Academy Reopening Procedures & Protocols

We aim to minimise contact with students and adults who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend the academy.

The Government feel taking temperatures is an unreliable method and do not advise taking temperatures each day.

NHS advice: symptoms and testing

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
• new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you have noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

You can find out more here.  

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can ask for a test to check if you have the virus.  This is called an antigen test.

There is another type of test (antibody test) that checks if you've already had the virus.  This test is not widely available yet.  You can find out about antibody testing on GOV.UK

Arrangements for testing

You can get a throat and nose swab test for whether you currently have coronavirus. This is part of the 5-pillar strategy for coronavirus testing. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.

Who can be tested

The following groups of people can ask for a test through the NHS website:

• anyone in England and Wales who has symptoms of coronavirus, whatever their age.
• anyone in Scotland and Northern Ireland aged over 5 who has symptoms of coronavirus.

The following groups of people can access priority testing through GOV.UK:

• essential workers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• anyone in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over 5 years old who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with an essential worker.
• children under 5 years old in England and Wales who have symptoms of coronavirus and live with an essential worker (this test must be performed by a parent or carer).

See the guidance on testing for essential workers and the list of essential workers.

Additional guidance:

If a member of staff, parent/carer presents with symptoms, they will leave the academy to be tested. They should not return to work.  They should inform the academy of the result as soon as possible.  If the test is negative and they are well enough to attend work, they can do so.

If a student presents with symptoms the parents/carers will be asked to collect the child and arrange for them to be tested.  They should remain at home until they are told of the result (and, if it is negative, until they are well enough to attend).  Any positive tests must be notified to the academy immediately so appropriate action can be taken.

What to do if someone develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) whilst at an educational setting

If anyone develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in an education setting they must be sent home and advised to follow the staying at home guidance. 

If a child is awaiting collection, they should be moved, if possible, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window should be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people.

If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they should use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.

PPE should be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).

In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.

If a member of staff has helped someone who was taken unwell with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves. They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell. Cleaning the area with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. You can find guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.

Our procedures follow this guidance (Please follow this link)

PPE

PPE is not recommended in education settings other than if someone is presenting with symptoms.  Further details can be found  here.

We promote the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.

Students and staff are asked to use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste.Lidded bins are in place in the academy.

We clean frequently touched surfaces often using standard products, such a detergents and bleach and deep clean daily.

For more information follow this link.

We have distance markers on arrival, a controlled entry and exit, classroom layouts which ensure social distancing, reduced group sizes, staggered toilet breaks and corridor partitions to aim to ensure social distancing.

Follow this link to the academy plan for reopening.

We have put the following measures in place for the three different groups of students in the academy:

Group 1: Keyworker & Vulnerable Students

In order to ensure the health and safety of all our students, the following processes must be followed:

• Students to wait outside the Students’ Entrance on 2 metre social distancing markers until invited to enter
• Students must sanitise and then wash hands on arrival.
• Students to use SZ1 and SZ3 for registration, students should be seated at desks 2 metres apart.
• Students should adhere to the division on the corridor and 2 metre markings when moving from room to room.
• Students to have allocated computers in library and IT1 (EHCP students should have allocated areas in the ERS).
• Students should remain seated at all times unless directed by a member of staff.
• Students should only be allowed to use the toilets on the Biology corridor one at a time.
• A staggered break should be offered between 10:00am and 11:00am, either a break at the student’s desk or a walking break (no more than 2 students, socially distancing outside the front of school) to be organised by the staff on duty.
• Students to be released at 12:00pm, one by one to walk to the canteen, queue and sit at 2 metres distance.  If a student wishes to remain at their desk, one member of staff should remain to supervise.
• A staggered break should be offered between 1:30pm and 2:00pm, either a break at the student’s desk or a walking break (no more than 2 students, socially distancing outside the front of the academy) to be organised by the staff on duty.
• Students should be released at 2:50pm one at a time and reminded of socially distancing as they walk home.
• Students should bring their own equipment which should not be shared.

