The advice also says singing, wind and brass playing should not take place in larger groups, such as school choirs and ensembles, as there may be an additional risk of infection. Students will be asked to sit at forward-facing desks, rather than face-to-face at circular tables. - What measures will be taken if there is a Covid-19 case in school?

By the autumn, all schools will be provided with a small number of testing kits that they can give to parents collecting a child who has developed symptoms.

The whole school, or all pupils in a year group, may have to self-isolate at home if a school has two or more confirmed coronavirus cases within a fortnight.

But the guidance insists that school closures "may not be necessary" if there are a number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 on site if schools implement the recommended controls.

If there is an outbreak, mobile testing units will be sent to schools to test anyone who has been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

- What happens if there is a local lockdown?

Every school will need to plan for the possibility of a local lockdown to ensure education continues. The Government expects schools to have the capacity to offer immediate remote education if there is a local lockdown - or if a group of pupils need to self-isolate. Schools should have a strong contingency plan in place for remote education by the end of September. - Do children have to attend school in September?

School attendance will be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term, which means parents could face fines if they decide to keep their child off school.

Last week, Mr Williamson said families may face financial penalties if they keep their children at home, unless there is a "good reason" for the absence.

It is down to school heads to record whether an absence is unauthorised.

- Will the curriculum and exams look different in the next academic year?

Substantial modification to the curriculum may be needed at the start of the year so teaching time can be prioritised to address significant gaps in pupils' knowledge. Pupils starting secondary school in Year 7 in September may ned to be taught essential knowledge and skills from the primary school curriculum to address gaps in English and maths. - What will happen to breakfast and after-school clubs?

The guidance says schools should consider resuming any breakfast and after-school provision from the start of the autumn term to support working parents and ensure vulnerable children have healthy meals.

Schools should look at how they can make the provision work alongside their wider protective measures, including keeping children within their year groups or bubbles where possible.

But if it is not possible to maintain the bubbles used during the school day, then schools should instead use small, consistent groups, the advice says.

There will be another government announcement on August 11.