Safe, Healthy, Included & Achieving: Our Plan for Full Re-opening September 1, 2020

HANDBOOK FOR PUPILS, PARENTS AND CARERS SAFE, HEALTHY, INCLUDED AND ACHIEVING: OUR PLAN FOR WIDER RE-OPENING TO ALL PUPILS

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School A National School of Creativity

(September 2020) Updated August 27th 2020

CONTENTs This document is split into the following sections: Our Mission

02

Covid-Secure Learning

03

Headteacher’s Introduction

06

What if I am worried about coming back to school?

07

Survey on Wellbeing

09

Section 1

Priorities: Safety and Wellbeing first to Support Learning

11

Section 2

Supporting Vulnerable Pupils

15

Section 3

Additional Training Days & phased return of pupils

15

Section 4

School Day

15

Section 5

Bubbles and Zoning

17

Section 6

Curriculum: Wellbeing and Learning

20

Time Allocations

21

Additional Opportunities

22

Blended Learning

22

Class Groupings

22

PE changing and sports curriculum

23

Supply Cover

23

Ready and Safe for Learning

23

Pupil Support

23

Safeguarding

23

Attendance and Punctuality

24

Behaviour and Relationships

24

Uniform and Equipment

25

Section 8

Travel to School

25

Section 9

Contingency and School Closure

25

Section 10

Protective Measures

26

Section 11

Home School Agreement

27

Section 7

Faith in you

Love in learning

Hope in better

Unique together

Inspiring experiences

creativity everywhere

You are Ambrose. Made in God’s

We are Ambrose. Like our

This is Ambrose. Space for the

image with special gifts and

patron Saint we learn and lead

imagination. Sparks of creativity

talents. Unique together. Here

with joy and humility. Inspiring

everywhere: a divine energy. We

we learn to be ourselves: plant

experiences nurture the

were born to create in the image

the seeds that will one day grow,

extraordinary in the ordinary. We

of God, to look for connections, to

water the seeds already planted.

can all change and grow.

break new ground.

everybody matters

courageous curiosity

widest horizons

A family of faith where everybody

There is no fear in being who

This is learning for ourselves

matters. Everyone is welcome

God meant us to be. We are

and for others. We are open to

here, cared for and loved as we

adventurers. We are alive with

the widest horizons, staying on

grow in dignity. Each of us shows

courageous curiosity. We

course as seekers of truth with

respect for others in imitation of

explore and question seeking

the guidance of home, school

Christ’s perfect love.

inspiration and truth.

and parish.

1

embrace excellence

you, fulfilled

change makers

Everything you do is important.

Each minute is a precious gift.

This is stewardship and faith in

Take care of the details to

Each lesson, each day, a fresh

action, seeking justice for the

embrace excellence, to be fully

start. To be you, fulfilled, through

vulnerable. We offer what we are, not

human. Proceed as though the

learning, faith and love. To be

just what we have. A community of

limits of your ability do not exist.

the best version of ourselves we

servant leaders and change makers.

can be.

This is Ambrose. Pass it on.

1

2

COVID-SECURE LEARNING All building users must:

Stay off school if you are at all unwell or have COVID-like symptoms

Focus on staying well and looking after the wellbeing of others

Adhere to social distancing of 2 metres from adults and

from pupils who are not in your class or year group bubble

Follow floor markings, keeping to the left and avoiding crossing over with other groups of pupils

Wear a face covering on public transport and in corridors and social areas of the school (they are not necessary in classrooms). Clear visors are supplied for staff.

Wash your hands more often for at least 20 seconds

and/or use the hand sanitizer provided on entry to teaching spaces and classrooms

Follow the instructions of staff at all times and bring your own equipment, uniform and kit

Gather in the designated area at the start of the day

Remain in your year group or class bubble unless moving to lunch, break or at the start and end of the day

Dear Pupil, Welcome back. It has been a long time since we were all together and, for some of you, this is your first time in our school. I hope that you have enjoyed your summer break and, despite all of the challenges, I hope that if possible, lockdown had some benefits for you.

