Dear Parent/ Carer,

 

RE: Returning to School this term

 

Schools in England will reopen for all children on Monday March 8^th. All our staff are really looking forward to seeing them again. I am sure there are lots of parents who are very relieved too! I would like to thank parents for all your efforts with supporting home schooling during the past weeks.

 

Every effort will now be made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and staff when they return. We want to see our children back at school and I hope this plan gives you the necessary confidence that this can be achieved.

 

Bubble groups

 

All our children will return to school in the same consistent class groups but they will be able to mix with other children in their year group during recreational times. The rationale behind this is to reduce the potential for virus transmission and to ensure that the school can quickly self-isolate a group of children in the event of an infection.

 

All year groups will be kept separate by staggering the school’s timetable. Please see the table below for when your child will start and finish the school day.

 

 

It is essential that children arrive and leave only at these times. If siblings have different arrival times they too must wait outside the school gate until it is there time to come in.

 

During the day each year group will also have slightly different times for break and lunch. When the children go out for play they will be given specific areas where they can play each day.

 

Hygiene Measures

 

All staff and children will wash their hands on arrival to school. They will continue to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser at different points during the day. At lunch time, when the children are outside playing, a team of cleaners will disinfect desks, surfaces and the children’s toilets. The school will also be cleaned thoroughly, in all areas, at the end of each day.

 

Children are not expected to rigidly keep social distance from each other but they will be encouraged to keep their distance from staff. Children will not be permitted to wear facemasks or face shields unless a doctor’s letter is provided that states that this is required.

 

Child is unwell

 

The Cornonavirus symptoms are a new continuous cough, high temperature and a loss of smell. If your child develops any of these symptoms at school or at home, or someone else in your household develops symptoms tell us immediately and arrange for the affected person to get a test. Your family household must also self-isolate until you receive the test result. Please then inform the school of the test result as soon as possible.

 

Parents

 

All parents are kindly asked not enter our school site at any time. To minimise contacts between parents we would like parents to wait in their cars, if they are driving, or to stand outside the school gate at a distance between each other. If parents wish to speak to a member of staff, a member of the senior leadership team will be on gate duty each day. There will also be a safe box for parents to drop payments or slips to the school office. Teachers will bring children to the school gate at the end of the school day and can talk briefly over the fence. If you have a concern or would like to discuss a matter in more detail, we ask that parents book a telephone appointment.

 

Uniform

 

All children must strictly return in school uniform. Our school uniform policy is as follows:

• Navy blue sweatshirt or cardigan with the new Wootey badge.
• Grey trousers, skirt or shorts
• White shirt or polo shirt (optional to have this with a school badge)
• White or grey socks for girls or grey tights. Grey or black socks for boys.
• Option to wear navy blue and white gingham dresses in the summer. Separate gingham blouses or skirts are not permitted.
• Children can wear small hairclips or bows. However, large Jo-Jo bows are not acceptable.
• Black shoes or all black trainers (Trainers that contain large logos or alternative coloured soles are not acceptable.)

Please note that we expect trousers, skirts and shorts to be grey. Children can bring their school bags and coats as normal. These will be stored in the children’s lockers. The children do not need to bring their own pencil cases. They do not need to bring in or store P.E kit. Children can come to school in their P.E kit and class teachers will notify you the days when P.E lessons are taught.

 

Breakfast and After School Provision

 

Our ‘Early Bird’ club will continue and we are able provide a breakfast snack and before school care for £3.25 a session. The children will be separated in to year table groups to avoid mixing with other children as far as possible. Please contact Mrs Rossiter in the school office for further information. The after school club at the Infant school will also be reopening. Please contact the Infant school for further details.

 

Is school attendance compulsory?

 

The government has stated that it is vital for all children to return to school in order to minimise, as far as possible, the longer term impact of the pandemic on children's education, well-being and wider development. School attendance will therefore be compulsory again and our usual rules on attendance will apply. We know that some of you will be anxious about your child returning to school, especially if you or a member of your household has been shielding. If you have concerns please contact the school office so a member of Senior Leadership Team can contact you and reassure you of the measures we are putting in place. This local authority guide attached with this letter also offers some helpful advice.

 

There is no school that can absolutely guarantee the safety of children and staff from this virus. However, we are confident that our school is and will continue to be a low risk environment. The safety measures and professionalism of our staff have ensured that we have safely operated with children throughout the worst weeks of this pandemic.

 

I would like to thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. We look forward to welcoming our children back and to providing them with the joy of school learning again. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr Tim O’Brien

Headteacher