Covid-19 safety at Tockington Manor School and Nursery

Covid-19 safety measures at Tockington Manor School and Nursery

Message from the Headmaster Our distance learning in the Summer Term delivered some excellent teaching and made all of

help. We continue to rely on the cooperation and understanding of our staff, pupils and par-

us think of new ways to learn, teach and even deliver assemblies. However, we were all very

ents to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the school and nursery.

keen for our children to return to school and after a successful end to our Summer Term, which saw Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 return full time and all other Year groups return for

At the start of this pandemic I emphasised the importance of communication between the

activity days, we were eager to have everyone back in September.

school and parents. This is becoming ever more important and I ask all parents to be more vigilant and stick to the guidelines we have in place.

In preparation for our return to school in September we put many additional safety measures and procedures in place to make it as safe as possible for our pupils and our staff. As the term

We continue to be here for you and our pupils. Our new safety measures have reduced the

has continued we have regularly reviewed these and made amendments or added additonal

opportunities for you to have contact with the teachers and myself. I would encourage you to

measures. We suspect more changes will be needed as the school year continues and will

email us if you have any concerns or questions. All staff have their own email address and can

continue to communicate these with pupils and parents as quickly as possible.

arrange socially distanced meetings or phone calls with parents.

We created a Covid Committee of myself, Bursar, Senior Management Team, and other

I thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this time.

members from key areas of the school to meet regularly to discuss contingency planning.

Our aim being to have a process in place for all scenarios to ensure the safety, wellbeing and continued education for all our pupils.

This scenario planning has already been tested and the processes found to be robust and

Stephen Symonds

watertight. We all want to avoid Year Groups needing to self-isolate again, but we need your

Headmaster

School Life Our priority is to provide a safe environment for all of our pupils. We have introduced a

Additional precautions

number of additional safety measures and procedures within the school and nursery.

We completed Risk Assessments for a safe return to school, which remain working documents. This was assessed and approved by our insurers, Hettle Andrews, and is available

Enhanced hygiene and cleaning regime

to parents upon request. We conducted a thorough tour with Hettle Andrews at the start of

The enhanced cleaning regime introduced in the Summer Term continues with particular

the school year when a full review of our procedures was carried out.

focus on shared areas and frequently touched surfaces. All pupils and staff are encouraged to regularly wash or sanitise their hands. Wall mounted hand sanitiser units are positioned at key

Saturday School

points around the school. Where possible, windows are kept open to provide good ventilation

Saturday School has taken place as normal for Years 5 – 8. Drop off arrangements remain as

in classrooms. Desks and chairs are sanitised between each lesson.

they always have been. Children from Years 5 - 8 are dropped at the front of the school and make their own way to registration. At noon parents should wait in the staff car park, between

Face Masks

the Lower School and Nursery for their children, who will be free to leave after they have

Our teachers have all been asked to wear clear visors or masks where possible. In some

signed out with the member of staff on duty.

classrooms teachers also have plastic shields around their desks to help with distancing.

• Pupils in Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 are required to wear a mask when moving around the school to

Please arrive at the exact time and leave promptly to ensure we keep safe distancing and to

help minimise contact with other bubbles. They are not required to wear one whilst eating,

make sure staff are able to coordinate these times of the day smoothly. Please help us by

outside for PE, break times or in classrooms.

maintaining social distancing protocol at all times.

• All visitors are asked to wear a mask onsite.

Sport and activities Flexi Boarding We are not offering flexi-boarding for the Autumn Term. This will be reviewed

receive additional activity lessons instead.

in the New Year and we will update parents accordingly.

Our First Aid Coordinator, Miss Hale and, Head of Swimming, Mrs Hinchliffe attended Covid Activities and Clubs These will be run in accordance to guidelines where possible but sadly

training through the Swimming Teachers’ Association. Swimmers must have their own kit

some activities will not be possible just yet. Lower School clubs will not be offered for the time

in kit bags, we are not allowed to lend goggles, hair bands, hats or swim wear. Teachers are

being but aftercare is available.

not able to fit goggles or hats. Swimmers should use the same peg for the year in squad and lessons, wherever practical. Sessions are slightly shorter to allow class change over times and

PE and Sports fixtures We are offering a full curriculum of sports this school year, but there

sanitising of the pool and equipment.

will be no sports fixtures at this present time. We are following the National Governing Body guidelines across all sports and will adapt as necessary. Any fixtures at Tockington will be

Music Performances We will continue to hold these in as full a way as possible, whether

closed events, including Cross Country, unfortunately no parents will be allowed to attend.

this means as a “virtual concert” like the one held in the Summer Term or with an audience.

This includes Year 3 & 4 Cross Country.

Each planned event will be considered on a case by case basis determined, by the regulations imposed at that time.

Swimming Swimming returned for pupils in Year 1 toYear 8, with a phased start for Reception when it is practical to do so.