Timetable

8:30 – 9:00am	Registration
9:00 – 10:00am	Students complete own work
10:00 – 11:00am	Staggered break time / completion of own work
11:00 – 12:00pm	Taught period 1
12:00 – 12:30pm	Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm	Taught period 2
1:30 – 2:00pm	Staggered break time / completion of own work
2:00 – 2:50pm	Students complete own work
2:50pm	End of the day

 

Staff on duty will deliver a taught session to both groups either side of lunch.  The remainder of the time students should be completing their own work set by subject teachers.

Group 2: Year 10 students

Each day will run from 9.00am to 12.00pm and consist of 3 x 45 minute lessons in English, Mathematics and Science. 

Students each day will be divided into three groups and will have their lessons in either MA1, MA6 or MA7. 

Students will not be able to visit any other room in the academy, except for the toilet.

The dates year 10 students are invited into the academy are listed below and are based on each student’s current maths class. 

	Year 10 Maths classes
MON 15th June	10x1
TUE 16th June	10x2
WED 17th June	10x3
THUR 18th June	10x4
FRI 19th June	10y1
MON 22nd June	10y2
TUE 23rd June	10y3
WED 24th June	DEEP CLEAN
THUR 25th June	10x1
FRI 26th June	10x2
MON 29th June	10x3
TUE 30th June	10x4
WED 1st July	10y1
THUR 2nd July	10y2
FRI 3rd July	10y3
MON 6th July	DEEP CLEAN
TUE 7th July	10x1
WED 8th July	10x2
THURS 9th July	10x3
FRI 10th July	10x4
MON 13th July	10y1
TUES 14th July	10y2
WED 15th July	10y3

 

• Students do not need to wear uniform, so it is easier to keep clothes clean.
• Students will enter using the drive towards the Sixth Form. Cars are not allowed in this area, so we can keep students safe. There will be socially distanced markers outside the Sixth Form for Year 12 and outside the Mathematics block for Year 10.
• Government advice is to cycle, walk or travel by car if possible, to allow capacity for those who need to travel by bus. If there is no alternative to public transport, please speak to your children about maintaining their own safety and the safety of others. You may pick up and drop off at the front of the academy.
• Students will sit socially distanced in a seating plan in a group of a maximum of 10 students.
• Students are to bring their own equipment; ipad, pens, pencils, ruler, calculator and any resources they believe they might need to use.  Any physical resources provided during the lesson must leave with the student when they leave.
• TAs will support as usual.
• Students will clean hands on arrival.
• Students should bring drinks and snacks as they will be given a short break at their desk, with a toilet break one by one, if required.
• A window will be open at all times. If the weather is not warm, it would be a good idea that students bring enough clothing to stay warm.

Group 3: Year 12 students 

Each day will run from 8.45am to 12.45pm and consist of 2 x two hour sessions in each subject area. 

Students each day will be divided into two groups and will have their lessons in either SE1 or RE1. 

Students will not be able to visit any other room in the academy, except for the toilet.

The dates year 12 students are invited into the academy are listed below.

Where a subject is offered on more than one day, please attend on the day for the option block you are in. 

	Year 12 Subjects
MON 15th June	Law
TUE 16th June	English Literature
WED 17th June	Sociology 12A
THUR 18th June	Biology
FRI 19th June	Sociology 12B
MON 22nd June	Psychology 12B plus 7 additional students who will be notified directly by Ms Wilson
TUE 23rd June	Psychology 12C plus 8 additional students who will be notified directly by Ms Wilson
WED 24th June	English Language
THUR 25th June	Physics
FRI 26th June	Business  12B
MON 29th June	Business 12D
TUE 30th June	Government and Politics
WED 1st July	Chemistry
THUR 2nd July	Health and Social Care
FRI 3rd July	Geography
MON 6th July	History 12A
TUE 7th July	Maths
WED 8th July	History 12C
THURS 9th July	Applied Science
FRI 10th July	Sport

 

