Hill View Junior Academy

18^th May 2020

Dear Parents and carers,

I am writing to you to advise you of the arrangements that we will have in place to prepare for the partial reopening of school on 1^st June. School will be open to all year 6 pupils and those children of key workers who have indicated that they require a place on Monday 1^st June. I know that many of you will be anxious, but please be assured that we will always do our very best for all of our children and staff. We have been making plans to ensure that the arrangements that are to be introduced will endeavour to keep both children and staff as safe as possible.

Each school is unique and faces different challenges, but we have been working with the governments guidance and have planned a number  of measures which will allow us to partially reopen. The main changes are as follows:

• All classes will be split in 2 with a maximum of 15 per class. This “mini” class will have the same classroom, same teacher and same equipment.
• These classes will stay separate from each other at all times throughout the day. In effect we are trying to keep them in a “bubble”.
• The start times, breaks, lunches and pick ups will be staggered to allow for social distancing.
• No more than one parent/carer will be on the yard with their child, and we ask that you respect the 2 metre social distancing rule.
• A one way system will operate for the yard – entrance is via the Queen Alexandra Road entrance and exit is via the Stannington Road exit. This will prevent congestion and allow for social distancing to be observed.
• No equipment (including phones - as these can’t be safely stored without contamination) is to be brought from home, and no equipment will be brought home from school – this is to reduce cross contamination.
• Pupils should come in training shoes to avoid bags being carried in. The only item to be brought from home is a packed lunch.
• While in school all children will be required to wash / sanitise their hands on entry to the building and anytime they re-enter the classroom or building.
• Additional cleaning has been arranged.
• There will be no assemblies

Children should attend at the times indicated below in school uniform (but can wear trainers), and have a coat, as the intention is to have some lessons outdoors weather permitting. The same school rules apply - no jewellery, nail varnish or coloured hair. Further information regarding school meals will follow.

Start times are staggered:

6DW on yard for 8.30 am pick up/ leave at 3pm.  Enter/leave by Year 6 doors

6JS on yard for 8.35 am pick up/ leave at 3.05pm. Enter/leave by Year 5 doors

6SY on yard for 8.40 am pick up/leave at 3.10pm.  Enter/leave by Year 6 doors

6CF on yard for 8.45 am pick up/ leave at 3.15pm. Enter/leave by Year 5 doors

Key workers (unless year 6, who should join their class) on yard for 8.50 am pickup/leave 3.15pm. Enter/leave by Year 4 doors

If parents of the above groups can share the above arrangements with their children so they have an understanding that there will be changes when they return to school.

Parents of year 3, 4 and 5 pupils

I am sure that you will appreciate this is a rapidly changing situation, which is being assessed and reviewed daily. The governments aspirational suggestion that all pupils attend school for a month before the school holidays in reduced classes is unrealistic for Hill View Juniors. By splitting 16 classes into 2 would mean that I would need 32 classrooms and 32 staff - which I don’t have! I am therefore going to be guided by the number of pupils attending from year 6 and key worker pupils. Once this number is established I am looking at the feasibility of one year group attending for a week, followed by a different year group the next week. This is also dependent upon the number of staff I have available, as, like some of yourselves, some are shielding or vulnerable.

Home learning will continue to be provided on the website for the year groups not in school.

I will be in touch again once I have any further information.

Please take time to consider the information above, as it is our intention to survey parents today and Tuesday regarding your intentions around whether you will be sending your child into school. Please access the survey  at the link below. Government guidance is that there will be no fines or prosecution if you choose to keep your child at home between June 1^st and the end of the summer term.

If your child or any member of your family is showing symptoms of covid-19 they must follow government guidelines, self-isolate and not attend school.

Again, can I thank you all for your support and patience during these trying times.

Kind Regards,

Tricia Bevan

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JRFBBSL