You may be anxious about coming back to school and there may be people around you who are anxious - this is normal and expected. The staff are hear to support you and make this process as easy and enjoyable as possible - no-one will be left out, left behind or left alone.

I am sure that many of you have learnt new things during lockdown and I know from speaking to your teachers that many of you have worked extremely hard and have achieved a great deal. That is useful and powerful learning.

If you are worried about gaps in your learning then we will help you to recover this learning over time. If you feel that you are struggling in any way, please just ask for help.

The most important thing about us is that we are a loving, Catholic family at St. Ambrose Barlow and, in the weeks ahead as we get used to being together again, this bond between us will be vital in making us a successful community. This booklet explains most of what you need to know for the weeks ahead and will be discussed in more detail by your teachers.

I wish you well and am delighted to welcome you back.

God bless,

Ben Davis Headteacher

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WHAT IF I AM

WORRIED ABOUT COMING BACK TO SCHOOL?

First of all, acknowledge that this is a normal feeling - don’t hide it or punish yourself for feeling that way and don’t focus on what you think other people are feeling. Even those people who seem confident and happy all the time might be anxious.

Talk about it - express that feeling to others, such as a member of staff, other trusted adult or family member or friend

You may find it helps to write down your feelings, looking back on how you have coped with the last few months

Recognise that you are able to cope with what is happening and, with the support of adults, parents and carers, you can succeed. Be hopeful.

Speak to a form tutor or your Head of House Ask for a referral to our School Counsellor. There are other services we can access and many of our staff are trained coaches.

Focus on one thing at a time: getting ready, getting into school, arriving on time, seeing your friends. Notice what is going well.

There will be several members of staff across the school who will be directly

concerned with your wellbeing. They can be spoken with and, if necessary, we can meet with you and your parent or carer to put in place a plan.

Remember, not only is the feeling of worry natural (it actually helps to protect you from harm, by preparing you for dealing with challenges), but for most

people once the term has started the feeling will lessen or disappear altogether and other feelings will take its place. You may, for example, find yourself excited about new classes, curious about your learning and fulfilled by your achievements.

Above all, whatever is bothering you, do not go through it alone. Speak to someone. We can help. You are part of our family.

Introduction We have drawn up a robust plan, supported

Our plan has also been informed by a wide

by risk assessment, that allows all of our

range of advice and guidance from the

pupils and staff to return, full time, to school in

government, the local authority, professional

September. What follows is a summary of the

associations and unions and the latest

main elements of the plan that will be of most

research. In particular we have looked at

relevance to parents and carers.

research on learning and teaching, curriculum, wellbeing and supporting trauma, anxiety

Our plan, like those of all other schools, is

and distress. You may be interested to read

based on the best and latest information and

the following article which has assisted in our

guidance from the government about the safe

thinking:

opening of schools.

We will change the plan, if necessary, in We have followed Public Health England (PHE)

response to new information about the

guidance and will continue to review the plan

COVID-19 virus or different guidance from the

over the summer holidays.

government.

Government advice for secondary schools asks us to: • Treat year groups as ‘bubbles’ by ensuring that they do not mix • Enhancing cleaning rotas • Ensuring a high profile is given to hand hygiene

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1. Priorities: Safety and Wellbeing First to Support Learning Our priorities in writing this plan are the same as those that we have applied consistently to all aspects of school life since mid-March.

These are: 1. Safety, health and security: risk assessment, focus on vulnerable, ensuring equity and fairness 2. Wellbeing of all 3. Communications: integrity, clarity, simplicity 4. Learning, wider achievement and personal development: securing outcomes; maintaining the quality of learning and a broad and balanced curriculum 5. Organisational growth, development and improvement 6. Adaptive, Catholic, values-based leadership: our commitment to our community and the most vulnerable especially You will see that top of our list is safety, followed by wellbeing. When pupils return we will not be rushing to push them to ‘catchup’. Everything we do will be geared towards ensuring that they are familiar with new arrangements, that they feel safe and secure

and that their wellbeing is taken care of. We have been successful in maintaining a full, broad and balanced curriculum – our pupils will not be disadvantaged and will have every opportunity to thrive in their learning and personal development. However, we recognise that creating this plan has meant making compromises to elements of our curriculum, for example, in order to ensure that we implement the full range of statutory safety measures.

