Phased return to school for some pupils
We are beginning the careful and phased process of bringing children back to school.
When the news was first announced we wrote to parents. The letter can be downloaded below. Please note that our plan is now confirmed (it is no longer a 'possible' return).
When the news was first announced we wrote to parents. The letter can be downloaded below. Please note that our plan is now confirmed (it is no longer a 'possible' return).
| Letter to Parents |
Briefing Papers |
The documents below give specific information for the groups of children returning to school.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We will add new questions as they arise. The newest questions will be added to the top of the list.
Will there be distancing in the classroom?
Young primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back to early years and schools, the government has taken this into account. We will work through the hierarchy of measures:
Which member(s) of staff will be with my child?
We have not yet finalised our staffing schedule for the next phase of schooling. It is rather complicated! We will let you know which member(s) of staff will be allocated to your child's bubble as soon as we are able to.
Can I have a list of which children will be in my child's 'bubble'?
With the exception of our key worker/ulnerable children bubbles, all other children will only be in a bubble with children from their own class. We won't be able to provide a list of children in each bubble due to our data protection responsibilities. We also would not be able to confidently let you knwo you will be in school because a number of parents remain unsure.
Can my child be in Group A because of my work pattern? Can my child be in a Group with a particular friend?
We are sorry that we are not able to respond to any requests for placement into particular 'bubbles', for any reason. These will be allocated alphabetically with just a few exceptions (mainly to ensure that siblings are in school on the same days). It is just too complicated and time-comsuming to attempt to do it any other way. By the end of term we could, potentially have over 800 students eligible to reurn to school, each with different preferences for friendships, days of the week and so on. We know that this is difficult for parents, and we know that there are some very genuinely good reasons for children being in a particular group. It just isn't possible from a logistical point of view.
Will there be any regular temperature checking of pupils?
No. The Government has advised that schools do not need to take children’s temperatures (unless we would normally do so due to feeling unwell). The guidance states that routine testing of an individual’s temperature is not a reliable method for identifying coronavirus.
Will teachers be wearing masks?
We are not requiring staff members to wear masks, except in specific circumstances (dealing with children who are unwell etc). That said, some staff may choose to wear masks – and we are awaiting further guidance aroud this.
Can my child return to school?
We are planning to open the school in a controlled and measured way. In the first two weeks of June, we intend to open school for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Children will attend on a part-time basis.
What about children in Nursery, and Years 2, 3, 4 and 5?
School will remain closed to children in those year groups until further notice. We will update you if this changes. In the meantime, we will continue to provide home learning activities for you.
What if my child is eligible but has siblings who are not?
Only children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 will be able to return. We will not be able to include siblings in different year groups unless those siblings are in a priority group, for example, the children of critical workers.
What if I have children who need to be dropped off or collected at different times?
If you have more than one child eligible to return, we can support you with this. Please contact us and we will work on a plan which will not need you to wait at school or leave and return.
Why can’t the children return full time?
The Government has asked us to limit the number of children in each class and to put in measures to ensure that groups do not mix. In order to achieve this, we will need more staff and more clever use of space. This would not be possible if we welcomed all those children back at the same time.
Our approach aims to limit numbers within the premises while ensuring that a good number of children will benefit from having some time in school.
Will my child be in Group A or Group B?
We will let you know which group your child is in. This will be based on alphabetical order, by surname. We will only make adjustments to ensure that siblings are in the same group. We will not be able to allow any swapping of groups.
Who will teach my child?
As far as possible, we want children to be taught by familiar staff members. It won’t be possible for every ’bubble’ to be taught by their usual classroom staff. We will only use members of the Pinner Park staff team. This will be a mix of teachers and teaching assistants.
Why are breakfast club and after-school club closed?
We are not able to operate these clubs because children from different ‘bubbles’ are not permitted to mix on the school site.
Will my child be able to see their friends?
Children will only be with other children in their same bubble. They will not be able to be with any other children on the school site, even if they are in on the same days.
Can my child wear a mask to school?
No. The Government guidance states that wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended.
Will you be ensuring that everyone maintains 2 metre distancing through the school day?
The Government recognises that, unlike adults, primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back, this is being taken into account.
We will be using a range of measures to reduce risk:
If my child is eligible, is it compulsory for them to attend school?
