Message for Parents: Return to School in September 2020
July 5th 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
With two weeks to go until the end of this summer term, I would like to update you on our plans for September 2020. The government has announced this week that many rules can now been relaxed, including that of ‘social distancing’. However, we all know that Covid-19 has not gone away and so, we have put many measures in place in school to enable all pupils to return to school for the start of the new academic year.
Returning to school is going to be a little strange and a little different for now but these things have been put in place to keep our students and our staff as safe as they possibly can be.
We have provided below the information you need for your child to return to school. Please read this information thoroughly alongside the risk assessment on the school website.
Your child should not attend school if they or a household member are displaying coronavirus symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus are recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
So that we can be confident that all staff and pupils on the school premises do not have a fever (apyrexial), we ask, where possible, you take your child’s temperature before they leave home. For further information about symptoms and self-isolation, please read ‘COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection’.
Can my child be tested for coronavirus?
Yes. If your child is aged 5 or over, a test can be arranged through the NHS 111 coronavirus symptoms checker.
What happens if my child tests positive for coronavirus?
Please inform the school straight away. Your child must self-isolate at home for 7 days. People in the same household must self-isolate for 14 days.
The rest of your child’s group will be sent home and advised to isolate for 14 days.
The other household members of that wider group will not need to self-isolate unless the child they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms.
What is the school doing to reduce risk?
The school has implemented a risk assessment which has been developed in consultation with staff, governors and the Local Authority. This plan outlines the measures we will take to minimise risk and will be regularly reviewed. A copy is available on the school website. We will reduce risk as much as possible, but, as with public spaces, we cannot guarantee full protection from the virus at this time.
What time should my child arrive at school?
Pupils should arrive at school anytime between 08:50- 09:30. The start time has been staggered to enable social distancing. Further details will be sent out nearer the time once transport have informed school.
- Pupils should arrive between 08:50 - 09:30.
- Escorted transport are working on their procedures for September and will be in touch in due course.
- If bringing your own child to school, only one adult should accompany each child.
- Parents/Carers must not enter the school grounds (including the car park) under any circumstances
- If driving, parents/carers are encouraged to park away from school and walk.
- A one-way system has been set up on the premises for your child and they will be met by a member of the support team staff. Pupils will enter at the double green gate and follow the pedestrian path. They will enter the school through the sports college entrance.
- Parents/Carers should closely observe the government’s social distancing measures when walking near School and surrounding areas.
What should my child wear?
Your child should wear school uniform which should be freshly laundered each day.
What does my child need to bring?
Lightweight coat or cagoule which they will keep on the back of their chair. A clearly named water bottle. A fully disposable packed lunch (if not receiving lunch from school). No lunchboxes, please
.
What should my child leave at home?
Personal belongings, e.g. toys, books, pencil case and stationery. We are asking that students do not bring in items from home. Mobile phones must stay at home as we will not be collecting items in off pupils to look after them during the day so no valuables are to be brought into school.
What will my child do in school?
Initially, when we return to school, our focus will be to ensure that our students are safe, settled and emotionally ready to return to everyday school activities. They will spend a number of days with their form tutors and have carefully planned activities to help them transition back to school and to support their well-being.
The regular school timetable will begin when we feel the whole school community are ready for it. Pupils will continue to remain in their own rooms, as far as possible, and the staff will move around school. This will limit the amount of ‘others’ your child will come into contact with and as far as possible, we will keep them working/socialising within their own year group/bubble.
Will my child have time outdoors?
Your child will have regular access to the school grounds. As far as possible your child will only mix with their own year group in their designated space.
How should I communicate with the school?
Parents/Carers are not permitted to enter the school building. All communication with school should be done by email or telephone: 0151 606 9440 schooloffice@claremount.wirral.sch.uk
In emergency situations, where face to face appointments are the only option, this will be arranged by appointment only so that adequate social distancing arrangements can be made.
What time does my child finish school?
Pick up from school may be staggered and therefore you will be sent information nearer the time re. allocated drop off and pick up times.
What is the collection procedure?
- All children must be collected by an adult or escorted transport.
- Parents/Carers should not arrive before their allocated pick up time.
- Only one adult should accompany each child.
- Parents/Carers should avoid bringing siblings who are not attending school.
- If parents/carers have no choice but to bring other children with them, they must not be allowed in school grounds.
- If driving, parents/carers are encouraged to park away from school and walk to the school gate where you will be met by a member of the support team.
- Parents/Carers must observe social distancing whilst waiting.
- Pupils will be brought to the gate by staff and handed over to parent/carer.
- The car park will only be open for the escorted transport mini buses and taxis.
- Parents/Carers must not enter the school grounds under any circumstances.
What else can I do to prepare my child for coming to school?
- Talk to your child about the importance of hand hygiene: washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water.
- Talk to your child about managing coughs and sneezes using the 'Catch it, bin it, kill it' approach.
- Talk to your child about respecting the personal space of others, keeping their distance and not touching other people outside of their family.
- Talk to your child about how different school will be at the moment; that they may not see their friends or their usual teachers.
- Talk to your child about expectation of behaviour and following school rules at all times to ensure their safety and everyone’s safety e.g. that they must remain in the same classroom and not leave without permission.
- Read the risk assessment on the school website so that you are clear about the protective measures we are implementing.
- Watch the video on the school website to start to familiarise your child with the one-way system around school.
On Wednesday 8th July 2020, your child’s form tutor will be in contact to tell you who their form tutor will be for the next academic year. For the remainder of this week, your present form tutor will continue to contact you and answer any questions and then next week (Monday 13th –Friday 17th July 2020) your child’s new form tutor will make contact and introduce themselves.
In September 2020, staff return to school on Tuesday 1st September for a staff Inset training day.
On Wednesday 2nd September 2020: Year 7 and Year 8 pupils will return.
On Thursday 3rd September 2020: all pupils return to school.
I hope the above information is useful and relieves some of the anxieties you may be having re your child returning to school. I will update you with further guidance as it comes into school. Please don’t hesitate to email the school office should you have any questions and your Head of Year will get back to you asap.
Yours sincerely,
K. Webster
Kim Webster
Headteacher