• Students will enter using the drive towards the Sixth Form. Cars are not allowed in this area, so we can keep students safe. There will be socially distanced markers outside the Sixth Form for Year 12 and outside the Mathematics block for Year 10.
• Government advice is to cycle, walk or travel by car if possible, to allow capacity for those who need to travel by bus. If there is no alternative to public transport, please speak to your children about maintaining their own safety and the safety of others. You may pick up and drop off at the front of the academy.
• Students will sit socially distanced in a seating plan in a group of a maximum of 12 students.
• Students are to bring their own equipment; ipad, pens, pencils, ruler, calculator and any resources they believe they might need to use.  Any physical resources provided during the lesson must leave with the student when they leave.
• Students will clean hands on arrival.
• Students should bring drinks and snacks as they will be given a short break at their desk, with a toilet break one by one, if required.
• A window will be open at all times. If the weather is not warm, it would be a good idea that students bring enough clothing to stay warm.
• We follow Government guidance on social distancing and protective measures in schools.

Group 4:  Student catch up meetings Year 7-10 Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July 2020

Each day will run from 8:30am to 3:00pm and consist of a 10 minute face to face meeting for each student with his/her parent/carer.

The meetings will take place in the Humanities Block.  Students/parents/carers will not be able to visit any other room in the academy. 

Parents/carers will book an appointment via the Parents’/Carers’ Evening booking system.

The days and dates for the face to face meetings are listed below.

 

Year group	Room	Monday 29/06/20	Tuesday 30/06/20	Wednesday 01/07/20	Thursday 02/07/20	Friday 03/07/20
Year 7	Hu1	VTO	SJO	AME	SLA	JST
Year 8	Hu2	NCR	CLE	STA	BGR	SMO
Year 9	Hu3	EPA	MAR	HWA	NBU	MAT
Year 10	Hu4	DJU	RNA	KMA	SAJ	SSI
Year group	Room	Monday 06/07/20	Tuesday 07/07/20	Wednesday 08/07/20	Thursday 09/07/20	Friday 10/07/20
Year 7	Hu1	BSO	CWH	KGR	LAT	AHA
Year 8	Hu2	CBA	KMI	LRO	MBR
Year 9	Hu3	TFO	JAT (ABE)	NBA	NHE
Year 10	Hu4	DBR	WPH

 

Students in the ERS/TBC will also have the opportunity to book appointments.

• Students do not need to wear uniform, so it is easier to keep clothes clean.
• Students will enter using by the gate to the right of Reception.  This will be clearly signposted.  Parents/carers and students are asked to be mindful of social distancing guidance and keep 1 metre apart from other parents/carers and students who may be arriving or departing from the academy.
• Parents/carers and students will be allocated a room with the Form Tutor for their face to face meeting as set out in the table above.
• Each room will be deep cleaned before the face to face meetings begin and again at the end of each day.
• The Form Tutor will be seated at the teacher’s desk in the allocated room and chairs will be set out for the parents/carers and students – distanced from the Form Tutor.
• There will be a table at the entrance to the Humanities block with hand sanitiser and parents/carers and students are to sanitise their hands on arrival and on departure from the block.
• The doors into the Humanities block and each Humanities room will be wedged open and a window will always be open in each room.
• Parents/carers/students are to leave the academy straight after their meeting.

For further information the latest DFE guidance can be found here.

 

Phase 4 (29^th June):

“Additional core subject lessons for year 10 students in English, Mathematics and Science and year 12 students identified for individual face to face support and personalised learning in readiness for September.”

Year 10

To maximise attendance in year 10 additional sessions have been provided for year 10 students to attend core subject lessons in English, Mathematics and Science.

Thursday 2 July	20 students from 10x1
Friday 3 July	20 students from 10x2
Tuesday 14 July	20 students from 10x3
Wednesday 15 July	20 students from 10x4
Thursday 16 July	20 students from 10y1

• Each day will run as per the year 10 core subject sessions outlined in phase 2 above.

Year 12

From week commencing 6 and 13 July small groups of students in year 12 are to be timetabled for study support/mentoring to prepare for September and to enable identified students to receive additional support with their study skills and to catch up on outstanding work.

