Downshall Primary School

Dear Parents,

Re: A phased opening of school from 3^rd June 2020

The government has asked all schools to prepare to reopen in June. Confirmation from the government of whether or not schools will open, which is dependent on the rate of infection, is likely to be decided during the last week of May.

The school will not open for Reception or Year 1 before the autumn term 2020

I met with the school governors on 19^th May 2020 to discuss the proposal of opening the school in June. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the children and staff. We do not feel that it would be safe to open on 1^st June to the Reception and Year 1 pupils. There are a number of reasons for this, chiefly because in their paper: implementing protective measures in education & childcare settings [published 11^th May 20] the DFE list eight protective measures that I do not feel Early Years or Year 1 children will be able to adhere to. These measures are:

1. Organise classrooms maintaining space between seats and desks;
2. Consider how play equipment is used ensuring it is appropriately cleaned between groups of children using it and multiple children do not use it simultaneously;
3. Remove soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean [such as those with intricate parts];
4. Seating children at the same desk each day if they attend on consecutive days;
5. Regular and appropriate hand washing;
6. Use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste;
7. Ensuring toilets do not become crowded by limiting the number of children who use the toilet facilities at one time;
8. Seeking to prevent the sharing of stationary and other equipment where possible. 

For a more detailed explanation for the reasoning for our decision I have put a copy of my risk assessment regarding the safety of Reception children and Year 1 starting school in June on the school website.

The Phased opening plan for older children in June and July 2020

The leadership team and governors have decided that we would be able to implement the protective measures set out by the DFE in their published guidance for Year 6 from June. We have therefore decided to open the school for children in Year 6 from Wednesday 3^rd June 2020. This will be dependent on the government deciding that it is safe to open schools. In line with the governments stated aim to open the school up to all year groups, we have decided that this cannot be achieved safely before the summer break. However the governors have decided that if all appears to be safe during the first wave of opening with Year 6 the school will then be open for Year 5 children from 29^th June 2020 and open to Year 4 children from 6^th July 2020.

The school governors are meeting again in July to assess how the phased reopening of school is going and to consider the plans for the opening of further year groups from September 2020. We know this will be a challenge for many families but feel that we must put the safety of children and staff first and monitor the process carefully at each phase of increased opening. 

Home learning Provision

For those children who will not be returning to school the home learning packs will continue. We understand that many parents may be anxious to send their children back at this time until the implications on the infection rate are clearer. This will be particularly true for vulnerable children with asthma or other medical conditions or those children living with vulnerable adults who are shielding.  Therefore the home learning packs will continue for children in Year 4-6 until the end of term too.

Risk Assessment for phased opening of the school

In order to minimise risk of the spread of infection I have put in place a number of measures. A copy of the risk assessment and control measures document is available on the school website.

Times of the school day altered

The times of the day have been altered to ensure that we meet the government’s requirement to avoid staff travelling on public transport at peak times. This will also avoid the school opening and closing times clashing with the school opposite and minimise crowding in local streets. School will be open from 9.20am and will start at 09.30am. The school day will end at 3.30pm and the gates will open from 3.20pm to minimise the congestion in the playground. A one way system will be put in place with the entrance at the Aldborough Road gate and the exit through the Meads Lane gate.

Register your child’s return before they can return

In order to ensure that the organisation and planning for the return to school is safe, parents are required to accept the terms and conditions of the phased return to school and register their child on line before their child can start school. This will ensure a safe and smooth return. If you would like your child to return to school then please complete the form. It is essential that you complete this form before your child can start school. If you require help or have any questions with regards to this process then email or call the school office.  You will be emailed with confirmation of registration and a provisional start date.

Key Worker & Vulnerable Children

The school will remain open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children. If you would like your child to attend school from June and both parents are key workers then you will need to register your child using the same form above. Even if your child is currently attending the key worker class, you will need to register them for the June provision to confirm you agree to the new and enhanced protective measures being put in place.  However the key worker provision is open to children across year groups. Key worker parents will be asked to share with us what role they have to ensure that they meet the governments’ definition of key workers. 

I really appreciate parents support with the measures we have put in place. When dealing with such serious matters as the health and safety of our children, families and staff it is essential that we take every measure to minimise risk. This is a challenge for us all but we know that families have lost loved ones to this pandemic. We want to ensure that we take every precaution to avoid further spread of infection, particularly to those vulnerable and most at risk in our community.

If you would now like to register your child to return to school, click here to complete the form.  The office will contact you with more information.

Yours sincerely,

Mr I Bennett

Headteacher