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Coronavirus

**Under the latest government guidance from Tuesday the 5th of January 2021 onsite provision will be provided only for children of critical workers and those classed as vulnerable. Remote learning will be in place for all other pupils.**

Following the governments decision to delay the full opening of the vast majority of primary schools across the South East of the country, Rayne Primary and Nursery school will be providing remote learning for the vast majority of its pupils.  These arrangements are expected to be in place until the 8th of March as a minimum and will be reviewed by the government prior to 22nd February. 

Outlined below are the key pieces of information we feel will explain how the new government guidelines will impact on the children at the school and the procedures that will be place for the safety of the children and staff. Our priority is, and always will be, the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of the entire community and although we cannot guarantee that we can keep everyone safe from catching Covid-19, we can and will take a wide range of steps to minimise the risks and meet the priority. 

Onsite Provision

As was the case during the national lockdown last spring, Rayne Primary and Nursery School will remain open only for the children of critical workers and children classed as vulnerable. 

Critical Worker – as defined by the government:  

  • Health and social care  
  • Education and childcare  
  • Key public services  
  • Local and national government 
  • Food and other necessary goods 
  • Public safety and national security 
  • Transport 
  • Utilities, communication and financial services 

We ask that parents consider very carefully whether they need to request a place for their child. The fewer children we have the school, the fewer staff are needed and therefore the safer we can keep our whole school community.

Bubbles

A bubble is a group of individuals that will be placed together for their day to day time in school. Organising children and staff into bubbles (or consistent groups) is a central part of the government’s reopening guidance. Establishing small bubbles will help in managing the school should any positive COVID-19 case occur. They will make it quicker and easier in the event of a positive case of Coronavirus to identify those that may need to self-isolate and to keep those numbers as small as possible.  In continuing to ensure the segregation of each discrete bubble we aim to prevent a whole setting having to isolate and close and to reduce any potential spread of the virus.  This essential provision will exist for the majority of the new academic year.  Any decision to vary this provision will be made based on the best interests of the health and safety of the whole school community.

Each class will form a ‘bubble’ with teaching staff remaining consistent. Each bubble will be expected to avoid or minimise contact with any child in another bubble. On some specific occasions it will be necessary for two bubbles to join but these occasions will be as few as possible e.g. two classes from the same year group may join together for a football club, once a week.

Attendance

Children who have been allocated a place for onsite learning are expected to attend school every day.

However, children must not attend school if they have Coronavirus or are showing symptoms of Coronavirus (however mild). They must also not attend school if a member of their household has Coronavirus or is showing symptoms of Coronavirus.

There is an expectation that parents/carers will engage in the test and trace programme, please visit NHS test and trace: how it works - GOV.UK for more information. A negative result would be required before a child was able to return to school.

The school will respond to a confirmed case by closing the relevant ‘bubble’ (or group) for a 10-day isolation period and deep clean the classroom and facilities. Siblings of isolated pupils would also have to isolate for 10 days but not their corresponding ‘bubble’.

Drop Off and Collection

Arriving at school

To prevent congestion and maintain an element of social distancing, children should arrive at school between 8:35 and 8:45 am. Children must be in their class by 8:45 am for the start of the school day. They will enter their classrooms via their usual entrances. We will need all families to support us with adhering to these times, as early and late arrivals will cause an increased health risk.

End of Day Pickup

Collection will be between 3:15 and 3:20 pm to prevent congestion and maintain social distancing.
Parents/carers will have an allocated place in the playground to receive their child(ren) from the teachers and then go around the back of the school hall, out of the catering gates and leave the site via the same exit as the morning. 
The staff carpark will be closed from 2.55-3.35pm to ensure all persons can exit safely.
 
We ask that only one adult per family drops off and picks up their child to reduce the number of persons on site at any one time.  Again, please adhere tightly to the allocated timings and leave the school site promptly after drop off and collection to support us with our safety procedures.

Year 6

Year 6 children will be allowed to walk home independently but we do encourage social distancing on the route home.  Written parent/carer permission will be required for this.  All other children will be required to be picked up by an adult 16 yrs and over.  We will review this in the spring term.  Any children attending wrap around care or clubs will need to be collected by an adult.  If someone different/unknown is collecting your child please ensure this is communicated to the school in advance.

Speaking with Staff

Class teachers will not able to speak with parents at drop off or collection time. If you need to speak to a member of staff there are a number of ways in which you can communicate safely. These include

  • via a request using the admin email
  • by phone or
  • if absolutely necessary via a face to face socially distanced meeting.  Meetings in person must be arranged in advance.

Remote Learning  

Work will be set on DB primary for your child and will include English, maths and topic lessons each day. Video explanations will be available and each week your child will have a video conference with their teacher in a small group to discuss their work.

Children in nursery and reception will have activities set on Tapestry.
More information about remote learning may be found here.