How we will respond to symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) from September 2020 As you know, it is the government’s plan that all children should attend school from September 2020 and everyone at our school is delighted to welcome back all our pupils. The government has produced information for parents which you can read by following the link at the end of this letter.

The scientific evidence shows that coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a much lower risk to children than adults of becoming severely ill, and there is no evidence that children transmit the disease any more than adults. Of course, there will still be risks while coronavirus (COVID-19) remains in the community, and that is why schools and colleges will be asked to put in place a range of protective measures.

We have completed a health and safety risk

the person does not have the classic symptoms

assessment as part of their plans to re-open

of fever, cough or loss of taste/smell. There are

schools in September. This will be available on our website, in the COVID section from September 2nd. The Local Authority has put in place a process to support schools in dealing

many illnesses that can give rise to concern.

Please contact your GP or NHS111 if you are worried; or call 999 if seriously unwell.

with any suspected or confirmed cases of

The information below provides a summary of

coronavirus in schools and this letter outlines

the common symptoms of coronavirus. A test

what steps parents, carers and families must

is needed for anyone who has one of the most

take.

common symptoms of the virus (outlined in Section A) or at least two of the other symptoms

What to do if your child is unwell

outlined in Section B.

If your child is unwell, for any reason, even

Section A

with mild symptoms please do not send them to school until the symptoms have gone for 48 hours. Please do this even if, in normal circumstances, you would send your child in with mild symptoms.

A well person or child: feels 100% well,

seems themselves and not displaying any changes in behaviour or their daily routines. https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/coronavirus-covid-19implementing-protective-measures-ineducation-and-childcare-settings As we head into autumn and winter, Public Health in Salford are advising to consider a

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following: • A new continuous cough • A high temperature (fever) • A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) Any one of the above symptoms gives reason for high level of suspicion for COVID-19.

A well person or child: feels 100% well, seems themselves and not displaying any changes in behaviour or their daily routines.

combination of new symptoms (two or more) if

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Section B An unwell person or child could be a possible case of COVID-19.

A combination of symptoms (two or more) below gives reason for high level of suspicion for COVID-19.

Vomiting/nausea/off their food, diarrhoea, sleeping more than usual, complaining of not feeling themselves, listless/restless/agitated, shortness of breath, feeling cold, headache, severe body aches, sore throat/congested or runny nose, skin rash - anything that is not feeling themselves.

NB For fevers, the NHS advice is to look for a high temperature – ‘this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back; you do not need to measure your temperature’.

If your child becomes unwell at home in any way or if anyone in your household is unwell,

they should not attend school. Please let school know the reason for your child’s absence and we will discuss with you if your child needs a test using the criteria above. If a test isn’t needed as your child has only one of the nonclassic symptoms of coronavirus then your child can return to school once they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

If your child becomes unwell whilst in

school, we will contact you and your child

will need to be sent home. Your child will be supervised separately from other children and other members of the school community while he or she is waiting to go home.

We will contact the Local Authority Infection Control Team to inform them of the need to arrange a test. You will be contacted with information on what you must do to arrange a test for your child and details of how and where this will be carried out. Please wait for this call. Your child must remain at home while awaiting the test and the result and your child, and all members of your household, should not come into contact with other people outside of your household. You must not go to a doctors, hospital or NHS facility during this time unless symptoms become serious.

What to do when you get the results of the coronavirus test Once you have got your child’s test results, or the test results of anyone else in your household, you must phone the school and inform them of the results. Even if the results are negative, you must still tell your child’s school. This is to protect the rest of the school community.

