Important Information for Parents and Carers March 21

Information for Parents and Carers March 2021

What time are the current school sessions?

Staggered drop-off and collection times will continue to follow the same pattern as in the Autumn Term.

                Drop Offs

• 8.40        Siblings and Reception children   
• 8.45        Years 3, 4, 5 and 6            Lessons begin 8.50
• 8.50        Year 1 and 2                       Lessons begin 8.55

Pick Ups

• 3.15     Reception, Year 1 and Year 4
• 3.25     Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5
• 3.30     Year 6

Children from Year 2 upwards are encouraged to come in the school gates themselves, there are staff along the way to support them and they will be greeted at their classroom door by their teacher. We are asking that only one adult escorts a child into school (if necessary) and that adults wear a face-covering when on site. Please avoid congregating around the doorways and please depart the school site in a timely manner. When dropping off and collecting, please keep 2 metres away from others and encourage your child to do the same. 

We are asking that you stick to the times allocated to your child's year group to reduce congestion on the school site and to ensure lessons can begin promptly. Please note that there are also new barriers inside the school gates at the main entrance; please maintain a social distance as you negotiate these.

What measures have School introduced to minimise the current risks?

Our full Risk Assessment is available on our website in the Parents Section. Please click on this link:

https://www.ravensworthterrace.com/coronavirus-advice-and-information/

• Careful planning of staff to pupils including specific Midday Supervisors allocated to specific bubbles,
• Stringent and rigorous procedures for respiratory hygiene, cleaning and handwashing,
• Careful management of the environment,
• Minimising contact between groups of children,
• Staggered timings for drop off, lunch and collection,
• Classrooms have been adapted where possible to support distancing and increase ventilation,
• Consideration of specific curriculum adaptations to restrict transmission,
• No whole-school events are planned, including assemblies which will be limited to class assemblies.

 What additional measures are in place to support my child’s safe return?

Staff have access to twice-weekly asymptomatic testing.  This ensures that any asymptomatic cases of coronavirus are identified and managed to reduce any spread of the virus.

How can I help the school?

• Please follow the Government guidelines with regard to social distancing, being alert and restricting social contact
• Strictly adhere to the rules if your child or a member of the household has symptoms and actively engage with the NHS Test and Trace Programme
• Follow the guidelines for drop-off and collection times
• Follow the one-way system in place which is clearly marked
• Stay behind the white line when collecting your child
• If you need to speak to the School Office, please adhere to the signage and distancing regulations
• Please do not enter any school building unless it is essential
• Walk, cycle, scoot to school when possible
• We request that only one adult attend school at any one time
• Adults are required to wear a face-covering when on-site, unless exempt
• Please refrain from bringing soft toys into school at this time

What will my child need to bring?

• A named water bottle - this will be taken home daily; please wash thoroughly.
• Children who bring packed lunch can bring these in a cleanable lunch box.  Please clean these each day. (School meals will be available as usual)
• Book bag, reading diary and reading book. Reading books that are brought home and returned to school will be cleaned and taken out of circulation for 72 hours before being re-used.

• Coats
• Wellies (which should be kept in school on racks)
• All other equipment will be provided by the school

Will my child need to wear school uniform?

Please send your child to school in their school uniform, summer uniform may be worn if preferred. We have increased ventilation into the school building, this may mean that it is cooler than usual.  Your child may benefit from wearing an extra layer of clothing on cold days. On PE days, the children should come dressed in sportswear. 

Can my child wear a face covering in school?

No. The government advise that face coverings are not required for primary-aged school children and that wearing one could actually increase risk due to touching it throughout the day. If your child wears one as part of their journey to school, we request that you take it home with you upon dropping them off. 

Will staff be wearing PPE?

Staff will be wearing a face-covering when in communal areas with other adults.  This includes moving around the school and at the beginning and end of the day. In class staff may wear a visor if they wish to. Staff will only be using additional issued PPE where an individual is presenting with coronavirus symptoms.

Should my child return to school if they are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’?

Please let us know as soon as possible and send a copy of their letter into school.

Should my child return to school if someone within the home is ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’?

Yes, please make arrangements for your child to be brought to and collected from school by another member of the household or your support bubble.  If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss this further.

Am I required to send my child to school?

School attendance will be mandatory and the usual rules on school attendance will apply. We are aware that some children may be required to be absent from school due to the requirements by the government regarding self-isolation and these absences will be recorded according to guidance from the Department of Education. 

What do I do if someone in my house is experiencing symptoms, however slight?

The main symptoms include:

• High temperature
• New, continuous cough
• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

If you, your child or anyone in your house (this includes those that are now in you are in a ‘support bubble’), please self-isolate immediately and visit https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ to arrange a test or call 119 and please inform the school urgently. 

Children must not attend school and must self-isolate if they:

• have symptoms of COVID-19.
• have a positive PCR test result.
• have a positive Lateral Flow Test (LFD) test from a testing site or are awaiting a PCR test result following a positive home LFD test.
• have a member of their household/support bubble who is symptomatic or has tested positive for COVID-19 (PCR or LFD test).
• have been in close contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19
• have been asked to self-isolate by the Public Health Team, NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app
• have returned from travel and are required to self-isolate.

What will happen if my child becomes unwell with coronavirus symptoms whilst at school?

• If they become unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell, their emergency contacts will be informed who will be asked to collect them as soon as is possible. Whilst waiting collection, they will be moved to a room where they can be isolated with a member of staff caring for them.
• You are advised to self-isolate and arrange a test for your child https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ or by calling 119.
• Other members of the household should begin self-isolation too. 

What will happen if there is a confirmed case within school?

In this instance, we will follow government guidance which involves informing Gateshead Public Health Protection Team. They will conduct a rapid risk assessment and advise on next steps.