Information for families
The safety of your child, our team, families and the wider community is our top priority. We know that returning your child to school is a big decision. This leaflet shares how we are making our school as safe as possible.
What has the government said? The government announced that phased school returns could happen from 1 June (after half term) at the earliest. This will be done in stages, beginning with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. There is information available on the gov.uk website for families.
Which children can attend school? From 1 June (if the government says it’s safe to do so) we will be open for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Government guidelines say a maximum of 15 children can be in each classroom. Therefore we won’t be able to welcome all three year groups back every day. We don’t have the space. Instead, your child will be able to attend school part-time. We will contact families directly with information about which days their child can attend. We will continue to open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children every weekday. They will be in separate classes. If a child, or someone they live with, has received a letter from the NHS saying they need to shield, they do not need to attend school.
Preparing for a phased return to school How is Norwich Primary Academy preparing? We are taking a number of steps to make sure we’re prepared to welcome children. Our school is being deep cleaned over half term We’ve installed sanitiser/handwashing stations in all of our classrooms We have no-touch thermometers We have put up signs to remind children to wash their hands Our corridors have arrows marking which direction children should travel in All staff will have gloves, visors and sanitiser
What do families need to do? Please read all of the information in this leaflet. If you have any questions, FAQs are available on our website: inspirationtrust.org/norwichprimary
The school There will be some changes to the school day. We’ll be making sure children wash their hands regularly and social distance. There will be a ‘one way’ system within the school to ensure children keep a safe distance from one-another. We are following government guidance to make sure your child is as safe as possible.
Dropping children off at school Parents should make sure they are social distancing when dropping children off - there will be markers on the ground. Only one parent should drop children off. Reception - children will come into school via the nursery gate/entrance Year 1 - children will come onto the site via the car park and enter the building through the infant hall entrance Year 6 - should enter the school via the Year 6 entrance
In the classroom Children will be in familiar rooms, with teachers/support staff and pupils they know Each class will have no more than 15 children – they will stay within this group Groups of children won’t mix Desks and workstations will be spaced apart Children will sit in the same desks every day Children will stay in their classroom during the day - only leaving to use the toilet and spend time outside
Children will be given their own equipment, labelled with their name - this won’t be shared - and will be stored in their own tray overnight The use of exercise books will be limited - if they can’t be cleaned, pupils will use paper Assemblies will take place via remote technology Children will be escorted to the toilet and only one child can enter at a time Tables will be cleaned between each session/break Children will use corridors to move around as little as possible - they will access outside directly (as much as possible)
Lunch We will provide lunches for all children at school There will be staggered break times and children will stay with their group Child won’t be able to use the play equipment Children will wash their hands before eating and after spending time outside
Collecting children from school Parents should make sure they are social distancing when collecting children - there will be markers on the ground. Only one parent should collect children. Reception - children will leave school via the nursery gate/entrance Year 1 - children will come leave via the infant hall entrance/car park Year 6 - children will leave via the Year 6 exit
More information for families Uniform Children don’t need to wear their blazers, but we would like them to wear their uniforms. Children won’t need a PE kit during this time.
Protection for teaching teams Our teaching teams will be regularly washing their hands, using sanitiser and social distancing. PPE will also be available for staff who wish to use it. This will include disposable gloves and visors.
Regular cleaning Throughout the day we will be significantly increasing our cleaning. This will include: All touch points Toilets Emptying bins Tables and other surfaces The school will be deep cleaned weekly.
The steps to take if someone is unwell What if someone in the household has symptoms? If a child, or someone in their household, has Covid-19 symptoms, they shouldn’t come to school. Families should: Notify us of the absence via the normal channel Arrange testing by calling 111 Follow government guidance on self-isolation Email us their result
What if a child has symptoms at school? If a child becomes unwell at school, they will be removed from their class and settled in the conservatory with a member of our teaching team. We will contact parents and ask them to collect their child.
What if someone tests positive for Covid-19? We know this is a worrying thought, but we have a process in place if a child, or member of staff, tests positive for Covid-19. The entire class group will be sent home. They will need to seek testing and self-isolate for 14 days.
Contact us on: Phone: 01603 454423 Email: office@norwichprimary.org.uk