Day	Student attendance (Subject lesson)	Student attendance (Study Support)	Staff
Mon 6th	12	13	ESM, JOW
Tues 7th	21	-
Wed 8th	12	13	ESM
Thur 9th	8	15	ESM
Fri 10th	15	10	ESM
Mon 13th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Tue 14th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Wed 15th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Thur 16th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Fri 17th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc

• Students are to arrive via the sixth form entrance and await further instruction from their teacher.
• Students will need to bring their own food and drink to eat at their desk.
• Students will continue to be seated at least 2 metres apart and support will be from a social distance.
• The day will be from 8.45 until 12.45 with a short break in the middle, which will be taken at their desk.

Travel

Government advice is to cycle, walk or travel by car if possible, to allow capacity for those who need to travel by bus.  If there is no alternative to public transport, take steps to maintain own safety and safety of others.

Department for Transport travelling advice for parents/carers and students

The Department for Transport has issued advice on how parents/carers and students can travel to school safely as part of the #TravelSafely campaign.  Resources have been developed to ensure that parents/carers, students and staff have the information they need to stay safe on the public transport network.  This includes information developed in collaboration with respected partners on how to cycle and walk safely, where possible.

Resources can be found here:

• Back to school poster
• Bus travel guidance poster
• Help keep our buses safe poster
• Plan your journey Poster
• On your journey poster
• Letter to parents from Mr Riley 

Further information can be found on the DfE website

Timetable

8:30 – 9:00am	Registration
9:00 – 10:00am	Students complete own work
10:00 – 11:00am	Staggered break time / completion of own work
11:00 – 12:00pm	Taught period 1
12:00 – 12:30pm	Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm	Taught period 2
1:30 – 2:00pm	Staggered break time / completion of own work
2:00 – 2:50pm	Students complete own work
2:50pm	End of the day

 

	Year 10 Maths classes
MON 15th June	10x1
TUE 16th June	10x2
WED 17th June	10x3
THUR 18th June	10x4
FRI 19th June	10y1
MON 22nd June	10y2
TUE 23rd June	10y3
WED 24th June	DEEP CLEAN
THUR 25th June	10x1
FRI 26th June	10x2
MON 29th June	10x3
TUE 30th June	10x4
WED 1st July	10y1
THUR 2nd July	10y2
FRI 3rd July	10y3
MON 6th July	DEEP CLEAN
TUE 7th July	10x1
WED 8th July	10x2
THURS 9th July	10x3
FRI 10th July	10x4
MON 13th July	10y1
TUES 14th July	10y2
WED 15th July	10y3

 

	Year 12 Subjects
MON 15th June	Law
TUE 16th June	English Literature
WED 17th June	Sociology 12A
THUR 18th June	Biology
FRI 19th June	Sociology 12B
MON 22nd June	Psychology 12B plus 7 additional students who will be notified directly by Ms Wilson
TUE 23rd June	Psychology 12C plus 8 additional students who will be notified directly by Ms Wilson
WED 24th June	English Language
THUR 25th June	Physics
FRI 26th June	Business  12B
MON 29th June	Business 12D
TUE 30th June	Government and Politics
WED 1st July	Chemistry
THUR 2nd July	Health and Social Care
FRI 3rd July	Geography
MON 6th July	History 12A
TUE 7th July	Maths
WED 8th July	History 12C
THURS 9th July	Applied Science
FRI 10th July	Sport

 

“Student catch up meetings Year 7-10 Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July 2020”

Each day will run from 8:30am to 3:00pm and consist of a 10 minute face to face meeting for each student with his/her parent/carer.

The meetings will take place in the Humanities Block.  Students/parents/carers will not be able to visit any other room in the academy. 

Parents/carers will book an appointment via the Parents’/Carers’ Evening booking system.

The days and dates for the face to face meetings are listed below.