What to do if your child’s coronavirus test is negative You must inform us of this straight away.

If your child’s result is negative and they are free of the symptoms for 48 hours and no longer feel unwell, they can return to school as long as they are not isolating due to being a contact of a positive case. Household members can also end their isolation, unless someone else is awaiting results of a coronavirus test.

What to do if your child’s coronavirus test is positive You must inform your child’s school of this straight away. This is so they can inform the Local Authority so that next steps can be taken to protect others.

If your child attended school in the 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms and up to the point of testing, Salford public health team will work with school and your family to establish any contacts that may have been made with others in the community, both in and out of school.

Your child will need to self-isolate for at least 10

last longer than 10 days, but your child can still return to school. Advice on self-isolation will be available from Infection Control.

Your household and any other contacts must isolate for 14 days and watch for symptoms. If these appear then they will need to be tested.

What do if your child is sent home because another child in their bubble (e.g. class or year group) has tested positive If the other child with a positive test outcome attended the school in the 48 hours prior to symptoms appearing, a decision may be made that your child’s class or year group has to go home for isolation. This is to protect members of the school community and others.

If your child is sent home, your child’s school will inform you of this and your child will need to self-isolate for 14 days and watch for symptoms. Your child will be offered a test if symptoms do appear. Members of your household will not need to isolate, unless your own child develops symptoms. All pupils in the bubble will need to isolate for 14 days even if your child has a negative test result during this time.

days until they feel better and symptoms have gone. A cough or lack of taste and smell might

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If children are sent home they will be provided with learning to complete at home during the period of isolation and we will keep in touch with you.

Further Information For further information please follow the links below. Guidance for parents about early Years providers and schools: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/what-parentsand-carers-need-to-know-about-earlyyears-providers-schools-and-collegesduring-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/ what-parents-and-carers-need-to-knowabout-early-years-providers-schools-andcolleges-in-the-autumn-term#process-in-theevent-of-outbreaks

3. additional Training Days & phased return of pupils Our calendar currently has one day dedicated to staff training on September 1st. The local authority has given schools the opportunity to add an additional three training days, we have opted to add only one. Therefore our calendar for the start of the year for staff training and for the phased return of pupils is as follows: Tuesday, September 1st

Training Day

Thursday, September 3rd

Years 7 & 11

Wednesday, September 2nd Friday, September 4th

Monday, September 7th

Tuesday, September 8th

Wednesday, September 9th Thursday, September 10th

Training Day

Years 7 & 11

Years 8, 9 & 10 Years 7, 9 & 11

Years 8, 10 & 11 All year groups

2. Supporting Vulnerable Pupils 4.School Day Our plan has been created with our most vulnerable pupils in mind. They will be prioritised for support in phasing them back into school. We have created smaller ‘nurture’ groups for some children who will find returning to school especially challenging. However we are confident that all of our pupils can return safely, successfully and can thrive once back in school full-time. Further support will take the form of coaching, mentoring, buddying or revised timetables. Key to this will be close working and relationships with pupils’ families.

From September 3rd we will operate an altered school day. This ensures that we are able to put in place enhanced cleaning processes between lunch sittings, but maximises classroom time for pupils.

Lunch time is shorter and we have rearranged our canteen servery capacity. All serveries will offer the same food choice and our menu will be limited to a smaller range of items. Pupils are welcome to bring a packed lunch into school but must not share this with other pupils.

Packed lunches must be brought to school in disposable wrapping.

Year 9: MUGA Year 10: 3G

Within this school day we have included

Year 11: MUGA

capacity for staggering the start of the school

Arrival time for all pupils: by 8:45am be arriving

day to keep year groups separate once they

Transit time to class/ duties: 8:45am - 9:00am

are all on site.

‘Form time’: 9:00pm (flexibility) Period 1 starts 9:15am sharp

Cohort 1

Cohort 2=

Year 8 & 10

Year 7 & 9 & 11

Staff will collect from designated gathering points.

