Dear Parents/Carers,

I know all of you will be anxious to know what measures we are putting in place to reduce risk in our school. The Newdale team have all been working hard on a robust plan to ensure the best possible safety around reopening school. Please find below measures we are putting in place:

• Very regular handwashing throughout the day (please ensure they do this just before leaving for school and as soon as they arrive home). We do not require that children wear masks or gloves – this is in line with government guidance – Coronavirus: implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings.

 Personal protective equipment (PPE) including face coverings and face masks

Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended. Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops. This does not apply to schools or other education settings. Schools and other education or childcare settings should therefore not require staff, children and learners to wear face coverings. Changing habits, cleaning and hygiene are effective measures in controlling the spread of the virus. Face coverings (or any form of medical mask where instructed to be used for specific clinical reasons) should not be worn in any circumstance by those who may not be able to handle them as directed (for example, young children, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) as it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission.

• We have plenty in supply of soap and disposable towels as well as sterilising fluid for regular toy/resource cleaning.
• Staggered start and end of day times to ensure we do not have large numbers of children on site at any one time (please do not arrive early or late as we need to be strict with times).
• As few parents on site as possible with staff to ensure swift drop off and pick up. Entry and exit points staffed to ensure sensible queueing and no congregations of people.
• Staggered and zoned playtimes/lunchtimes to ensure lots of space to play safely.
• Reduced lunchtime to limit the risk of close contact with others.
• Increased times outdoors when learning wherever possible.
• Maximum class sizes of 15 with the same staff (where possible).
• Spaced out classrooms with high risk items that are difficult to clean removed.
• Increased ventilation in classrooms.
• Identified pathways through school to minimise contact.
• Increased toilet cleaning and regular classroom cleaning with antiviral disinfectant which is known to kill coronavirus.
• Packed lunch and school dinners separated to allow for smaller numbers of children sat eating together.
• Children to come to school in PE kit – tracksuit bottoms and trainers with a school uniform jumper to reduce risk when children get changed.
• Children to be allocated stationary to use as their own, rather than sharing.
• Children to bring in own water bottle and take home for careful washing each day.
• Limited items to be brought in from home to reduce risk: packed lunch (unless having a school dinner), base camp/forest school footwear, medication, water bottle. Please do not send in any other items, including wonderful work that has been completed so far over lockdown – this can be photographed and uploaded to the school blog.
• Any messages for the school team will need to be communicated through the office via the telephone, email or text please to avoid having parents on site unnecessarily.

I really do hope you are reassured by this list and hope you can see we really are trying our best to follow guidelines and keep both children and staff as safe as possible.

You will soon be sent notification from the Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 lead as to your child’s start/end times,  where your entry and exit points are, your kit requirements, lunch organisation and much more.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook