Dear Parents /Carers,

We hope this letter finds you and your families’ safe and well and looking forward to brighter times ahead. We now look forward to school life returning to some sort of normality again, however this must be brought about in a measured way. Throughout the focus has been on the health and safety of pupils, staff, parents and the community. This will continue.

As you are aware school will reopen to all pupils from March 8th. As we will be lateral flow testing Key stage 3 pupils 3 times during that week the start dates for pupils have been staggered to facilitate this.

The start dates for pupils returning to school are:-

Monday 8^th March

All KS3 pupils

All pupils who are in the care of the local authority

All pupils who are currently attending

Wednesday 10^th March

All other pupils

Start and finish times will be staggered to reduce congestion.

Arrival Times

Mondays

 9:20 Pupils brought by parents/carers

 9:30 Pupils brought by taxis

Tuesday – Friday

8:50 Pupils brought by parents/carers

9:00 Pupils brought by taxis

Departure Times

Monday – Thursday

3:10 pupils collected by parents/carers

3:25 Pupils collected by taxi

Friday

2:10 pupils collected by parents/carers

2:25 Pupils collected by taxi

Please be aware parents/carers will be required to collect any child who is ill on arrival or becomes ill and any KS3 pupil who tests positive whilst at school. It is important that parents/carers have contingency plans in place should the need arise. So please ensure emergency contact numbers are up to date.

As you will appreciate we have had to make numerous changes around the school in order to allow pupils to enter and leave the school safely as well as remain safe whilst they are with us. Pupils and staff will still need to work differently. There will be strict guidelines that will need to be followed by everyone at all times.

In line with Government Guidance we have plans in place based on comprehensive risk assessments to ensure all necessary precautions are being taken. (See website for further information)

Plans will be based on the measures recommended by the DfE. Plans will include preventative measures including:-

• Maintaining class bubbles
• Social distancing
• Wearing face masks
• Rigorous cleaning & hygiene routines
• Restricting visitors to school
• No large gatherings
• Keeping windows and doors open to aid ventilation
• Wearing PPE where appropriate
• Arrival & departure routines to aid social distancing
• School transport arrangements

Additional Information

Illness

• Do not send your child to school if they feel unwell as they will be required to return home on arrival and you will need to make arrangements to collect them. Pupils will not be able to return home on the taxi.

Water bottles

• Children can bring their own water bottles. These must be clearly labelled and taken home at the end of the day. Any unnamed bottles will be disposed of.

Packed lunches

• Children can bring packed lunches to school as normal. This can be in a lunch box which is to be taken home daily or a disposable bag.

Stationery & equipment

• All equipment will be provided by the school and every child will have a dedicated box to keep their belongings in.

Uniform

• All pupils must be wearing school uniform
• PE kits
• Pupils should come into school wearing their PE kit on the day they have PE.

Face Coverings

• Children wearing disposable face coverings in school transport will need to dispose of them before entering the school building. A bin will be provided. Re useable coverings will need to be placed in a zip lock bag. Any Child will not be prevented from wearing a face covering in school if they choose to do so.
• Key Stage 3 pupils will need to wear a face covering both in class and in communal areas. Key stage 2 pupils will need to wear a face covering in communal areas.
• Class based staff will not be available to come to the telephone in the morning or during the school day. Members of the SLT will be available to speak with you. Alternatively you can email your child’s teacher using their school email address.

Staff absence

While the pandemic is still with us we may have staff members/bubbles who are required to self - isolate. At times this may mean that pupils in certain classes/bubbles have to revert to online learning.

I would like to thank you all for your support during the pandemic. Your thanks and messages of support have been welcomed by staff. I look forward to welcoming all children back in next week.

Kind Regards

Linda James

Headteacher