What you should know as students are back in class
STAGGERED TIMINGS AND BUBBLES TO MINIMISE COVID INFECTION IN SCHOOLS
SEPTEMBER signals the start of the academic year for students across the UK and as pupils get ready for their classes, schools have adapted their spaces and rules to accommodate UK government guidelines in order to keep both children and staff safe.
While some parents could understandably have concerns about the full return to classes, schools and headteachers are keen to provide reassurance to parents and children about the measures they are taking to keep everyone protected.
Cassie Buchanan, headteacher of Charles Dickens Primary in Southwark, south London, said, “If you are anxious about your child’s return, start by reading up on what actions the school’s put in place to help your child come back to school safely, so that you feel really well informed.
“Then, if you’re still worried, contact your school and speak to your children’s teachers or headteacher. They’ll be able to talk things through with you, and if there’s something specific you’re concerned about, put a plan in place to help your child return to school safely.”
Attendance will be compulsory for all but a few pupils – for example, if a GP advises against it.
At Charles Dickens Primary, staff have been working hard to minimise the risk of infection of Covid-19.
There will be staggered drop-off and pick-up times so as to avoid long queues at the school gates. Children will be taught that handwashing and good hygiene is a priority, and pupils will learn and play in bubbles alongside their classmates and year groups.
In the event that a child tests positive for the coronavirus, they and the adults and children in their bubble may be asked to quarantine.
“Parents need to know that schools are as safe as they can be, and that if schools have put all the guidelines into place, then they’re really low risk places for children to be,” Buchanan said.
“They also need to know that schools are the best place for their children in September, for their wellbeing and learning. The return to school is going to be hugely positive for children’s mental health – being with their friends, testing parts of their personality, learning how to be with people, getting face-to-face feedback from their teachers, and being able to celebrate their work publicly.
“They’ll also benefit from being able to run around and do music and dance, design and technology – those things that require space and equipment, which you can’t really do if you’re homeschooling. It’s so important for children to be with others of their own age and enjoy all those joyful things we remember from our own childhoods.”
East London’s Swanlea School measures it has adopted.
Head teacher Brenda Landers said, “The safety and well-being of staff, students and their families is my absolute priority. We have put in place staggered starts and finishes to the school and different entrances and exits for each year group. We have enhanced handwashing facilities and cleaning routines.”
In addition, the school has said it will “meet all of our parents/carers individually to discuss the measures we have put in place and answer any questions they may have”.
The school will also have a phased return for its students with different year groups returning on different days so that all students have an opportunity to practise the new school routines.
At Queen Elizabeth’s School, headmaster Neil Enright, said: “A great deal of careful planning has taken place to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the Elizabethan community, while ensuring that our boys will still receive a rounded educational experience.
“We published a Back to School Guide, which details a host of measures – from year group ‘bubbles’ and staggered lunch breaks, to new sanitising routines in lessons and an enhanced cleaning regime. The flexibility afforded to us by our online learning platform, eQE, will also be significant in supporting any students who find themselves needed to isolate.”
“The coming term will undoubtedly present challenges for all schools, but we are confident that we are well-prepared and are very much looking forward to having everyone back in school.”
Schools are working with the NHS Test and Trace system to contain any outbreaks that might occur.
Chief nurse of Public Health England, Viv Bennett, said families can feel safe in the knowledge that everything is being done to ensure children are protected.
She said, “Parents can be reassured that to maximise safety in schools, an extremely stringent system of controls
explained have been advised by PHE (Public Health England) and is published in Department for Education guidance.”
At the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, headmaster Gus Lock said, “We spent the summer devising, reviewing and implementing detailed and extensive plans in order to make sure that the return to school is a success.
“Timetables have been amended, the site has been zoned, extensive hygiene measures have been implemented in line with UK government guidelines.”
Prior to the start of the academic year, the Chief Medical Officers across all four nations highlighted in a joint statement how staying away from school could affect children’s mental health.
It is something Buchanan has seen first-hand in both parents and children, despite the best efforts of everyone involved. And as a headteacher, her priority is the happiness and wellbeing of her pupils. She said, “We’ve seen lockdown as a challenge, and tried to rise to it, but it’s been most challenging for those children who’ve been at home all this time. It’s really hard to learn at home, especially if your parents are trying to do their job as well, or you’ve got siblings trying to learn around the same kitchen table.
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