Heads’ strict new rules to minimise risk in class
HEAD teachers have spent weeks minimising risks so children and staff will be as safe as possible when schools re-open.
Southend High School for Boys pupils will spend the whole morning doing just one subject and then another in the afternoon to stop big movements of children. It has also bought £1,000 machines to spray and disinfect classrooms.
Dr Robin Bevan, head of the school in Essex, said: ”If you’re going to ask the brutal question, is it safe? Your honest answer is we’ve minimised the risk as much as possible.
“We’ve just got to look after staff members and be really protective of teachers who are themselves vulnerable or high risk. I think the biggest concern is how the students will be feeling upon their return.
“We’ve already got arrangements with our school counsellors and we’re going to be increasing that.”
Head teacher Richard Billings, of Towers School in Ashford, Kent, said: “We have 10 cleaners on site during the day. They look like something out of Ghostbusters, with backpacks full of disinfectant so they can spray corridors and classrooms between lessons – anything the children may have come into contact with.
“Every child has to hand sanitise as they go in and out of class, while teachers are provided with their own hand gel and wipes.
“Teachers will stand in a designated, boxed-off area at the front of the room – they won’t be able to walk around the classroom and help students, they’ll only be able to teach from the front.
“There won’t be any after-school clubs and we’ll phase people leaving the site. All assemblies and meetings will be done virtually.”
Executive Principal Ed Vainker of Reach Academy, Feltham, West London, said: “The number one thing is giving confidence to parents that their children are going to be safe. We are committing to really strong hygiene measures and working with families to get tested if anyone has symptoms.”
LESSONS PLAN Richard Billings
SAFE Principal Ed Vainker