FOTM We are all eager to get back to normal, and a big part of our Tockington family are our

Unfortunately, Nursery are unable to have swimming lessons because of the direct contact

FOTM events. When we know more about the guidance and conditions imposed on us, we

required from staff to ensure their safety. This will be assessed regularly, and the children will

will let parents know more details about planned events.

Catering Our catering team, Harrisons’ have undertaken their own full review and are following specif-

Masks

ic guidelines. The serving area is behind screens and all catering staff wear masks. To reduce

Our teachers and pupils in Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 are required to wear a mask whilst queuing for

points of contact pupils have food served to them.

their food, but are not required to wear one whilst eating.

Timings

Breakfast Club

Lunchtimes are staggered to help reduce the amount of children in the dining hall at any one

This starts at 7:45am and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

time.

Lower School will go for lunch in their bubbles but once they have finished the Harrisons’

Birthday Cakes

team sanitise all touch points within the dining room. Years 3 & 4 arrive shortly after 1pm

We are still able to provide birthday cakes if given plenty of notice. A special “covid cake” has

followed by Years 5 & 6 and then 7 & 8.

been purchsed to allow the traditional singing and blowing out of candles.

Between each ‘bubble’ touch points are sanitised again allowing for the sanitiser to be on the relevant points for five minutes before wiping clean.

Some of the Upper School have a short break outside before coming in so they do not waste time queuing and so that we do not have a build up of children in one area.

Water bottles All pupils are encouraged to bring in their own named water bottle.

Drop off and Collection Please adhere to social distancing rules when collecting or dropping off your child. Remain

Collection

2 metres apart from all other parents when dropping off or collecting your child and do not

• There are new one way systems in the school. Please familiarise yourself with the route for

gather in groups. If you come onto site please wear a mask. This includes the car parks if you

drop off and collection and do not wander around the school site.

leave your car. If you have a valid reason not to wear one, please make the office aware.

• The Upper School collection point is from the back car park, please do not walk through the school site.

Drop off

• Please arrive at the exact time and leave promptly to ensure we keep safe distancing and to

• Please use the drop off point at the front of school for all Upper School pupils. Please pull

make sure staff are able to coordinate these times of the day smoothly.

in at the front of the Manor House where your child can leave the car and enter via the main

• Reception and Year 1B parents should collect from the collonade. Year 1A parents to wait

door. Parents are reminded to drive safely whilst on the school site.

opposite the Music Suite and Year 2 parents to wait on the end slope by the back lobby.

• Year 2 and Year 1A pupils should be dropped off using the drop off system at the front of the

• If collecting a Lower School and Upper School pupil at the same time, please park in the

Manor House. If your child needs help getting out of the car please pull into one of the

back car park and follow the one-way system.

parking spaces. They are met by teachers and escorted to their classroom.

• Our external swimming clubs have been instructed to change their arrival times to avoid our

• Reception and Year 1B parents are asked to park in the back car park and walk in via the

school schedule.

nursery entrance observing the one way system around the school. Pupils are met by their

• Parents should not use the gate between the music suite and swimming pool.

teacher at the classroom door. Please maintain a social distance at all times and wear a mask.

This is a busy time so we ask parents to arrive and leave promptly.

Collection from Aftercare

• If you have a child in Lower and Upper School please use the drop off zone for the youngest

• Collection from School should only be at 3:15pm (Lower School only), 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm or

child. Or, if you are happy to, the older sibling can escort them to their classroom from the

after supper at 6:30pm. Please do not collect your child at any other time.

main entrance.

• Lower School Aftercare collection is from outside of the School Hall, please do not go into

• If dropping off for Breakfast Club please use the main drop off point. This must be booked at

the Hall but wait by the doors as you may be directed to meet your child at another exit. Please

least 24 hours in advance.

do not go to any other part of the school site, including the astro.

Visits to the site Where possible we have reduced the number of visitors on site, but we do want to keep our

School Tours

doors open as much as possible. We have put enchanced protocols in place for visitors coming

We want to continue to help new parents discover our school and nursery. Private tours are a

on to site which include:

key part to this, so we have made some changes to what we can offer. Throughout the Summer we offered socially-distanced private tours and 1:1 video calls. These will continue during term

•

Declaration All visitors are asked to declare in advance that they will NOT come onto site

time but only take place after 4:30pm or on Saturdays and do not include access to classrooms

if they, or a member of their household, have any symptoms of Covid-19, or have been in

where children will be.

contact with someone who has tested positive.

•

•

Hand Sanitising Everyone on site must sanitise their hands on entering and exiting the

School Guidelines

school or nursery. Everyone is encouraged to clean their hands thoroughly using the

Everyone on the school site, including parents at drop off and collection, must follow our

wash stations or hand sanitisers throughout the school.

guidelines:

Social Distancing All visitors must maintain a social distance from staff, pupils and other

•

site. This includes the car park.

parents whilst on site.

