Do you know your schools ‘return to school’ plan?

[Yr1parent]

I’m quite an anxious person so apologies if I’m rambling.

My child is due to go back 1st June but we haven’t been given any indication of the plan for how or if they’re returning at all. Just very generic email along the lines of ‘we’re working on seeing if we will return, we will not respond to individual questions’ on the day the announcement was made.

Wondered if other people are in the same boat? Or if you do know what your schools return plan is, you wouldn’t mind sharing it to get an idea of how other places are doing it?

This is turning me into a mess! DH is out working and my work have asked me to come back and I have no idea if my child can go back at all or if it’ll just be part time let alone assess whether the plan would be so upsetting for him that I’ll have to reassess my job instead..

Thanks

Yes I know. Teacher sent the full thing the day after the government announced schools were opening

@iwillnotnamethetree

You haven't read it correctly. It says an allocated playspace which will only be with the children in their group.

This is NOT children in individual squares.

Our current reception has an "allocated playspace" on a normal day, which is separate from other year groups. All this means is there will be 15 in an allocated playspace rather than 30!

@iwillnotnamethetree

It's really infuriating actually as there is so much for parents to take in that they read these things shared, listen only to the outrage of those sharing them and don't ACTUALLY READ the truth and accuracy in the information within it. By not carefully reading before sharing you are adding to the problem really aren't you.

@upthewolves

No, you are incorrect. I agree the information was not clear. I read it as you did, that each group would have an allocated play space. My husband read it as each child. We called the school to clarify yesterday - playtimes will be with children in your allocated group. Each child within the group will have an allocated play space.

This is my children’s school, not some random Facebook post that I’ve shared to cause confusion or outrage, and it is rude of you to suggest otherwise.

Things are difficult enough for parents, and non parents, at the moment without causing further anxiety, which is why I called to check. It may not be the same everywhere but that is what is happening at my children's school.

We had an email setting out the measures they'd have to take and gauging whether you'd send your child back so they could plan. Then at the end of last week a letter saying they were focusing on y6 only from 1st June with more information to follow. I'm expecting more detail in the Friday newsletter.

@iwillnotnamethetree in that case I apologise but that is also batshit crazy and not necessary according to guidance.

I suspect the reason it is phrased the way it is (which clearly said WITH children in their group) is because they know it is batshit and crazy and they have no intention of doing it.

It is scaremongering and point scoring. I feel for you. I would question why they are CHOOSING to make the experience worse for the children in their care than is needed.

We've just had the full plan from school and they've made some big changes.

Only R, 1 and 6 to return before September.

4 day week so the 5th can be used to collate work packs and to clean.

Kids in bubbles of 10, no distancing in bubbles.

Lots of outdoor time. They propose outdoor learning as much as possible.

I think they've done a great job with the planning. I'm sad years 2-5 won't return at all, but I appreciate they are trying to do what is best with what facilities the school has

The school won't have a finalised plan yet and they don't actually know if they will be back, it's still to be confirmed on the numbers and new/changing advice an information is coming from the LA daily.

There is loads of work going on in schools around it though, it's going to be a very busy half term for headteachers.

Mine isn’t in the year group going back and I can work from home so not affected this round.

However for year groups going back they are doing classes of 15 supported by 1 or 2 teachers. Staggered start and end times.
No school uniform.

One thing that jumped out. They’ve said parents won’t be fined if they don’t send children in.

@upthewolves thank you.

I agree, it is extreme and I don’t see the benefit - I think this is what will put most of the parents who have a choice sending their children back. I do wonder if school know that and are trying to discourage parents from sending their children back unless absolutely necessary?

I know other schools won’t be going to these extremes; it just makes no sense to me. I have chosen not to send my 5 year old back in June but I expect it to still be the same in September and I worry about the affects this will have on her wellbeing. They have three large concrete playgrounds and a field, with only three year groups going back in June they could each have their own playground and have plenty of room to run around. If teachers are monitoring only 15 children at a time they could intervene if the children got to close to each other surely? I don’t know, it’s just crazy.

Oh and I’m super impressed with our school during lock down. They’ve done a fabulous job setting work and engaging with children online and encouraging them to interact in a safe way. The dedication shines through.

Email came yesterday. Each of the named year groups in for one and a half days, plus keyworker kids as needed. Lots of stipulations about equipment, lunches and clothing choices. Your teacher may choose to wear PPE get over it but yes, we will comfort a distressed child and patch skinned knees. May not be in normal classroom with usual teacher. Classes mixed age to allow siblings together in same day/ bubble.

They are definitely showing willing but it sounds like a nightmare to organise.

Our school hasn't sent out a detailed plan yet. They have sent out a survey to guage interest in places and a letter that is word for word the same as letters sent by other schools in the area, despite our school being an independent academy. The letter references outdoor play and social bubbles but there's no real detail.