Year group	Room	Monday 29/06/20	Tuesday 30/06/20	Wednesday 01/07/20	Thursday 02/07/20	Friday 03/07/20
Year 7	Hu1	VTO	SJO	AME	SLA	JST
Year 8	Hu2	NCR	CLE	STA (ZWI)	BGR	SMO
Year 9	Hu3	EPA	MAR	HWA	NBU	MAT
Year 10	Hu4	DJU	RNA	KMA	SAJ	SSI
Year group	Room	Monday 06/07/20	Tuesday 07/07/20	Wednesday 08/07/20	Thursday 09/07/20	Friday 10/07/20
Year 7	Hu1	BSO	CWH	KGR (KGR)	LAT	AHA
Year 8	Hu2	CBA	KMI	LRO	MBR
Year 9	Hu3	TFO	JAT (ABE)	NBA	NHE
Year 10	Hu4	DBR	WPH (LAM)

Students in the ERS/TBC will also have the opportunity to book appointments.

• Unfortunately, at this time, siblings will not be able to attend the meetings.
• Students do not need to wear uniform, so it is easier to keep clothes clean.

• Students will enter using by the gate to the right of Reception.  This will be clearly signposted.  Parents/carers and students are asked to be mindful of social distancing guidance and keep 2 metres away from other parents/carers and students who may be arriving or departing from the academy.
• Parents/carers and students will be allocated a room with the Form Tutor for their face to face meeting as set out in the table above.
• Each room will be deep cleaned before the face to face meetings begin and again at the end of each day.
• The Form Tutor will be seated at the teacher’s desk in the allocated room and chairs will be set out for the parents/carers and students – distanced from the Form Tutor.
• There will be a table at the entrance to the Humanities block with hand sanitiser and parents/carers and students are to sanitise their hands on arrival and on departure, from the block.
• The doors into the Humanities block and each Humanities room will be wedged open and a window will always be open in each room.
• Parents/carers/students are to leave the academy straight after their meeting.

Year 10

To maximise attendance in year 10 additional sessions have been provided for year 10 students to attend core subject lessons in English, Mathematics and Science.

Thursday 2 July	20 students from 10x1
Friday 3 July	20 students from 10x2
Tuesday 14 July	20 students from 10x3
Wednesday 15 July	20 students from 10x4
Thursday 16 July	20 students from 10y1

 

Year 12

From week commencing 6 and 13 July small groups of students in year 12 are to be timetabled for study support/mentoring to prepare for September and to enable identified students to receive additional support with their study skills and to catch up on outstanding work.

Day	Student attendance (Subject lesson)	Student attendance (Study Support)	Staff
Mon 6th	12	13	ESM, JOW
Tues 7th	21	-
Wed 8th	12	13	ESM
Thur 9th	8	15	ESM
Fri 10th	15	10	ESM
Mon 13th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Tue 14th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Wed 15th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Thur 16th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc
Fri 17th	-	25 (max)	ESM +1tbc

Launch of the NHS Test and Trace service

The new NHS Test and Trace service will form a central part of the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy.

Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions.

People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus.

Further information on the NHS Test and Trace service can be found here.

Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers can be found  here.

Guidance on how the NHS Test and Trace works can be found here.

Public Health England has published guidance that explains what you should do if the NHS Test and Trace service notifies you that you are a contact of a person who has tested positive for coronavirus and you do not live with that person.

The guidance can be found here.

Our privacy notice can be found here.

• The decision as to whether a student attends is down to the family.  All absences will be authorised in current circumstances.
• Shielded and clinically vulnerable children and young people should follow Government advice .  Further information can be found here. 

Details can be found here.

There will be a first aider on site at all times and access to safeguarding support.  The Leadership Team member on site each day will provide access to support as necessary. Please find here a link to the safeguarding addendum and an addendum to the government document guidance for safer working practice.

