Minchinhampton Academy COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions.
May 29th 2020.
Q: I had originally responded no on the survey monkey but after careful consideration and asking our child their views, we would like to send them to school if they do starton the 1st. How much notice do I need to give the school?
A: We will assume that all children whose parents accepted a place by the 22nd May (via email to k.bennett@minchschool.net) may turn up on the 1st 2nd 3rdJune (depending on year group, see risk assessment) and will allocate a place for them. If you decide not to send your child and want the place at a later date then you would need to give us two weeks’ notice. This will allow us tomanage a child’s start, look at groups, (particularly if children and staff are isolating) and ensure we have adequate staffing. It would be a challenge for us if a child or 10 just turned up that we weren’t expecting. If you do not start on the 1stwe will expect 2 weeks’ before they can return to school.
Q: Will the classes be allocated prior to the start on the 1st?
A: Yes, we are working on them now. Year 6 children will be with children from their class but not always with their own teacher.
Q: Will they be with their friends?
A: We hope to put them with people they know and design groups that work, but putting friends together may not be possible. Please know we will take account of any concerns you may have for your children, but we cannot promise anything.
Q: How will I know which classroom/pod my child is going to be in and will you tell me which other students are in that pod?
A: The children will find out on their first day. We can reassure you that we have spent time creating pods that work and to ensure the children have familiar faces around them.
Q: Can siblings attend too?
A: Sadly, the answer to this is ‘no’. We must stay within the guidelines and have to be consistent and fair in applying them.
Q: Does my child have to attend?
A: No one with symptoms should attend for any reason. All children in the selected groups are encouraged to attend unless self-isolating or shielding. Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time and the schools will not be held to account for attendance levels.
Q: I am worried that my child is vulnerable or that a family member is, should I send them back to school?
A: Children and young people who are considered extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should continue to shield and should not attend.
Clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) people are those considered to be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. A minority of children will fall into this category, and parents should follow medical advice if their child is in this category.
Children and young people who live in a household with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable and shielding should only attend if stringent social distancing can be adhered to and the child or young person is able to understand and follow those instructions.
Children and young people who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable (but not extremely clinically vulnerable) as defined in the social distancing guidance and including those who are pregnant, can attend. DFE May 2020
Q: Will children be confined to the same classroom environment most of the day?
A: Government advice/scientific evidence shows that the outdoor environment is much more manageable in terms of virus transmission. We will look to operate outside whenever possible and in line with the needs of the group. The pods will each be allocated a classroom.
Q: How will lunch time work to ensure children are safe?
A: The school will run a staggered lunchtime to maintain as much spacing as is possible. Lunches will return as the government has requested “schools are expected to reopen their kitchens and ensure that meals are able to be prepared and served safely”. Free School Meal children will continue to receive vouchers if they are not attending school. We will be serving packed lunches rather than hot meals and will look for children to eat them in their pods, outside whenever possible or in their classrooms.
Q: Will my child be expected to bring in/ share resources, such as pens and pencils?
A: No- is the simple answer. Where possible, children will be given their own equipment, which they must not share with anyone else. We will provide them with zip up wallets and they will use these and their trays for their personalised resources. Any resources that are shared (e.g. school laptop) will be thoroughly disinfected after use.
In Reception/ Year 1 it is inevitable that they may touch resources that have been touched by another child. We will do our best to clean and sanitise all resources and will have staff spending time cleaning resources. Staff will put equipment out on rotation and each class has a tub of playground equipment which they can use.
Q: So what do my children need to bring to school?
Essentially as little as possible:
Please ensure your children have applied sun cream before they come to school.
They only need to bring
-in a washable bag:- (washed daily)
–packed lunch (unless ordering a school one)
–healthy snack
–NAMED water bottle (but not Nursery children)
–NAMED hand cream (to be kept in school)
Q: What should they wear?
Clothing suitable for whatever the weather—including:- sun hatas well as waterproofcoat and jumper/cardigan.
Clothing that is sensible and practical for learning, which will be practical both indoors and outdoors- please no vests or crop-tops.
Shoes that are practical and sensible for outdoor learning…no flip-flops. For theyounger pupils- shoes that don’t have laces unless your child can tie their laces.