Family member shared their child's school risk assessment and it's obvious that the teachers don't want to go back. It's full of inaccurate fear mongering information that is easily disproved by a quick Google. The children will be required to wear masks and staff will be in full PPE including visors and gloves. The document makes lots of references to Kawasaki disease and I honestly believe the person who wrote it ought to be ashamed of themselves.

My DS is in a special school and has been offered Mondaus so will be going back 1 day a week for the last 7 weeks. It's a big s hook with a large amount of rooms and space so I think it might be slightly easier logistically,and not all of the children will be going back.

@iwillnotnamethetree I think you are right and they do know it will put off any parents who have a choice leaving them with far fewer children to deal with and much less of a problem.

I don't blame you for not sending your child, I wouldn't send mine.

Or they are hoping there will be enough uproar they won't need to open at all.

Parents haven't heard here, we've had a we'll let you know when we know email. I know our HT has been working her bits off trying to formulate a plan.

The responsibility is huge, she has to keep her pupils and her staff safe, in a building not designed for social distancing.
And whatever she says, everyone will have an opinion on. But she is doing her best.
And if CV gets into school and spreads... Imagine the criticism then. It has to be right.

The H&S risk assessments have to be carried out first, I'd imagine they've got to discuss it with the governors and trustees/rest of the academy schools, then staff and get agreement from all parties. Then it has to be implemented (I'd imagine at half term.)

I am sure you will hear soon, but just rattling something off to parents with no thought is not an option. It has to be well thought out.

No not heard anything. Ds is year 6, I work in the school as a TA (Currently furloughed), and have no idea if I will be back at work or not 🤷‍♀️

Your school will be in touch beforehand, probably by the end of this week.
The thing is if they say to early it might change. Our HT is getting new guidance additions most days, in which various changes are being made to what schools should and shouldn't be doing.

Our HT has sent out a 'holding' letter so far to parents mainly just saying she will be in touch proper when it's more fully known and plans have been agreed.

Even as a member of teaching staff I don't yet know exactly what will happen at our school. The leadership are meeting again tomorrow so we will maybe know a bit more then, unless there is more guidance after again - who knows?!

At present though, following the government's guidance for infant schools, we will be having KW key stage 1 children in school till from the 1st, and they will move from their current two rooms to two of the Y2 classrooms.
Reception. children will be offered a place from the 8th.
It will be full time but optional.
Children will be in one of 6 classrooms across reception and in groups of up to 15. Each group will have two members of staff - we are hoping at least one will be either their current teacher or current TA but this may not be possible as we do have a number of clinically vulnerable staff.
Each group will also be allocated a section of the playground to use through the day.
Within their groups - where we plan to place children with at least one of their known friends from their class - there won't be social distancing as it's impossible with that age group.

Classrooms are being sorted at present to remove soft furnishings such as beanbags and cushions, and toys/resources which cannot be easily cleaned and washed. Excess tables and chairs are being removed too to gain more space around them. Classes will be outside as much as possible too, in their areas.

There will be staggered pick up and drop off times for all children. Unlike before parents will not be allowed into school unless it's an emergency. Parents won't be dropping off in the classroom anymore.

Breakfast club will only restart if the numbers are low enough to make it possible. After school club I'm not sure about - it's a different company, not run or managed by school.

That's as much as I know as a member of staff and it may well even change tomorrow.

Our school are opening on June 1st, bubble system, groups of ten, no mixing between bubbles. We email temperature in morning, they check everyone again at lunchtime. Extra hand washing and cleaning of the classroom. Staggered lunchtimes.

All seems pretty sensible and we (along with about 80% of the class) are sending our DD in.

Re learning in the classroom our current plan is that KS1 home learning will continue as before, though may be dependent on how many of the KS1 staff are needed to cover children in school.

Reception children will follow the same English, maths and phonics as home learning. These are created by our school staff with videos and screen recording with voice overs, et . There may not be the same amount of video lessons as staff will be in class in most cases, though again it depends on how many children return. The other subjects may vary - we will continue to add home learning ideas and suggestions for other subjects from a range of sources. Those in school may do some of these but will also spend time playing inside and out, doing craft activities, doing online or and movement videos, etc. That will vary.

As staff at a secondary we have been informed of the plan for our year 10s but it was stressed that the plan was confidential and not to be shared with any parents yet as they are still waiting for some government guidance and the plan was subject to change.

We've had questionnaires but no details yet. School is very good generally and key worker kids have been enjoying school so I have faith in them putting together a pragmatic solution.

I do think sending back kids from specific year groups is the wrong decision, they should concentrate on the kids in most need and kids whose parents need to WOH and slowly build up.

@Mycatismadeofstringcheese , our school is a big one but even then couldn't fit all school years in, so it's a good job they aren't fining parents, there'd be uproar! I'm guessing that will stand until we're in a position to open schools fully/ offer a provision that means every child can go in at some point (part time)