• Quality standards for Year 10
• Quality standards for Year 12
• Quality standards for staff
• Behaviour addendum
• Fire evacuation addendum
• Government guidance on safer working practice
• Parent & Carer information
• Academy plan for reopening

Please use the following links

• Coronavirus: what you need to know 
• Education and childcare (including student well being, examination, further education and vocational training) 
• Find out what you can do if you are struggling because of Coronavirus 
• Implementing protective measures in schools and childcare settings (including group sizes, infection control and the wearing of PPE/face masks)
• Living with a shielded or clinically vulnerable person 
• NHS guidance 
• Staying safe outside your home 
• Support when someone dies 
• Young people on shielding and protecting people most likely to become unwell if they catch coronavirus 

Reopening FAQs for parents & carers

The government has announced that secondary schools are to reopen to students in year 10 and year 12 on 15th June, providing that there is no rise in the 'R' rate (reproduction rate) as a result of other measures of easing the lockdown.

Understandably, a lot of parents and carers have questions and concerns about their child returning to academy. In this section, we have answered several frequently asked questions to address those queries.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our young people, their families, and our staff is our top priority, and we hope the measures we have put in place reassure you that your child will be safe upon returning to academy.

At the same time, we must recognise that academy life this term will be different to before the lockdown. Government guidelines still highlight the importance of reducing contact between people, including students in schools, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

To do this, we will ensure the students and staff at our academy only mix with a small, consistent group called a ‘bubble’. You will find that the term ‘bubble’ is referenced throughout these FAQs, so we would like to start by telling you what a ‘bubble’ is.

What is a ‘bubble’?

A ‘bubble’ is a defined group of people that one person meets regularly. It is essential for individuals to be in only one ‘bubble’, and two or more ‘bubbles’ should never cross. By ensuring that they only have contact within their ‘bubble’, individuals are protected against cross-contamination.

Which students will return to the academy?

Students in years 10 & 12 have been identified by the government for face to face contact from 15th June 2020. All students in years 10 & 12 will be eligible to attend according to a schedule which has been distributed.

I must go back to work; can I send my child in even if they are not in the selected year groups?

At this stage we are only open for the selected year groups plus vulnerable children and children of critical workers who have been able to attend throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

If you have been asked to return to work but do not have childcare, you could talk to your employer about possible adjustments.

I do not feel comfortable about sending my child to academy. Do they have to attend?

We are looking forward to welcoming your child back to the academy and have taken every precaution to ensure the academy environment is as safe as possible. However, we understand that some parents/carers, for a variety of reasons, may wish to keep their child at home and continue for them to learn from home. It is not compulsory for children to attend. Please let the academy know that you will not be sending your child in.

Will I be fined if I keep my children at home?

If you do not send your child in, you will not be fined at this time. We envisage academy attendance fines will not be issued until September at the earliest, but this is not confirmed.

How many students will be in a classroom at any one time?

The maximum group size is 15. DfE guidance asks that schools calculate how many children can be accommodated in temporary teaching groups and this is dependent upon the size of the classrooms and the layout of the school.

How will you limit the risk of infection for my child?

We have  carried out a risk assessment ahead of re-opening so that we can put in place a comprehensive programme of measures to limit the risk to staff and children.

We have:

• smaller class sizes - with a maximum of 15 children per class
• rearranged classrooms - ensuring desks are spaced out as far as possible.
• limited mixing - students will stay in their groups and be assigned specific staff members
• staggered timetables - limiting number of children on lunch and breaks, changes to pick up and drop off times
• minimised contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend academy
• advised on cleaning hands more often than usual - wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and dry them thoroughly or use alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered
• promoted good respiratory hygiene - promote the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach
• ensured cleaning of frequently touched surfaces often using standard products, such as disinfectant

Will the academy day start and end at the same time?

There are changes to the timings of the academy day to ensure we can safely manage drop off and collection of children. We will communicate these arrangements with parents/carers before the academy returns.

Should my child wear a face covering, mask or other PPE?

Government guidance states, “Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended”

Staff will only wear PPE when:

• a child whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs.
• a child becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus while in their setting and needs direct personal care until they can return home. A face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if 2 metres cannot be maintained. If contact with the child or young person is necessary, then gloves, an apron and a face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. If a risk assessment determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protection should also be worn.