Wraparound Care

Wraparound childcare can continue to operate for face-to-face provision, from the start of term, in line with the local restriction tiers guidance. Wraparound care will only be available to those already in attendance at the school and where absolutely necessary.
To minimise the risk of children attending from different bubbles the following measures have been put in place.
  • Social distancing between adults and children when inside.
  • Focus on outdoor play where possible.
  • Numbers for both breakfast and after school limited to 12 places each session.
  • Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and priority given, after school, to those needing the full session
If you are critical worker and you require wraparound care please the school office.

Social Distancing and Hygiene

Maintaining hygiene is of the utmost importance. All children will need to regularly wash or sanitise their hands, including on entry to school, after using the toilers, before and after eating or moving from one are to another. You can send in some hand cream for your child to keep in school if they suffer from dry skin.

Social distancing is not a requirement for the children who are in a bubble together, they may share equipment and work together on tasks. However,

  • Throughout the school day, ‘Bubbles’ will be kept separated from others. This includes break and lunchtime, breakfast and after school clubs, and during any interventions and/or activities the children may be involved in.
  • Children in Years 1 to 6 will be seated at a desk with another child and all the desks will be facing the front of the classroom. They will need to stay at their desks as much as possible.
  • Children will be expected to keep their distance from the adults in school (and all adults will be socially distancing from each other as well).
  • At playtime and lunchtime they will be directed to play in a certain ‘zone’ with the rest of their class, and not mix with other classes.
  • The school won’t meet together as a group. 
  • Staff are still expected to maintain social distancing from the children where possible.

Government advice remains that face masks or PPE are not necessary in schools as it interferes with teaching and learning. There may, however, be occasions when a member of staff wears a mask or a visor.

Should your child use a mask travelling to and from school they will be asked to keep the mask in their school bag for the duration of the school day.

Cleaning

Our cleaning protocols and regularity of cleaning have increased significantly and will continue to do so in all areas of the school, toilet facilities, hall, door handles, classrooms etc. cleaning materials will be available in each room.

Behaviour

Our expectations of behaviour will remain high and even more important than ever to keep our entire community safe and able to focus on their learning. These expectations will be shared with the children and will apply for both onsite and remote learning.

Catering

Hot school dinners will be available daily to all children attending school. Children entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) or Universal Infant FSM can have a hot meal (that includes Reception, Y1 and Y2) if required. Any KS2 child can order a hot meal and this will be paid for on SIMS Pay in the usual way.  There will be a two-week rolling menu which will include a vegetarian option daily.  The catering team will be following very robust hygiene procedures and wearing PPE when handling food and serving meals.

Class bubbles will have allocated timings and seating areas at lunchtimes. Parents will need to provide a packed lunch in a named box/bag if they do not wish their child to have a school meal. They will be also be seated with their class bubble.  Water bottles can be refilled by the allocated midday for the class bubble at lunchtimes.  Once the children have finished their lunch they will have an outdoor session in the allocated zone for their bubble.

Children entiltield to Free School Meals (FSM) and not in school will receive food parcels or vouchers or Universal Infant FSM can have a hot meal (that includes Reception, Y1 and Y2) if required. 

Helping to keep our school community safe

If your child has symptoms of Covid 19 you must keep them at home and not send them to school. The government advice is clear - 

Symptoms
The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to testing to arrange. 
For more information click here.

If your child displays any symptoms of covid-19 at school you will be required collect them and take them, along with any siblings, home.

For guidance on testing please click here 

To request a test click here or call 119

Uniform

All children will be required to wear well presented school uniform. There is no requirement to wear a new set of uniform each day or wash this daily but personal hygiene will be necessary to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.

Uniform can be ordered directly from the school trends website. School ties (including prefect ties) are available from the school office.

Physical activity plays a vital role in both healthy development and well-being.  Children will be encouraged to have plenty of outdoor exercise daily and will need a full kit to change into.  Details of our requirements are on the school website. (NB: Please ensure earrings are removed for allocated PE lessons).  PE kits will be sent home for washing on a regular basis

Bags and equipment

Children should bring a named water bottle with fresh water to school every day as drinking taps/fountains are not allowed to be used, in line with our detailed risk assessment. 

Each child is also expected to bring a named, transparent pencil case to keep the stationary they will be provided with when arrive on their first day. Each child will keep this on their desk in school for their personal use. This will reduce the risk of spreading the virus.  All books and paper will be provided by the school.

Children will need a small bag for their reading book and/or packed lunch. Large bags are discouraged. 

Visitors

Visitors, including volunteers, will only be allowed on site when absolutely necessary and by prior appointment. This will be kept to essential persons only to minimise the risk to the school community.

Emergency Closure Procedures

In the event of school closure or the requirement for a 'bubble' to self-isolate, we will notify parents and carers as soon as possible via Parentmail. If you are not registered for SchoolComms please enquire at the school office. 

Risk Assessment

The academy carried out a thorough risk assessment prior to reopening the school in line with government guidance. This risk assessment is under constant review to ensure  its effectiveness. The current version of the risk assessment is available on request from the academy office.

Further Information

Further guidance and information is available via the links below should you wish to read more about the government plans to reopen in September:

Rayne Primary and Nursery School | Hosted by New Era Education | DB Primary | DB Learning Library

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