The Government is encouraging children in the eligible year groups and priority groups (such as children of critical workers) to attend, unless they are self-isolating or there are other reasons for absence (such as shielding due to health conditions).
We take the view that this is a parental choice based on all the information we are providing. We will respect your choice in this matter and we will not be issuing any fines for non-attendance at this time.
Will school be ‘normal’ for those children attending?
School will be a very different experience for those children attending. There will be a number of limitations to ensure that we minimise contact and mixing, and reduce the risk of infection. Classrooms will be rearranged – in older classes, children will be assigned a desk and resources for their sole use. They will not be allowed to circulate freely around the class or school. We will remove a number of resources from the classroom in order to reduce the risk of sharing.
Should I keep my child at home if they have an underlying health condition or live with someone in a clinically vulnerable group?
Children who are considered extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should continue to shield and should not attend school.
Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. A minority of children will fall into this category, and parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category.
Children and young people who live in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should not attend school.
Children and young people who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not extremely clinically vulnerable) can attend, if parents wish them to.
Can children be tested for the virus?
If your child is attending school, he or she will be eligible for testing if they become ill with coronavirus symptoms - as will members of their household. A positive test will ensure rapid action to protect their classmates and the staff at school.
Will school meals be available for children who are in school?
We will provide a packed lunch meal for any child who is in school, unless they bring in a packed lunch of their own. The meal will be eaten outside on dry days, otherwise in the classroom. We will not be using the school halls.
What if my child is unwell?
If your child is unwell, he or she should not attend school.
If your child, or anyone in your household, has symptoms of coronavirus then you must follow the government’s self-isolation rules. You can be tested to check.
The symptoms are:
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have any of these symptoms. Stay at home.
Why are you not keeping your usual opening hours?
We have made changes to our start and finish times, alongside processes for drop-off and collection times to keep children and families safe.
Start and finish times will be clearly communicated to parents and carers alongside any other new arrangements.
How will drop off and collection be managed?
Different classes in each year group will have a separate drop off and collection time. You may arrive on the school site up to 10 minutes before that time but we will ask you to maintain a 2 metre distance from other families at all times.
We will ask older children to come into school alone. For younger children one parent may accompany them.
We will have clear signage showing the route into school. Please follow these signs carefully.
We will ask children to line up observing 2 metre distances and we will have hoops and signs to help with this.
Young primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back to early years and schools, the government has taken this into account. We will work through the hierarchy of measures:
- avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms
- frequent hand cleaning and good respiratory hygiene practices
- regular cleaning of rooms and shared areas
- minimising contact and mixing
Which member(s) of staff will be with my child?
We have not yet finalised our staffing schedule for the next phase of schooling. It is rather complicated! We will let you know which member(s) of staff will be allocated to your child's bubble as soon as we are able to.
Can I have a list of which children will be in my child's 'bubble'?
With the exception of our key worker/ulnerable children bubbles, all other children will only be in a bubble with children from their own class. We won't be able to provide a list of children in each bubble due to our data protection responsibilities. We also would not be able to confidently let you knwo you will be in school because a number of parents remain unsure.
Can my child be in Group A because of my work pattern? Can my child be in a Group with a particular friend?
We are sorry that we are not able to respond to any requests for placement into particular 'bubbles', for any reason. These will be allocated alphabetically with just a few exceptions (mainly to ensure that siblings are in school on the same days). It is just too complicated and time-comsuming to attempt to do it any other way. By the end of term we could, potentially have over 800 students eligible to reurn to school, each with different preferences for friendships, days of the week and so on. We know that this is difficult for parents, and we know that there are some very genuinely good reasons for children being in a particular group. It just isn't possible from a logistical point of view.
Will there be any regular temperature checking of pupils?
No. The Government has advised that schools do not need to take children’s temperatures (unless we would normally do so due to feeling unwell). The guidance states that routine testing of an individual’s temperature is not a reliable method for identifying coronavirus.
Will teachers be wearing masks?
We are not requiring staff members to wear masks, except in specific circumstances (dealing with children who are unwell etc). That said, some staff may choose to wear masks – and we are awaiting further guidance aroud this.
Can my child return to school?
We are planning to open the school in a controlled and measured way. In the first two weeks of June, we intend to open school for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Children will attend on a part-time basis.
What about children in Nursery, and Years 2, 3, 4 and 5?
