Accessing the School Site – Amendments

Firstly, on behalf of all our staff, I would like to say how lovely it was to have children back in school.  Having children smiling and conversing with each other and with adults is what we work in school for.  The children settled wonderfully into their classes and impressed their teachers greatly.

As you can imagine, day one was always going to provide challenge as we welcome back a full school.  During the day, our plans worked well with staggered breaks and lunchtimes, separate yard areas and class-based resources.

The difficulty that we found was at the beginning and end of the day.  This was always going to be a challenge as we have wanted to set timings which support parents rather than make life difficult (e.g. a long staggered exit).  However, it was clear that we will need to make improvements if we want to avoid a staggered procedure as plans did not go as envisaged, which I take full responsibility for.  The Senior Leadership Team have met this afternoon to discuss what possible tweaks can be made to allow a greater efficiency for all concerned.

Please read the following carefully.

Aspect 1: Start of the school day

Please ensure that the following is in place:

• Parents/carers should time coming on to the site so that you do so after 8.45am.  The whole 15-minute period is still early as registration does not start until 9.00am.
• Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children should come on to the site without an adult and walk to their entrance independently – staff will be on site at the gate and at the doors.
• All should enter and exit school via a 1-way system (see below).

Aspect 2: The Need For 1-Way System

Although I had felt a 1-way system was not going to be necessary, I can now see from the number of adults on site that it may be better if this was reinstated, in the same manner as it had been before the summer break.

Therefore, tomorrow, we require the following:

• Entrance will be via the gate next to the bridge.
• Exit will be via the gate next to the car park barrier.

It is essential that parents/carers move swiftly into position and stay there without spending time grouping together and talking.

Signs will be in place on the gates with adults to support.

Aspect 3: Year 3 Timing

Year 3 classes will have their finish time adjusted and they will now finish at 3.15pm.  This will leave a greater gap between collection for Year 3 and Year 4 and for parents/carers congregating.

Aspect 4: Year 3 and Year 4 Collection Followed by Leaving the Site

Parents/carers are to line up (line positions will be slightly adjusted for classes) and children will be dismissed to those at the front of the line.

After taking children, we require either the following:

• No sibling to collect – Leave by walking past Nursery and up the steps.
• Sibling to collect – Walk back up the path and join the 1-way system.

General

• Anyone with a pram or wheelchair should follow the 1-way system unless this leads them to the Nursery steps.  This may mean a few of these individuals will walk in the opposite direction for a short distance.
• Where possible, adults entering the site should wear a face covering. This should be lowered when the teacher needs to dismiss your child so they can see who the adult is.
• It is helpful if those collecting know who their child’s class teacher is before coming on site so staff can direct you to the correct point if you are unsure where to go.
• No bikes are to be brought to school at this point.
• When collecting younger children, they should be at the side of the adult or holding the adults hand.  Children should not be running around the site into different areas as this makes the task even more difficult.

Please understand that this is a huge logistical task and can only work with the co-operation of all involved.  We would very much appreciate the patience and co-operation of parents/carers as we look to make the entry and exit of pupils as effective and safe as possible.

Thank you,

Mr M. Malik -HEAD TEACHER