If you have any concerns, please get in touch.

Will Breakfast Club start again?

At this stage we need to consider the health and safety of students and staff therefore breakfast club will not be open.

Will my child be taught by their usual teachers?

We  cannot guarantee this as each class needs to be split. The aim is to have at least one subject specialist  in each class. This may be their subject teacher and a  teaching assistant as far as possible.

How many days can my child go to the academy?

Vulnerable children and the children of key workers will continue to have access to the academy five days a week. For their safety, they will remain in a ‘bubble’ with other students who are attending the academy five days a week.

Students in year 10 and year 12 will have the option of returning to the academy for face-to-face support, with home learning supplementing this provision. The face to face academy time, which will be on a rotation basis will be allocated to each student and is non-negotiable.

What are my responsibilities as a parent or carer?

As a parent or carer, you have the following responsibilities:

• To respond in good time to requests from the academy for information that aids our ability to plan, prepare, and maintain a happy and safe academy environment.
• To inform the academy in good time should your child not be able to attend on the day.
• To be polite and courteous to members of staff always.
• To understand that the day for attendance will be allocated to your child and that they are non-negotiable due to safety and operational reasons.
• To adhere to the government guidelines for social distancing at all times outside of the academy premises and to ensure that your child also follows these guidelines.

What is the procedure for my child arriving at academy?

Your child will be allocated a designated day and time at which to arrive at academy. There is also a designated entrance. 

If you wish to accompany your child to academy, please do not enter the academy premises. This procedure will ensure that as few people as possible are on academy premises at the same time and contribute toward minimising the risk of infection spreading.

What is the procedure for my child leaving academy?

Your child will be allocated a designated time at which to leave academy, as well as a designated leaving area. If you wish to collect your child, please wait outside the academy premises. This procedure will ensure that as few people as possible are on academy premises at the same time and contribute toward minimising the risk of infection spreading.

Will the academy office or reception be open?

No, neither the academy office nor the reception will be open. We want to restrict the number of people accessing the academy site, so we are closing the academy reception areas to minimise situations that pose the threat of cross-contamination.

Will academy transport be available?

Academy transport is organised by local authorities and third-party providers, not by our academy. We are continuing to liaise with these authorities and providers to understand what their arrangements will be for academy transportation. We will, of course, provide more information on this as and when it is available.

What will learning spaces look like in the academy?

We will be establishing ‘bubbles’ in which students are grouped together and remain in those groups from the moment they enter academy to the moment they leave. The ‘bubble’ concept works as follows:

• Students will arrive and leave at allocated times.
• Upon their arrival, students are immediately taken to a learning space, which may not be their usual classroom. This learning space is their ‘bubble’, and they will remain in it for the duration of the day, except for using toilet facilities or taking part in recreational activities.
• Each ‘bubble’ will have its own set of additional and incidental cleaning materials — such as hand sanitiser, antibacterial gel, and antibacterial handwash — which will be available to staff and students. There will also be hard-surface cleaner, which will only be available to staff within that ‘bubble’.
• If, for any reason, students need to move around the academy, wherever possible, we are implementing one-way systems in corridors or devising rotas to minimise interaction between students in different ‘bubbles’. Corridors will also have safe passing places, should two people ever be required to cross paths.

What will classroom learning look like?

We have made this decision in recognition that, for many students who have not been in the academy for more than eight weeks, there will be a need to re-establish social and learning behaviours and ways of working before we can even consider teaching a more formal curriculum. Each subject area will introduce new subject knowledge which will be supplemented by home learning. It is vital that your child keeps up to date with all work set.

Will after-school clubs start again?

No, they will not. At this stage, we are regrettably unable to offer an after-school provision for students. This may, however, change in the following weeks if our staffing resources allow

Does my child have to wear a school uniform?

No. The government suggest that washing clothes after being out in public contributes to good hygiene .

What is face-to-face support?