Q: I’m a keyworker and my child has been in the childcare provision throughout. My child is in Nursery, Reception/Yr 1 and Yr 6- what will happen to them?
A: Your child will join their year group and we would encourage them to attend school every day.
Q: I’m a key worker and I have only needed my child to access school childcare for 2 days a week up to now. Do they have to attend every day from 1st June if they are in N, Yr R,1,6?
The Government is advising that they strongly encourage eligible children to attend including priority groups. For the sake of continuity both for your child’s learning and welfare and staff able to teach effectively, we would advise they now come back for the full offer. We are happy to discuss your circumstances and try to find a way forward for you.
Q: My child is in the childcare provision currently but isn’t in the year groups above?
A: If you are a key worker and need to cover your child/ren during the school day, please contact k.bennett@minchschool.netand include the days you are looking for, Kerrie will then call you to discuss your requirements. Please note we asked for this to be done by May 22ndand for the sake of managing organisation and capacity in school, the next time we ask will be on the 15thJune.
Q: Will everyone arrive at school at the same time causing an increase in risk?
A: No. Please see the risk assessment sent to all parents and the letter earlier this week. This includes the day your child will start school, the start and finish times, and the drop off and collection point.
Only one parent or carer should accompany the child to school to minimise risk. Only parents of Reception/ Year 1 will be invited to enter the playground and will drop off as described above.
Q: Will the school have assembly/acts of worship?
A: Little groups will have an opportunity for reflection/ prayer within their daily session, but there will be no mass gatherings or daily acts of worship as a school.
Q: My child is feeling anxious about coming back to school, how can I prepare him/her?
You will need to prepare your child by talking about what school was like and what it will be like now. It will be different.
Sharing social stories can be really helpful for young children and help to express the situation in a clear factual way, reducing emotional responses.
It will be important to encourage your child to talk about their experiences in ‘lockdown’ and that this period is now ending.
Q: Will children go straight back into normal lessons following the national curriculum?
A: No. The initial focus, for as long as we feel necessary, will be on supporting personal, social, health and emotional aspects of learning to support children’s wellbeing. They have all gone through an incredible period of change and experienced loss on a number of different levels. All have had changes in routine, loss of communication etc. and some may have sadly even experienced the loss of a family member. This shouldn’t be ignored.
Q: How will you support my child’s emotional wellbeing?
A: In addition to that mentioned above, a team of staff will be available to provide support. Our SENCO, Pastoral Lead and pastoral team will all work to ensure that children’s needs are met.
There will be plenty of opportunities for children to discuss their feelings, play, rebuild friendships and have ‘break out’ or ‘chill out’ spaces for times when they may feel overwhelmed.
Q: Will staff and children wear masks or PPE?
Generally, at this time, the answer is no.
The Government guidelines state, ‘The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need for their work, even if they are not always able to maintain a distance of 2 metres from others. PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases including:
- children, young people and students whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs should continue to receive their care in the same way
- if a child, young person or other learner 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 a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained. If contact with the child or young person is necessary, then disposable gloves, a disposable 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.’
Q: Should I send a mask to school with my child. What if as a school/PHE (Public Health England) you say no to masks but I insist my child should wear one? Will you allow that?
A: We need to apply one rule for all with this one- as is sometimes/ regularly the case in school life- for the sake of fairness. Given current ‘guidance’ dictates no masks- we, none of us wear masks. I have suggested we all start making them in case- and my advice on this still holds.
Q: Will the after school club be open?
A: Yes but only for key workers and only if absolutely necessary. Charges for After School Club will apply. Please book in the usual way with Mrs Bailey funclub@minchschool.net. There will be a cap on numbers and key workers’ children will be given priority. Kerrie Bennett has contacted all families and is liaising with parents regarding how After School Club will look.
Q: Will we allow visitors and volunteers into school?
A: No until the situation is deemed to be safe, we would prefer to minimise additional adults coming in and out of school.
Q: Will extra-curricular clubs run (football club, dance club etc)?
A: No. These bring too many children into contact and mix the school groupings.
Q: Will the school office be open?
A: 8.30 – 4.00pm daily – All calls will be picked up in the first week, i.e. answerphone will not be in use initially.
Q: Will you continue to provide online home learning activities for children who do not return to school?
A: Yes this will be provided for children who are continuing their education at home.
