How we will keep your child safe in September
The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) led to the closures of schools for all pupils in England from the 20th March 2020. Lumley Junior School remained open throughout this period of lockdown for the provision of child care and teaching to children of keyworkers. During this time, we have learnt how to put in place measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both pupils and staff. Detailed risk assessments have been completed and control measures implemented following the Guidance for the full opening of schools published by GOV.UK on the 7th August 2020.
Guidance for Full opening Schools
In September, we will be able to welcome back all children with some changes to how we normally operated before lockdown. We have written to the pupils to explain the changes in an appropriate way, and ask that you please share this letter with your child. The letters for pupils can be found in Pupils What you need to know section.
More information on how to support your child in preparing to return to school can be found at Covid19 – Returning to School
We have a system of controls in place to reduce the risk in school, in line with government guidance. There will be plenty of posters and staff available to help children learn their new routines.
The School Day
It is very important that children arrive at the time specified as this has been arranged to limit contact between different ‘bubble’ groups. Playtimes and lunches are also staggered throughout the day for this reason.
At home time, parents should use the main entrance and walk around to wait on the yard, following social distancing guidelines. Only one adult per household should collect children. A one-way system will be in operation, leaving school via the Cocken Lane gates. Please leave the yard as soon as your child is dismissed. If you need to wait for another child at a different time, please use the decking area as a waiting zone to keep the yard clear.
Year Three and Year Four pupils must be collected by an adult. Pupils in Year Five and Year Six may be dismissed without an adult to collect them with parental consent. Please email the school office on Weduc if you wish your child to leave school without an adult.
Children MUST NOT bring scooters or bikes into school.
Hand and respiratory hygiene
Children will be asked to wash their hands regularly throughout the day. The “Catch it, bin it, kill it,” approach will be promoted with plenty of hankies available. Pupils should also wash their hands when they return home from school. Please ensure your child has a pack of tissues with them each day.
Water bottles and packed lunch boxes
These should be clearly named and taken home daily for a thorough wash before bringing back to school the next day.
School bag
Children should not bring a bag to school or any stationary equipment. All equipment will be provided by school. Children will be given a homework folder to take spellings and reading books between home and school.
Mobile Phones
For the well-being and safety of all our pupils, mobile phones and smart watches are not allowed to be used by pupils in school and should not be brought to school. In exceptional circumstances where there is a valid reason for a child to bring a phone to school and this has been agreed by school, the phone must be handed into your child’s teacher at the start of each day. Their phone will then be stored in the school office until the end of the school day.
Enhanced cleaning arrangements
In addition to our normal robust cleaning procedures, classrooms have additional cleaning products for use throughout the day. All frequently touched surfaces are cleaned regularly throughout the day and toilets are cleaned thoroughly before different groups access them.
Sickness absence
Pupils should not come into school if they have coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms (a high temperature, a persistent cough or a lack of smell or taste.) Please follow guidelines from Covid 19 Stay at Home Guidance and arrange a test as soon as possible. Please inform school of the results of any test. If a pupil tests negative, they feel well and no longer have symptoms, they can stop isolating and return to school.
If pupils develop symptoms whilst at school, they will be moved away from other children until they can be picked up.
Pupils should also stay at home if someone in their household has coronavirus symptoms. In the event that a pupil or member of staff tests positive for Covid-19, we will follow advice from Public Health England about who should self-isolate. Parents and carers must follow the usual school procedure for reporting any sickness absence.
Where children are absent and the school do not receive a phone call from parents/ carers, the school will contact them to find out the reasons for their absence.
Classrooms
Children will be taught in their usual class group. Different classes will not mix so there will be no assemblies. They will be seated facing forwards and encourage to maintain social distancing where possible. Pupils will have an individual classroom pack containing named resources and they will be instructed not to share any resources with each other. Doors and windows will be kept open to increase ventilation so it is a good idea for pupils to always have a jumper, especially when the weather turns cooler.
Uniform
Children should wear normal, clean school uniform. On days when classes are timetabled for PE, children should wear their PE kit (plain T shirt, leggings or joggers and trainers) with their school jumper.
Remote Education
In the event of a local or national lockdown, or where pupils are unable to attend school for other reasons, we will provide remote learning so that pupils are provided with a full education. Information will be shared via the Weduc app.
Communication with school
For safety reasons, parents cannot be admitted into the school building. Please use our Weduc app to communicate with teachers.
We can’t wait to see everyone back at school in September. Have a wonderful summer holiday, and see you all soon!