Face-to-face support refers to the delivery of teaching by a member of staff on a direct, in-person basis, rather than over a video or audio call. At the academy, teachers will provide face-to-face support from a safe distance to ensure that all safety guidelines are followed.

What happens if my child receives free school meals (FSM)?

Parents who are registered with the local authority will continue to receive FSM vouchers. This money should be used to provide your child with a packed lunch during the days they are at school. Students in the key worker/vulnerable group who are entitled to FSM will be provided with a meal.

DfE responses to common questions.

Will contact tracing be in place in educational and childcare settings?

The government has launched a new national test and trace programme. This will bring together an app, expanded web and phone-based contact tracing, and swab testing for those with potential coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. This programme will play an important role in helping to minimise the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the future. It will also include more traditional methods of contact tracing if a child, young person or parent tests positive. This could include, for example, direct discussion with parents and schools or colleges on recent contacts. The government is recruiting 18,000 contact tracers to support contact tracing and will recruit more if needed. They will play an important part in tracing the contacts of those with coronavirus (COVID-19), including children.

What happens if someone becomes unwell at an educational or childcare setting?

If anyone in an education or childcare setting becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste of smell (anosmia), they must be sent home and advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection guidance.

If a child is awaiting collection, they should be moved, if possible, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window should be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people.

If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they should use a separate bathroom if possible. The bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.

PPE should be worn by staff caring for the child while they await collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained (such as for a very young child or a child with complex needs).

In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.

If a member of staff has helped someone with symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves (and in which case, a test is available) or the child subsequently tests positive (see ‘What happens if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a setting?’ below). They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell. Cleaning the affected area with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. See the COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings guidance.

What happens if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a setting?

When a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19), they should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days and arrange to have a test to see if they have COVID-19. They can do this by visiting NHS.UK to arrange or contact NHS 119 via telephone if they do not have internet access. Their fellow household members should self-isolate for 14 days. All staff and students who are attending an education or childcare setting will have access to a test if they display symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), and are encouraged to get tested in this scenario.

Where the child, young person or staff member tests negative, they can return to their setting and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation.

Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group within their childcare or education setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms.

As part of the national test and trace programme, if other cases are detected within the cohort or in the wider setting, Public Health England’s local health protection teams will conduct a rapid investigation and will advise schools and other settings on the most appropriate action to take. In some cases a larger number of other children, young people may be asked to self-isolate at home as a precautionary measure – perhaps the whole class, site or year group. Where settings are observing guidance on infection prevention and control, which will reduce risk of transmission, closure of the whole setting will not generally be necessary.

Should educational settings ask parents to report students’ temperatures at the start of each day?

Parents, carers and settings do not need to take children’s temperatures every morning. Routine testing of an individual’s temperature is not a reliable method for identifying coronavirus (COVID-19). Educational and childcare settings should reiterate to parents/carers the need to follow the standard national advice on the kind of symptoms to look out for that might be due to coronavirus (COVID-19), and where to get further advice. If anyone in the household develops a fever, or a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), they are advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection guidance (which states that the ill person should remain in isolation for 7 days and the rest of the household in isolation for 14 days).

Will children and young people be eligible for testing?

All children and young people eligible to attend education and childcare settings, and members of their households, will have access to testing if they display symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will enable them to get back into childcare or education, and their parents or carers to get back to work, if the test proves to be negative. Parents/carers will have a number of routes to access testing for them and their children. Visit the guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and how to arrange to have a test.

Will teachers and other staff be able to get tested if they have symptoms?

Access to priority testing is already available to all essential workers. This includes anyone involved in education, childcare or social work – including both public and voluntary sector workers, as well as foster carers. See the full list of essential workers. Education settings as employers can book tests through an online digital portal. There is also an option for employees to book tests directly on the portal.

How should special schools and colleges consider and manage risks in supporting children and young people with complex needs?

We have published guidance for special schools, specialist colleges, local authorities and any other settings managing children and young people with education, health and care plans, including those with complex needs. This covers recommendations for educational settings, working with local areas and families, on how to assess risks in supporting children and young people.