•

TMAC A Temperature Monitoring Access Control machine has been donated to the

Social Distancing Maintain a social distance from staff, pupils and other parents whilst on

•

Face Masks Please wear a face mask whilst on site.

school. This will remotely take the temperature of everyone entering via the Manor House •

entrance and instruct visitors to wear a mask.

Most importantly DO NOT come onto site if you, or a member of your household, have any

Track and Trace App All visitors to the site are encouraged to scan our QR code using the

symptoms of Covid-19, are waiting for test results, have booked a test, have been in contact

NHS Covid-19 app. We also have full contact details for anyone visiting.

with someone who has tested positive or should be self-isolating. If in doubt please stay at home and contact us.

Medical Care Please familiarise yourself with what you need to do if you or your child is unwell.

It is that time of year where children develop colds and at this time it is expected that we will

Do NOT come into school or nursery if you, your child or a member of your household has

all be more cautious. However, whilst in school we will continue to follow our protocols:

symptoms. If you are unsure then please contact us before you or your child comes to site.

• If your child has a high temperature they must remain at home until their temperature can be maintained without the use of medicine.

Symptoms of Covid-19

• If your child has a cold (sore throat or blocked nose), but no temperature they can come into

Please ensure that you notify the school if you, your child or a member of your household

school.

displays symptoms, has been in contact with someone who has tested positive or has tested positive yourself. The NHS categorise the main symptoms of coronavirus as:

If your child is ill at school

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not

If a pupil develops symptoms at school they will be taken to the isolation room, situated in the

need to measure your temperature)

Boarding House, where they will be supervised by a member of staff wearing appropriate PPE.

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more

Parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child. Parents should follow government

coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

advice and arrange for an NHS test and inform the school of the outcome.

• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If your child or member of household has a positive test result

• When did you and your family members have a test

If a pupil or member of your household has symptoms you should already be self isolating.

• When did the test results come back and their results

Please notify the school if you are having a Covid test and as soon as you get the results. We

If you contact the school to notify us that you or a member of your household has been

will liaise with PHE regarding contact in school or nursery, but it is your responsibility to

identified as a “contact” of someone who has tested positive, we will ask you:

contact anyone you have been in contact with outside of school.

• When the person was tested and when they began to display symptoms • When you, or your family, were last in contact with that person.

Notifying the school If you contact the school to notify that you or a member of your household displays symptoms

If your child is self-isolating at home (due to them or a family member having symptoms or

or has been tested positive we will need to ask you some specific questions. These are the

having had a positive test) teachers will endeavour to provide school work for them. If your

questions we are asked when we contact PHE and forms part of their decision process.

child is unwell at home for any other reason we presume they are too ill for school work and

• When did the symptoms begin (for each member of your household)

none will sent home for the first week.

Self-isolating Should a pupil, member of staff or parent get a positive Covid-19 test result we will follow the

having had a positive test) teachers will endeavour to provide school work for them.

guidelines to notify Public Health England (PHE) immediately. We provide them with all of

If your child is unwell at home for any other reason we presume they are too ill for school

the information and they make the decision on what action we need to take.

work and none will sent home for the first week.

What is a contact?

Self-isolating

When a positive Covid-19 test result is reported to PHE they identify who is a “contact” and

If your child is sent home to self-isolate you must follow the NHS guidelines:

therefore needs to self-isolate. PHE define a “contact” as a person who has been close to

• your child should self-isolate for 14 days from the day they were last in contact with the

someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 anytime from 2 days before the person was

person who tested positive for coronavirus – as it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to

symptomatic up to 10 days from the onset of symptoms (this is when they are infectious to

appear. We will notify you of this date if it was a contact made at school.

others). Further details of this definition can be found here. This is why it is so important

• your child should not leave your home for any reason – other members of the household

that your child is not sent into School or Nursery if anyone in your household is going for a

can, providing none of you have symptoms.

Covid-19 test.

• do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for essential care.

• try to avoid contact between your child and other members of your household as much as

Notifying you

possible.

If we are told by PHE that one or more of our bubbles needs to self-isolate we will contact you

• people you live with do not need to self-isolate if you or your child do not have symptoms.

immediately. This will be done via email and the school text message service to ask you to

• people in your support bubble do not need to self-isolate if you or your child do not have

collect your child at an earlier time.

symptoms.

We will write to all parents regarding any positive result to explain the PHE decision process

• If you live with someone at higher risk from coronavirus, try to arrange for them to stay

and their recommended actions.

with friends or family for 14 days.

School work

Quarantine

If a bubble is required to self-isolate a timetable of distance learning will be provided similar to

If you or a member of your household needs to quarantine due to returning from a country

that of the Summer Term.

with quarantine regulations please notify the school as soon as possible.

If your child is self-isolating at home (due to them or a family member having symptoms or

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