REG

08:45 - 09:15

REG

08:45 - 09:15

P1

09:15 - 10:15

P1

09:15 - 10:15

BREAK

10:15 - 10:30

P2

10:15 - 11:15

travel mean that we have not implemented

P2

10:30 - 11:30

BREAK

11:15 - 11:30

staggered starts.

P3

11:30 - 12:30

P3

11:30 - 12:30

Staggered departure times (in place initially,

LUNCH

12:30 - 13:00

P4

12:30 - 13:30

reviewed as the term progresses)

P4

13:00 - 14:00

LUNCH

13:30 - 14:00

Pupils will leave the building each afternoon in

P5

14:00 - 15:00

P5

14:00 - 15:00

the following order at the following times:

Start times and gathering points at the start of day We have built time into the school to allow pupils to gather at designated points and be escorted to their Period 1 class. This will take place as follows:

The pressure on public transport, demands on families and distances that our young people

Zone 1 Maths: 3:00pm Zone 2 Eng: 3:00pm

Zone 3 MfL/RE: 2:45pm

Zone 4 Science: 2:45pm

Zone 5 Creative: 2:50pm

Zone 6 Extension: 2:50pm

Pupil Support Area: 3:00pm

Year 7: Wooded Area Year 8: 3G

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5. Bubbles and Zoning of the school for safety All pupils have been allocated a bubble class or group. In the case of Years 7 - 9 this is the class of approximately 30 that you will stay with all of the time. In the case of Years 10 and 11 Vertical Tutoring We will maintain our system of vertical tutoring.

However, it is clearly not safe for pupils to be place into their mixed year group forms at present. Instead, on the first five days of the term each year group will have a session with their tutor in groups of approximately 5-6 pupils. This will afford an opportunity for intensive coaching and mentoring and a much more focused wellbeing check. This will be repeated twice for each year group during the half-term. To facilitate this other year groups will be sent home early

this is your Year Group.

In Years 7 - 9 you will be with the Bubble class all day for every class and most of the time will remain in the same room, unless you are collected by a member of staff and taken to specialist teaching rooms for some subjects.

In Years 10 and 11 you will remain with your year group, but your class groupings will change according to your subjects and there are some days where you might spend all five periods in one subject. This is to maximise the time you have with it.

We have divided our school into zones, allocating a year group to each zone.

Throughout the week there will be minimal movement across these zones by pupils and, where this does take place, there will be enhanced cleaning of these areas. By doing this we are able to guarantee that pupils cover all subjects within the curriculum and do so in appropriate rooms. This means that while they may spend less time in a subject they are always taught by a specialist and their experience is rich and purposeful.

Week 1 Zone

Area

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1

Maths Rooms

Year 8

Year 8

Year 8

Year 11

Year 8

Year 11

Year 10

Year 11

Year 10

Year 10

Year 9

Year 9

Year 9

Year 10

Year 9

Year 7

Year 11

Year 9

Year 11

Year 10

Year 8

Year 7

Year 7

Year 7

Year 7

2 3 4 5 6

English Rooms

RE / MFL Rooms

Science Labs Creative Rooms

Extension

Week 2 Zone

Area

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1

Maths Rooms

Year 8

Year 11

Year 8

Year 8

Year 11

Year 10

Year 10

Year 11

Year 10

Year 9

Year 9

Year 9

Year 9

Year 10

Year 8

Year 11

Year 9

Year 7

Year 11

Year 10

Year 8

Year 7

Year 7

Year 7

Year 7

2 3 4 5 6

English Rooms

RE / MFL Rooms

Science Labs Creative Rooms

Extension

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Curriculum: Wellbeing and Learning

We have made adjustments to the time allocations to subjects in Years 7-9, but Years 10 and 11 will have the same amount of time in subjects as they would have done had things been normal. Our curriculum has been designed to support effective learning and excellent outcomes as well as nurturing young people’s wellbeing and their broader skills and achievements. It is about inspiration and recovery.

