Schools prepared to welcome back staff and students
A raft of safety measures to start new term
The new normal means the school day will look a bit different for staff and students as measures to keep buildings Covid-19 secure are introduced. At primary and secondary schools in Maidstone, Malling and the Weald, students are encouraged to use one way systems and hand sanitiser stations have been placed throughout the buildings.
ASPIRE Federation, which runs Kingswood, Leeds and Broomfield, Platts Heath and Ulcombe primary schools, is also splitting play times and staggering drop-off and pickups.
Emma Hickling, executive headteacher said: “Some new measures are in place and children and staff will stay within their bubbles.
“Children will also have their own equipment, split play times and lunch times and there will be set drop off and pick up times for different classes.
“We have cancelled all school events until Christmas and staff meetings and assemblies will be via zoom.
“We are not welcoming any additional visitors into the school buildings as we are trying to keep bubbles as in tact as possible. We have government issued PPE if staff wish to wear it and we are operating as per the government advice.
“We have a recovery curriculum in place for the first four weeks which is centred around well being and building up learning resilience.”
At St Francis Catholic Primary School in Maidstone, similar measures means pupils will have to stick to the two metre floor markings and sectioned off play areas.
The school on Queen’s Road has issued detailed advice for parents on its website along with a video showing all new safety measures.
Leigh Academies Trust which runs seven primary, and two secondary schools in Maidstone, Malling and the Weald says it is fully prepared for every scenario.
Face masks will be optional for staff and pupils, classroom layouts have been changed, one-way systems installed and all school trips cancelled for the foreseeable future. A spokesman said: “Every aspect of our operations has been risk assessed to ensure that where possible social distancing is maintained.
“Our schools have installed clear signage to remind everyone of the need to social distance.””