Baobab College COVID 19 POLICY
Date of Approval
07/08/2020
Last date of amendment
N/A
Approved by
Baobab College Board of Governors
Implementation Date
17 August 2020
Review Cycle
Each academic term through 2020-2021 academic year or more frequently as neeeded
Next date of review
1 January 2021
Policy application
To all students, parents, staff and visitors to Baobab College
Policy Under
Baobab College Board of Governors
Introduction The aim of this policy is to inform the Baobab College community of preparations and measures that will be implemented for the students, parents, staff and any visitors in these unprecedented times as a result of the Covid19 pandemic. This policy and the management Covid-19 plan are not an exhaustive list of measures, which will be adjusted and updated in accordance with Zambian Government regulations and prevailing health advice. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on day-to-day life for individuals across the world. As a result of the pandemic, the Zambian Government closed all schools from 23rd March 2020 in order to control the spread of the infection. From 1st June 2020, Examination Grade classes were allowed to return to school campus. In order for any or all classes to return to school campus this remains strictly subject to Zambian Government authorisation. This policy forms part of the Baobab College’s overall response to managing the safest possible return of pupils to school campus. Guidelines issued to schools from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health are basis for the Covid-19 policy. Various guidelines and health advice from leading bodies from around the world have also been taken into consideration as well as that of the school community. Baobab College created a ‘think tank’ in May and June 2020 with representation from teachers, management, Board of Governors, Trustees, the Chair of the PTC and inputs from the student counsel representatives united together for the common purpose of keeping everyone as safe as possible whilst the school prepares for all eventualities.
Baobab College recognises that there is, understandably, a great deal of anxiety in our school community about how pupils can safely return to school campus. The Board of Governors have authorised management to address these concerns through communications with the school community regarding the steps being taking to minimise the risks as much as possible and the proposed plan to manage the re-integration of pupils into Baobab College. The school community (staff, parents and carers, contractors and volunteers) are asked to work with us to help keep staff and pupils as safe as possible and ensure that the best education possible can continue to be provided to the Baobab College students. The school will also closely monitor our own procedures and regularly engage with our school community in order to identify any practices or procedures that require further consideration under this policy. For the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic should any part of the Covid-19 policy or management plan be in conflict with any other school regulation or policy then the Covid-19 policy, with the best interests of the wellbeing and health of students and staff will take priority.
Measures that will be in place: 1. A dynamic and comprehensive Covid-19 Management Plan will cover all the technical and practical implementation requirements that meet: i. Zambian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education health and safety guidelines ii. Drop off and collection of students that meet safety guidelines iii. Restrictions and limitations for visitors to the school campus who must report to the school office and/or have an appointment with a designated meeting point and time, and/or have written permission to be on school campus. iv. Protocols should someone become unwell whilst on school campus v. Protocols in the event of a Covid-19 case at school vi. Deep clean, sanitization and hygiene measures throughout the school campus vii. Educational services that cover for a delayed, partial or full reopening of school campus to students and staff viii. Educational services, including sports, that adhere to prevailing Covid-19 guidelines ix. Support for the physical and mental wellbeing of the students and staff. x. Support structure within the Baobab College community for those who have family members and friends who contract Covid-19 2. Communication of all changes and updates will be made available to students, parents, staff and visitors in a timely manner.
For all students, staff, parents and visitors: Pupils and parents / carers/ visitors must not enter the school if they or anyone in their household are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Measures required on school campus: 1. 2. 3. 4.
A face mask must be worn at all times Good respiratory hygiene observed at all times Thorough hand washing and sanitization on entry to the school and regularly whilst on school campus. Social distancing is to be respected at all times
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5. Health checks, monitoring of health and recording of health data on entry into school and whilst on school campus.
Clinically vulnerable: Extremely clinically vulnerable people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. A small minority of children may fall into this category, and parents / carers should follow medical advice if their child is in this category. The school must be notified in writing of their child’s medical advice. In the event that the campus is fully open to all students and a clinically vulnerable child is not attending school due to medical advice Baobab College will try its best to support these children via remote learning. It will however be what is manageable within school working hours.