We are sure that with strong relationships, high quality teaching from subject specialists and careful planning and checking of progress, pupils will make a strong start in September and will go on to progress. We will focus on consolidating the learning they have done during lockdown, recognising their achievements, addressing any gaps quickly and effectively. There is, as has been said in previous letters, no need for parents or pupils to be anxious about ‘catching up’.

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a. Time Allocations These allocations are as follows: KS4 Years 10 and 11 Subject

Hours (2 week cycle)

Subject

Hours (2 week cycle)

RE

5

Option1

5

English

9

Option 2

5

Maths

8

PE

2

Science

9

PSHE

1

Humanity

6

KS3 Years 7,8,and 9 Subject

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

RE

4

5

5

Maths

8

8

8

English

8

8

8

Science

5

5

5

History

3

3

3

Geography

3

3

3

French

2

3

3

DT/ ICT

2

2

2

PE

2

2

2

Art

2

3

3

Music

1

1

1

Drama

1

1

1

Literacy

4

2

2

PSHE

2

2

2

Ambrose Project

3

2

2

b. Additional Opportunities You will see that we have included some extra opportunities for pupils.

c. Blended Learning

In years 7, 8 and 9 pupils will have Literacy lessons. These will help them to consolidate

The online learning offer that we have

the work that they have completed at home,

developed over the past four months will

feel more secure in accessing the curriculum

remain in place. It will be the basis of our

and provide a wider set of skills that will

homework system and will complement the

improve their learning in all other areas.

work that pupils do in class, meaning that there is no way that they will be disadvantaged by

In all year groups we have included a

not covering courses fully. It will also be part of

commitment to Personal, Social, Health &

our contingency plan in the event that there are

Citizenship Education (PSHCE). This is

localised lockdowns or if the school needs to

because we wish to increase our capacity to

close fully or partially for any reason.

support and develop our pupils’ wellbeing and character in response to their experiences of COVID-19 and as a result of global events and issues that have arisen the last few months. We have put in place a detailed and challenging curriculum for this.

The Ambrose Project builds on the success of the project work that Year 10 (next year’s Year 11) have begun. Time at home has led many pupils to improve their independent learning skills and has meant that many have achieved things that would not normally be possible in

d. Class Groupings As far as possible class groupings or sets will remain the same in Years 10 and 11. However, in Years 7-9 we have introduced more “mixed ability” groups. This is as a result of changes that we have had to make to the timetable for the sake of safety. Staff are prepared for this and have adjusted the curriculum, where necessary, in order to ensure that all pupils can make good progress.

a school curriculum. We want to build on this and ensure that pupils can pursue a passion, explore an interest in more depth, be curious and creative and establish better learning and study skills in the process.

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E. PE changing and sports curriculum We have adapted the expectations of sports kit, but allowing pupils to wear plain black trainers to school. This is to reduce the time taken with changing and to save parents and carers money at a time when many may be facing greater hardship. Pupils will still

7. Ready and Safe for Learning Our high expectations remain unchanged.

We still expect our pupils to arrive on time for school, ready for learning and exhibiting safe, respectful and caring behaviour towards others.

a. Pupil Support

be expected to change into their kit for most activities, for reasons of comfort and hygiene.

Our pastoral care system will remain the

The PE department has adapted the curriculum

same. Fundamentally, the relationships that

to eliminate contact sport, maximise the use

have been built up between form tutors and

of external space and ensure that internal

families during lockdown will be the bedrock

activities are COVID-safe.

of our system for care and wellbeing as go forward. Whilst we will not be able to continue

F. Supply Cover We will only use external supply teachers in very exceptional circumstances in order to minimise the risk of visitors bringing infections into the school. Therefore it is possible that there are times when a lack of available staff means we may need to close the school to

with vertical form tutoring in its usual format, each child will belong to a house and will have regular contact with their from tutor.

