Wider Opening

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C E School Bent Spur Road, Kearsley, Bolton BL4 8PB Telephone 01204 333642/333643 Head Teacher - Mr P Puckey e-mail – office@st-stephens-kearsley-moor.bolton.sch.uk www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk

POSSIBLE WIDER OPENING OF SCHOOL FOR RECEPTION, YEAR 1 & YEAR 6 FROM 8th JUNE Plus information for parents of Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 Dear Parent/Carer, In line with recent government guidance, St Stephen’s is planning to open for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children - after half term - on Monday 8th June.

We recognise that you may have some concerns about your child returning to school and that for some children another change will be unsettling for them. School will operate very differently to the way it did before Covid-19 and parents need to be able to make an informed decision about sending their child back into school.

I am writing to share with you the range of protective measures, in line with the most up to date government guidance, we will be putting in place to ensure the safety of all staff, pupils and visitors to our schools.

What will the new provision look like at St Stephen’s?     

In Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, children will be in a group of up to 15 pupils and 2 adults.

Groups will then stay together and will not mix with other groups during the school day.

To split classes your child may be with a different teacher and in a different classroom.

Children will have their own stationery, equipment and an allocated table.

There will be reduced equipment available for younger children to use in order to comply with

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hygiene and cleaning guidelines.

We will try to ensure that everyone adheres to social distancing rules as far as possible but we cannot guarantee that this will happen 100% of the time – especially with younger children.

Desks will be spaced as far apart as possible and children will be expected to remain in their

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places when in the classroom.

The curriculum will look and feel very different as there are limitations to what we can deliver

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whilst keeping protective measures in place so the timetable will look very different.

Drop off and pick up times will be staggered to avoid groups of adults mixing – please ensure social distancing when on school grounds. If your child needs to be accompanied to school, only one parent should attend. Your child will be allocated a drop off and collection time and we will inform you of the process for this.

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C E School Bent Spur Road, Kearsley, Bolton BL4 8PB Telephone 01204 333642/333643 Head Teacher - Mr P Puckey e-mail – office@st-stephens-kearsley-moor.bolton.sch.uk www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk

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Lunch will be eaten in your child’s allocated classroom (or outside if weather permits). If your child is entitled to a universal free school meal (Reception or Year One) the kitchen will provide a packed lunch. If you pay for your child to have a school meal, this can be provided however you should note that it will be in the form of a packed lunch. You may therefore

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prefer to bring your own.

School will continue to provide Free School Meal vouchers to all those eligible and so children

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in this group will be expected to bring their own packed lunch Outside breaks and lunchtimes will be staggered to avoid groups mixing.

There will be no before and after school provision apart from that provided for Key Workers.

Visitors without prior appointment will not be allowed access to the school building. All

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parental communication should be either by telephone or email.

A range of approaches and actions will be employed across all schools to minimise the spread of the virus. These include: avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms, frequent hand washing and good respiratory hygiene practices, regular cleaning of settings and minimising

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contact and mixing.

When a child or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus, they will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days. Other household members should self-isolate for 14 days.

School will continue to review the protective measures in place and we will update you with any changes as and when we make them.

Whilst we believe that normally school is the best place for your child to learn, both academically and socially, the decision to send your child into school under the current circumstances is entirely yours and yours alone. There is no obligation to, and parents will not be fined if they choose not to send their child in.

Please be assured that support for home learning will continue for all children not in school.

What do we need parents of Reception, Y1 or Y6 to do next?  

Consider all the arrangements and information available.

Email the school as a matter of urgency on office@st-stephens-kearsley-moor.bolton.sch.uk to inform us of your decision – NAME of child and YES / NO

Once we have a clearer idea of numbers, we will send further details.

Parents of Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C E School Bent Spur Road, Kearsley, Bolton BL4 8PB Telephone 01204 333642/333643 Head Teacher - Mr P Puckey e-mail – office@st-stephens-kearsley-moor.bolton.sch.uk www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk

The government ‘has ambitions’ for ALL children to return to school before the summer holiday if it is safe to do so. As soon as we receive any more information and guidance we will be in touch. In the meantime, use the half-term to give the children (and yourselves) a well-deserved break – we’ll have some new home learning packs ready for you from 8 th June.

Thank you for your continuing support and hard work in these very difficult times. Please continue to take care and stay safe – we look forward to welcoming you all back to St Stephen’s as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Lasan Head Teacher