Plans for the new term have not changed since our last statement in July, so these are confirmed as the arrangements for next Monday onwards:
1. All children are expected back from Monday 6th September
School attendance will be compulsory.
The usual rules on attendance will apply:
- It is the parents’ duty to make sure their child attends school regularly and to inform school of any absences
- It is school’s responsibility to record attendance and follow up absence
- In line with all Dorset schools, it is our policy to deny authorisation for holidays in term-time
- Dorset Council will be restarting their system of fines for parents who take children out of school for holidays.
2. Rules for minimising contact with individuals who are unwell
Parents and pupils should follow public health advice on when to self-isolate and what to do. They should not come into school if they have symptoms, have had a positive test result or other reasons requiring them to stay at home due to the risk of them passing on COVID-19 (for example, they are required to quarantine).
If a pupil develops COVID-19 symptoms in school, however mild, we will send them home and parents should make sure they follow public health advice.
3. Keeping clean
- Pupils will continue to clean their hands frequently during the day. To avoid crowding at our limited handwashing facilities, we will continue to use hand sanitiser and cleaning wipes.
- We will continue to promote the ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach in class
Please help your child by reinforcing the importance of good hand and respiratory hygiene at home.
The school building will continue to be cleaned every day, although the additional cleaning help we employed previously will stop.
4. Face Coverings
Primary age pupils do not need to wear face coverings at school.
Staff will not be required to wear face coverings in communal areas.
Parents and visitors will not need to wear face coverings on site or when in the building.
5. Re-establishing class mixing – no more bubbles!
- Morning break: KS1 pupils will be at play together and KS2 pupils will be at play together.
- Lunchtime: children will eat meals in the hall in two sittings.
- Lunchtime play: after the first few weeks, children will mix freely with others of different ages and choose where to play on the fields or playgrounds.
- The Reception and Year 6 buddy system will restart
6. School events – back on!
- Whole school assemblies will restart – including the Star Learner assemblies on Fridays to which parents will be invited.
- We expect the Harvest Festival and Christmas productions to return.
- Parents’ evenings will take place in October
- FOSS are restarting their school events and meetings. Their AGM is on Tuesday 28th September at 6.30pm and you are all invited.
7. Drop-off arrangements at the start of the day
- School will open to pupils at 8.45am.
- School doors will shut at 8.55am when a register will be taken. Children arriving after this time should come to the office to be signed in as ‘late.’
- Please enter and leave via the pedestrian gate at the front of school.
8. Collection arrangements
- School will finish at 3.15pm for all children
- Reception children should be collected from the Reception class gate. The gate to the car park will continue to be closed at 3pm for everyone’s safety.
- KS1 children will be led out to the front of school via the pedestrian gate. Parents should wait on the pavement area please.
- KS2 children will leave via the lower gate. Parents should wait on the paths outside please.
As always, please let us know if your child is being collected by someone different to normal.
9. Active Travel Plan
Please respect the local residents when parking in the vicinity of the school. Alternatively, why not follow our Active Travel Plan and park at the shops before walking up the hill to school? This will help cut down congestion around the school, as well as being healthier, better for the environment and more fun!
10. Coming into school
We’ve learnt that even our youngest children are able to come into school on their own. It’s been great for their independence and their confidence. After the first few days, please encourage your child to come into school without you. There will be a member of staff outside Year 1 and 2 and the Reception classrooms to welcome your child and speak to if necessary.
Using email to raise more significant issues or request an appointment will continue to be the best approach, as teaching staff won’t have time to properly talk to you at such a busy time.
11. Pupils’ equipment: what to bring in their bag
- Reading book and reading record book (this should come home every day)
- Lunch box – unless having a hot meal
- Drinks bottle – water only please
- One toy for lunchtime (but nothing electronic and please no trading cards)
PE kit should be in school every day. Children should leave this on their peg.
Trainers can be worn for PE and should be kept in the PE bag. Children are welcome to change into their trainers at playtime and lunchtime, and for the daily mile.
12. Uniform
All children should be in normal full uniform please. Key points for you:
- Shoes should be sturdy and black, with no sports branding
- Long hair should be tied back
- No nail varnish
- No jewellery, eg bracelets or necklaces
- Ear studs should be small and removable for PE
- Uniform should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
13. Breakfast Club
This will continue as before, although children will no longer be kept in separate class groups. Children will enjoy various games and activities with their friends, before breakfast is served by Mrs Sharpe and Mrs Harris. Please book through SCOpay if you wish to reserve a place.
14. After-school clubs
After-school clubs will operate as normal. Information will come out to you in the first few weeks.
15. Lunches
Hot school meals will be available to all children as normal, and continue to be free to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
If you would like your child to have a hot school meal please ensure that these are ordered 7 days in advance on the Local Food Links website. The Autumn menu for September will be sent out on Ping towards the end of term. Please ensure that your child either has a hot school meal ordered or brings a packed lunch as we do not have any spare meals that we are able to give to children.
Please remember that we are a nut-free school – please do not send your child to school with foods containing nuts as they will be dangerous to the children at school with allergies.
16. Covid Contingency Plan
Should there be an outbreak of the virus in school, affected children will have to be kept at home. Children’s learning will continue daily via Google Classroom for the duration of the isolation period.
The rest of the class will be able to continue at school, unless they develop any symptoms.
And that’s it. I hope you find this to be a useful reminder. If there is anything else you want to know about our arrangements for normal operation from September, please ask.