Assemblies will take place in year groups, but will be less frequent. Our careers programme will continue as normal.

b. Safeguarding

a year group in order to ensure safety and continuity. In the event that this occurs we will

We updated our Safeguarding and Child

trigger our contingency plan and any pupils

Protection policy several times over the past

who cannot be educated in school will use our

four months and the latest version can be

home learning and online resources. Clearly,

found on our website. The systems that

we will do everything we can to avoid this

support effective safeguarding in school will

occurring.

remain unchanged, but there will be a greater emphasis on ensuring that there are regular checks on young people’s wellbeing.

c. Attendance and Punctuality The government have stated that all pupils, as of September, must be back in school. We are very keen to work with parents and carers collaboratively to secure pupils’ attendance and recognise that for some pupils coming back to school will be a source of great anxiety and worry. We also know that a small number of pupils with underlying health conditions may find it hard to return to school or may not be able to. We also expect that there will be times

d. Behaviour and Relationships In preparation for the return of Year 10 we revised our policy on Behaviour and Relationships. This has not changed and is available on our website. Now more than

when some children may need to self-isolate.

ever it is vital that pupils adhere to behaviour

We have no intention of taking a punitive

wellbeing of all pupils and staff. We will issue

approach, but will instead provide support, understanding and systems that reassure pupils and their families. Returning to school can be difficult for us all, it is something that we do together safely in accordance with our values of care and compassion. This way we are sure that almost all pupils will be able to be

expectations in place to ensure the safety and all pupils with a new Home-School Agreement outlining and reinforcing our expectations and any ways in which these have changed when they return to school in September. Happy and strong relationships remain at the heart of everything we do. A copy of the Home-School Agreement is included in this booklet.

in school, on time every day.

In line with advice previously issued on several occasions parents and carers are reminded that pupils who are unwell should not be sent to school.

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e. Uniform and Equipment

8. Travel to school

Pupils should wear full uniform as normal from

Pupils are encouraged to walk or cycle to

September 3rd. The only adaptation we are

school or be driven by a family member.

putting in place is to permit pupils to wear plain

Where pupils need to use public transport they

black trainers (no markings, colour or logos).

must follow rules on the use of a face mask.

This removes the need to change into PE kit

We are not able to offer additional bike storage

and recognises that more children are likely to

space, so pupils who cycle to school must be

be walking to school.

especially careful to arrive in enough time to lock their bike away safely. The school cannot

Pupils are expected to bring their own pens,

take responsibility for private property which is

pencils and other stationery to school each

stored on school grounds.

day. They must not share these with other pupils. We will keep sets of stationery in school

Where pupils are required to be dropped by

for issuing to pupils as necessary.

private car the expectations are as follows:

• Pupils should bring (in a pencil case):

• Please do not park on Ash Drive or near

• Black or blue writing pens

the school, there are elderly and infirm

• Ruler

residents who may need emergency access

• Eraser • Pencils • Pencil Sharpener • A green pen for redrafting • A scientific calculator (this can be

• All road markings and relevant aspects of the Highway Code are followed • Parents and carers must not interact with others • No waiting

purchased in school for £5.50) • Compass • A highlighter pen

9. Contingency and school closure

The revised uniform and equipment list was

Government guidelines require all schools to

• Protractor

issued earlier this term and is appended to this document.

have a contingency plan in the event that they have to close as a result of local or national

lockdowns or because staffing levels make it

• Avoiding contact between groups

difficult to staff provision for all year groups.

• Arranging classrooms with forward facing

Our contingency plan, once finalised, will be

desks where appropriate and possible

available on our website as of early September.

• An emphasis on robust hygiene and hand

In the event that we do need to close the main

hygiene especially. All pupils will be

steps we will take are:

inducted into routines that support this.