Q: Will children and young people be eligible for testing for the virus?
A: The government advice is:
When settings open to the wider cohort of children and young people, all those children and young people eligible to attend, and members of their households, will have access to testing if they display symptoms of coronavirus. 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. To access testing parents will be able to use the 111 online coronavirus service if their child is 5 or over. Parents will be able to call 111 if their child is aged under 5.
Q: Will teachers and other staff be able to get tested if they have symptoms?
A: Access to 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.
Q: What will happen if a child in the class shows symptoms?
A: We will follow the Government guidelines set out below.
If anyone becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature in an education or childcare setting, they must be sent home and advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus 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 (this will be the Buddy room). 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 toilet while waiting to be collected, they should use a separate toilet 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. Please ensure we have your most up to date contact numbers. Should we need to contact you in an emergency this is imperative.
If a member of staff has helped someone who was unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, 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 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.
Q: What happens if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus in school?
A: We will follow the Government guidance set out below.
When a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus, they should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days. 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, 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. The school will seek advice from PHE at all times.
Q: Will the school take my child’s temperature every day?
A: No, but if we suspect a child of having symptoms, we may use a non-invasive thermometer. This will be put under the child’s arm. The thermometer will be cleaned before and after use.
Q: What if another child ‘coughs’ deliberately in someone else’s face?
A: School will take this very seriously and it will be classed as an assault. We will explain to the child the dangers and consequences of these actions. Parents will be telephoned and may have to come and collect their child.
Q: Where can I find more information about returning to school?
A: The Government information is provided here
Q: My child has dry hands, can they use cream?
A: Yes, we are encouraging children to bring in their own hand cream; the child will be encouraged to self-apply, after hand washing if required. It is important that it is not shared or touched by others. If you would prefer to supply your own hand soap/hand cream please ensure you send it into school clearly named.
Q: Where will my child’s hand cream be kept if I send their own with them?
A: It will be kept in their drawer/clear bag of belongings.
Q: What happens to medicines?
A:. Your child’s medication should be returned to the school office on Monday 1stJune, there will be a box at each of the drop off points; a member of staff who is first aid trained will be on hand should you have any questions. Please place the medicines in a plastic bag which is clearly named.Please include where necessary instructions as to when dosage should be administered and what dose.
Q: What about asthma pumps?
These should be dropped off on the first day and in the same way as medicines above. We will contact you if this fails to happen. All children took their pumps home when we went into lockdown and it is critical that they come back into school now. Please ensure they have been washed, and checked that they are in date.
Q: If they forget something, can I bring it in?
A: Unless it’s an emergency please refrain from bringing anything into the school office.
Q: Whom do I talk to If I have a concern or question?
A: This will depend on the need:
| Concern | Contact | Method | |
| Regarding home learning for a pupil in Y1, Y2, Y3 | Your child’s class teacher | On the class email address | |
| Regarding home learning for a pupil in Y4, Y5, Y6 | Your child’s class teacher | On the class email address | |
| Regarding pastoral provision and need | Kerrie Bennett |
|
|
| Regarding SEN provision and need | Mrs Wilson/Mrs Bennett | admin@minchschool.net | |
| Regarding money and finances if you are in difficulty | Kerrie Bennett | k.bennett@minchschool.net | |
| Day to day questions | School admin team | admin@minchschool.net | |
| Individual questions for the class teacher linked to a child in school | Class teacher
(staff will be busy during the school day) |
The school office will not be operating the answerphone during the school day for the first week, please call the office, or email on admin@minchschool.net |
Q: What is happening to trips, residential and diary events?
A: All trips and school events have been cancelled. Sports Day, end of year shows, parents’ drop-in, class assemblies etc. have all had to be cancelled. We are planning to do something for Year 6 in the future but this may be in the new academic year after they have left.
Q: What’s happening about year 6 transition to year 7?
A: We are awaiting confirmation from GASH (Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Heads) as to how they will conduct transition – this may be different for different secondary schools.
Q: What about the new reception children?
A: Information is coming to you a bit at a time. There will not be any stay and play sessions this year and we are reviewing what transition will look like in September. We will keep you updated.
Q: You haven’t considered my question, what should I do?
A: Email us on admin@minchschool.net– Please add in the subject section – Question not answered and we will reply within 2 working days.
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