Mental wellbeing: Baobab College recognises that children have been out of school for a long time in very difficult circumstances. Parents / carers are asked to inform the school about any particular issues, anxieties or concerns they have about their child which staff need to know about in order to help them to safely reintegrate into school, for example, concerns about physical or mental wellbeing or issues relating to behaviour or your domestic circumstances which could impact on your child. Communications to the school about any such concerns should be directed to the Heads of School and will be dealt in a confidential and secure manner. The school will need to share child welfare information with the relevant staff in order to provide a supportive environment to the child. This will be discussed with you if you communicate with your Head of school.
Education and learning: These unprecedented times means that there will be adjustments and changes to educational delivery, learning strategies and time tables. Some equipment and access to the books in the library may not be available for health and safety reasons. New and innovative ways to deliver education will be adopted to adjust for this, for example an electronic library will be used. Assessment of student progress and development will be on going, this will be cognisant of adjustments required for new and/or different learning environments since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sports on campus will be undertaken with consideration given to social distancing, health and safety requirements. Afternoon activities will be reviewed to ensure any clubs, activities or sports offered meet the health and safety guidelines before being reinstated onto the school time table.
Adjusting to a new normal: It will take some time for pupils and parents to adjust to the new measures and arrangements that are put in place to keep the school community as safe as possible when the schools re-open. Baobab College will take reasonable steps to educate and remind the school communities about what they need to do which will include posters around the school site, verbal reminders, staff directing pupils and parents as appropriate, signage, regular communications and information through the school newsletter and on the school website.
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Additional steps to support younger pupils who are less able to understand the reasons for many of the changes as well as vulnerable pupils, including pupils with special educational needs, especially where their needs are such that they may struggle to cope with a school day and building layout which is unfamiliar to them. Baobab College will work with parents / carers to put in place strategies to help children with special educational needs to reintegrate back into school. Baobab College are also relying on all members of the school community to ‘play their part’ to help us to keep the school safe for everyone. The various measures that are being introduced are an integral part of our health and safety responsibilities. If a parent has a particular concern about any of the measures introduced by schools, please contact the Heads of School or the Principal. Pupils who do not comply with the ‘staying safe rules’ will be reminded by staff about the rules and what they need to do in order to comply with them. However, if: 1. A pupil repeatedly breaks the staying safe rules; and/or 2. a member of staff is satisfied that a pupil has deliberately broken the staying safe rules; and /or 3. a pupil breaks the staying safe rules in such a way that, in the member of staff’s judgement, puts others at risk, then, depending on the circumstances and taking the pupil’s age and special needs (if relevant) into account, the school is entitled to deal with the matter as a disciplinary issue under its behaviour policy. Therefore, this policy is expressly amending our school’s behaviour policies to take the staying safe rules into account. Members of staff are expected to exercise their professional judgment and act reasonably if they are responding to any such behaviour or conduct. Any sanctions that are applied will be reasonable, proportionate and fair and, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a fixed term or permanent exclusion. The school’s behaviour policies will also be modified if any of the sanctions cannot be applied due to the measures in place to keep our school community safe.
Compliance with regulations: Baobab College requires parents / carers to follow the procedures that are implemented in order to safely manage visitors on the school site and to comply with the rules where relevant, for example, by not sending pupils to school if they or anyone in their household is showing coronavirus symptoms or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Baobab College asks parents / carers to set a good example to our pupils when they attend school by following the rules. All families should also comply with any ‘lockdown’ restrictions that may come into place from time to time in order to minimise the risk of the virus being transmitted in school. If a pupil comes to school and they, or any adult with them, is displaying symptoms of coronavirus and /or have an elevated temperature and/or the school reasonably believe that they or someone in their household has tested positive for coronavirus and/or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, the pupils will be sent home. This will not be classified as an exclusion but will instead be a measure being taken by the school to manage health and safety. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic the measures put in place by Baobab College, and if required this Covid-19 Policy, may be updated without notice to ensure compliance with Zambian Government regulations.
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