Back to school Thoughts turn to preparation for September

TWENTY-ONE per cent of children are currently attending schools in Gloucestershire as the county council works on plans to get 100 per cent of pupils back in September.

The school year comes to an end this week and thoughts are turning to the autumn term when the Government has said it wants all children to return.

Since the beginning of June, Reception and Year 1 and 6 pupils have been able to go to primary schools, with Year 10 and Year 12 secondary pupils given face-to-face time to help them prepare for exams next year.

With the school census taken in January 2020 showing 87,943 children on the school roll, 18,468 pupils are currently attending school – with another 69,475 due back at the end of the summer holidays.

With coronavirus rates falling, the Government has issued new guidance to schools on how to reduce the risk of transmission when children go back in September.

This includes: » keeping children in set “bubbles” of classes, year groups or phases » regular cleaning and handwashing » reducing the flow of children around the school and not holding “all-school” assemblies.

The county council has said individual schools will make decisions on how they will reopen and it is unlikely any school will look like another.

It said is helping schools to identify their individual risks and what measures need to be put in place to tackle these, as well as making it easier for them to access personal protective equipment (PPE).

The council is also considering how it can support schools to make transport arrangements safe.

In addition, as part the local outbreak management plan, the council has created specific action plans for schools so that they know exactly what they need to do if a child or member of staff displays the symptoms of Covid-19.

And it said a wide-ranging curriculum, within the restrictions of the new guidelines, will be crucial to pupils’ return plans.

Schools will focus on making up any gaps in children’s learning in the best way they can – with the council helping them to support the most vulnerable young people in the county as they get used to a life at school again.

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, cabinet member responsible for education, said: “Headteachers and teachers in the county have done an outstanding job of supporting children and their families during these very challenging times.

“There is no doubt that school will look very different in the new academic year, but it is important that all young people have the opportunity to continue to learn and thrive.

“I want to thank parents and carers for their support and patience as schools work out their plans, and assure them that schools are doing everything they can to keep children safe from September and we will continue to help them to do so.”

Ninety per cent of schools in the county have remained open to the children of key workers and vulnerable children since lockdown began.