School will remain closed to children in those year groups until further notice. We will update you if this changes. In the meantime, we will continue to provide home learning activities for you.
What if my child is eligible but has siblings who are not?
Only children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 will be able to return. We will not be able to include siblings in different year groups unless those siblings are in a priority group, for example, the children of critical workers.
What if I have children who need to be dropped off or collected at different times?
If you have more than one child eligible to return, we can support you with this. Please contact us and we will work on a plan which will not need you to wait at school or leave and return.
Why can’t the children return full time?
The Government has asked us to limit the number of children in each class and to put in measures to ensure that groups do not mix. In order to achieve this, we will need more staff and more clever use of space. This would not be possible if we welcomed all those children back at the same time.
Our approach aims to limit numbers within the premises while ensuring that a good number of children will benefit from having some time in school.
Will my child be in Group A or Group B?
We will let you know which group your child is in. This will be based on alphabetical order, by surname. We will only make adjustments to ensure that siblings are in the same group. We will not be able to allow any swapping of groups.
Who will teach my child?
As far as possible, we want children to be taught by familiar staff members. It won’t be possible for every ’bubble’ to be taught by their usual classroom staff. We will only use members of the Pinner Park staff team. This will be a mix of teachers and teaching assistants.
Why are breakfast club and after-school club closed?
We are not able to operate these clubs because children from different ‘bubbles’ are not permitted to mix on the school site.
Will my child be able to see their friends?
Children will only be with other children in their same bubble. They will not be able to be with any other children on the school site, even if they are in on the same days.
Can my child wear a mask to school?
No. The Government guidance states that wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended.
Will you be ensuring that everyone maintains 2 metre distancing through the school day?
The Government recognises that, unlike adults, primary age children cannot be expected to remain 2 metres apart from each other and staff. In deciding to bring more children back, this is being taken into account.
We will be using a range of measures to reduce risk:
- avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms
- frequent hand cleaning and good respiratory hygiene practices
- regular cleaning
- minimising contact and mixing
If my child is eligible, is it compulsory for them to attend school?
The Government is encouraging children in the eligible year groups and priority groups (such as children of critical workers) to attend, unless they are self-isolating or there are other reasons for absence (such as shielding due to health conditions).
We take the view that this is a parental choice based on all the information we are providing. We will respect your choice in this matter and we will not be issuing any fines for non-attendance at this time.
Will school be ‘normal’ for those children attending?
School will be a very different experience for those children attending. There will be a number of limitations to ensure that we minimise contact and mixing, and reduce the risk of infection. Classrooms will be rearranged – in older classes, children will be assigned a desk and resources for their sole use. They will not be allowed to circulate freely around the class or school. We will remove a number of resources from the classroom in order to reduce the risk of sharing.
Should I keep my child at home if they have an underlying health condition or live with someone in a clinically vulnerable group?
Children who are considered extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should continue to shield and should not attend school.
Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. A minority of children will fall into this category, and parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category.
Children and young people who live in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should not attend school.
Children and young people who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not extremely clinically vulnerable) can attend, if parents wish them to.
Can children be tested for the virus?
If your child is attending school, he or she will be eligible for testing if they become ill with coronavirus symptoms - as will members of their household. A positive test will ensure rapid action to protect their classmates and the staff at school.
Will school meals be available for children who are in school?
We will provide a packed lunch meal for any child who is in school, unless they bring in a packed lunch of their own. The meal will be eaten outside on dry days, otherwise in the classroom. We will not be using the school halls.
What if my child is unwell?
If your child is unwell, he or she should not attend school.
If your child, or anyone in your household, has symptoms of coronavirus then you must follow the government’s self-isolation rules. You can be tested to check.
The symptoms 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
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have any of these symptoms. Stay at home.
Why are you not keeping your usual opening hours?
We have made changes to our start and finish times, alongside processes for drop-off and collection times to keep children and families safe.
Start and finish times will be clearly communicated to parents and carers alongside any other new arrangements.
How will drop off and collection be managed?
Different classes in each year group will have a separate drop off and collection time. You may arrive on the school site up to 10 minutes before that time but we will ask you to maintain a 2 metre distance from other families at all times.
We will ask older children to come into school alone. For younger children one parent may accompany them.
We will have clear signage showing the route into school. Please follow these signs carefully.
We will ask children to line up observing 2 metre distances and we will have hoops and signs to help with this.