• Increased and enhanced cleaning

• Ensuring the wellbeing of pupils and their

schedules, including cleaning frequently

families through form tutor and Head of

touched surfaces often, using standard

House contact

products such as detergents and bleach

• Prioritising vulnerable pupils in this process • Ensuring pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals receive their entitlement • Maintaining in-school provision for key

• Ensuring good respiratory hygiene with a ‘catch it, kill it, bin it’ approach • Social distancing of 2 metres between pupils and staff and between adults – this

worker and vulnerable pupils (unless

must be adhered to by all building users.

government advise is that this should not

Pupils will expected to socially distance

happen)

from one another where possible

• Ensuring the continuity of teaching and learning via Google Classroom and other home learning platforms

• Compliance with local and national test and trace systems • Dedicated medical rooms • Minimal movement around the school by all

10. Protective Measures In September we will continue to use in the full range of protective measures that are currently in place in school.

These include: • Thorough risk assessment, regularly updated and reviewed • Grouping children together in year group bubbles

users • The use of personal protective equipment for staff where necessary • Managing confirmed cases of COVID-19 inline with local and national guidance, including providing information to parents and carers • Ensuring that people who are ill do not attend school • Managing any cases or outbreaks by following local health protection team advice

26

Home School Agreement Reconnection and Recovery How we will work together to make the best of the return to school and find opportunity in adversity Together, home and school we will maintain a positive focus on what pupils can do, have learnt, will achieve and using the resources they have to support them. We will work on this together and get through it, ensuring that children are successful and thrive.

The school and its staff will: a. Prioritise health, safety, wellbeing and inclusion in all decision-making and actions, ensure an environment that, whilst not riskfree, is supported by a range of COVIDsecure protective measures b. Ensure a calm, caring and loving environment within which young people can thrive and make a successful return to school c. Re-establish relationships with young people and their families that help them make a successful return to school, including by supporting them with anxiety, distress or trauma d. Celebrate young people and the way that

they have achieved and coped whilst out of school e. Make our expectations clear and easy to follow f. Make it clear that success and a positive outcome at the end of this year can be achieved g. Communicate promptly any changes to our plans or developments as soon possible, including national updates from the DfE, Ofqual and others and any instances where the school needs to shut fully or partially h. Ensure the best possible online and home learning curriculum when this is necessary i. Provide the best in-school experience possible j. Support young people with their wellbeing and provide excellent pastoral care and support at home and in school k. Meet the needs of young people with SEND taking into account the latest revised advice from the Department for Education l. Support young people who find it hard to follow protective measures by making reasonable adjustments where necessary and appropriate

Pupils will

Parents and carers will

a. Always abide by the school’s protective

a. Ensure that their child(ren) abide by social

measures and act in a way that places the

distancing and other protective measures at

highest priority on the health, safety and

home and in the community

wellbeing of others by listening to adults and responding quickly and respectfully b. Contribute to ensuring that the school

b. Ensure that their child(ren) do not attend school if there are any doubts at all about their health, regardless of whether or not

environment is calm, caring and loving for

the symptoms are COVID-like based on the

all

latest official advice

c. Co-operate with all protective measures that

c. Support the school in its application of

are in place for the good of the safety of the

protective measures and in prioritising

community

health, wellbeing and safety for the good of

d. Ensure other young people are included and that any young person about whom

all d. Ensure that their child(ren) arrive on time,

they are worried is directed to speak to an

have correct equipment if needed and are

adult for support

appropriately dressed

a. Do their very best to work at home, following e. Support their child in their online and home a timetable, using the agreed materials and platforms and completing and submitting

learning including the Ambrose Project f. Read return to school information from

work on time, including the Ambrose Project

the school and follow the advice and

and other wider opportunities

expectations given

b. Use time in school effectively to get support with work at home c. Arrive on time, with the correct equipment and appropriately dressed d. Go straight home at the end of the day without gathering with others (or doing so on the way to school) e. Wear a face mask on public transport and in school

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St Ambrose Barlow RC High School A National School of Creativity

37 Ash Drive | Wardley | Swinton | M27 9QP | Tel 0161 921 1570 | office@ambrose.salford.sch.uk | www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org | Twitter: @SABSalford