Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
26 August 2020
Dear parent/carer,
Our city’s schools will next week re-open to all pupils and we are looking forward to welcoming your child/children back and helping them to continue with their education.
In Coventry we are fortunate to have wonderful schools, with excellent and dedicated teachers and staff and we believe that all children need to return to lessons, not only so they can continue their education, but also for their own mental and physical wellbeing.
This is as important for young children starting school and learning to play with others, as it is for our older students who are facing critical years where their hard work and exams will help them build the careers they want and deserve.
If we all work together, we can make sure our children are able to return to a more normal way of life, continue their education and be reunited with friends in a setting that is as safe as possible.
Thank you all for your support so far in helping our city combat COVID-19 and for all you have done to support our schools during your child’s/children’s education.
These are, of course, very difficult and worrying times for us all – children, parents/ carers, and our school staff – and we would like to reassure you that every measure has been taken to make sure our schools are as safe as possible and that all Government guidance has been followed.
Nurseries, childminders, schools and colleges have undertaken their own health and safety risk assessments and have put in place increased health, safety and hygiene measures.
The arrangements each school makes will be different because no school is the same and plans will differ based on size and layout, the number of pupils, teachers etc. Schools may have staggered starts, finishes, different lunch and break time arrangements, new hygiene routines and changes to timetables.
What they will all have in common is that they are following the latest advice and guidance to keep everyone safe.
Also, Public Health and the City Council have created clear detailed plans that cover a variety of issues, such as what to do if individual children display symptoms or if there is an outbreak within a local community or across the city.
2
These plans follow DfE guidance and are designed to put the safety of children and staff at the heart of everything we do.
As a parent or carer, you can also help make our education settings safe by:
• Not sending your child to their nursery, childminder, school or college if they are showing coronavirus symptoms or someone within the household is showing symptoms • Arranging a test if you or your child develops symptoms and informing the nursery, childminder, school or college of the result • Ensuring children know how to wash hands, make space and minimise contact • Minimising mixing with other people/children.
Public Health Services will also be working with schools and will notify head teachers if it becomes aware of any positive test results that affect a school.
We would like to reassure you that we are working closely together in the city, and with regional and national organisations to make sure that all safety measures are in place and known by all staff.
We will continue to monitor guidance closely and make alterations where necessary, and we will keep you informed.
If you would like any more help and advice around COVID-19, there is specific guidance for the return to school in the autumn term.
If your child is anxious in any way, or if you have any concerns, we encourage you to speak to your school, which will work with you to ease those anxieties and enable your child to return successfully.
We look forward to welcoming our young people back to lessons and to another great year for our city’s schools.
Yours sincerely,
Kirston Nelson Liz Gaulton
Director of Education & Skills Director of Public Health and Wellbeing
School will be re-opening to all pupils starting from Thursday 3rd September - we have all control measures for COVID-19 transmission management in place and our risk assessment has been assured by Coventry City Council officers as safe to open. Pupils in Years 1-6 will return on the 3rd, and Nursery and Reception the next week - contact the school if you are unsure of your child's starting date.
The playground gates will be open from 8.30am, with pupils able to go straight into classrooms from that time. Breakfast Club will be running for pupils needing to arrive earlier than that - please make sure that you are booked in. Pupils can arrive up to 8.55am when the gates will close - we are doing it like this to reduce the numbers at the gates at any one time whilst allowing for siblings to come to school at the same time. Please maintain social distancing at the school gates and leave once you have dropped your child.
We ask that all pupils in Key Stage 2 are dropped off and go in on their own, and will have staff from Key Stage One ready to walk children to their classrooms. Nursery and Reception parents are able to walk their child to the classroom, but cannot enter the building.
On arrival at school all pupils will wash their hands - we have installed new outdoor sinks to help with this as we will be washing hands regularly throughout the day. Pupils will then be in classrooms that have been set up according to government guidance, and will be in phase bubbles that will not mix with other pupils. Resources will not be shared until cleaned and are for the sole use of your child whenever possible. Playtimes and lunchtimes will be staggered so that bubbles do not mix, and lunches will be eaten in the classrooms which will then be cleaned. All lunches will be packed lunches to begin with, and will be provided free of charge for Reception, Years 1 and 2 and children entitled to Free School Meals.
Parents may collect pupils from classroom doors from 2.45pm onwards; pupils who walk home alone (only permissable in Year 5/6) will need a note provided and will be dismissed at 3pm via the side gate. Again we ask that parents socially distance at gates or doors, and leave the school site and surrounding area as soon as pupils are collected. All pupils should be collected by 3pm.
There will not be any After School Clubs to begin with, but Staylate will be running for pre-booked pupils - ask at the Office for details and to book.
The wearing of masks is optional in schools - in order to reduce any contamination risks anyone wearing a mask must provide a sealable bag in which to store it when removing for eating, etc or bin it. Masks are not provided by schools in normal circumstances, only for the provision of PPE when carrying out first aid, etc.
If you have any queries or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me - email headteacher@stmary-stben.coventry.sch.uk
Kind regards,
Mrs MacDonald