Frequently Asked Questions – Schools Reopening After Lockdown
Q1: Is Kelvin Grove reopening on 1st June 2020?
Kelvin Grove has remained open to critical workers and some groups of children since 20th March, even through the school holidays. The government has announced that from 1st June schools should begin to reopen for Year 6, Year 1, Reception and Nursery as well as maintain provision for the children of critical workers.
Q2: Which children are coming back?
We have made calls to all families in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. All parents who confirmed they would like their child to start back, have been sent a letter confirming the start date, arrival time and entry gate. Year 1 and year 6 groups are phased between 1st June and 5th June. Reception are phased in from 8th June to 12th June. Nursery may begin from the week of 8th June.
Q3: What will school be like?
We will have groups which are between 3 and 12 pupils. Each group will have a teacher and teaching assistant. Rooms are set up with fewer chairs and tables. Each group will move around the school and do their learning independently of one another. This includes separate playtimes, lunchtimes, arrival and leaving times.
Q4: What will the children be learning?
The priority will be pupils’ health and wellbeing, including many social aspects of learning, as well as reading, writing and maths at a personalised level.
Q5: Will the school still provide Home Learning for those children not attending school?
Yes, home learning will be provided online and through packs available from school. You will receive notification of a new learning pack available from 10am on Tuesday 2nd June. By 15th June Home Learning Packs will duplicate the learning that is happening in schools.
Q6: I am a critical worker and need my child to attend school now. What should I do?
You will need to make sure you have registered with us as a critical worker (please ring and check if you are unsure). You will need to call the Headteacher if you are using the provision for the first time.
Critical workers who have been using provision since March are still able to use provision when they are working. Please continue to use the online booking form on the website for this. If children arrive unexpectedly, we may not be able to accommodate them, and you will be called from work to collect them. This is so we can manage group sizes daily.
Q7: Is there Breakfast and After School Club?
Yes, but it is only available for critical workers. Please be expected to show proof of critical worker status and work rotas if you intend to use these facilities.
Q8: I am a parent of one of the returning year groups (Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 6) and haven’t received a letter, what should I do?
Please call the office from Tuesday 2nd June between 10am and 2.30pm.
Q9: When deciding whether my child should return, I said ‘Maybe’ or ‘No’ and I want to change my mind and send my child back. What should I do?
To keep things safe and phase the return of children, we will not be able to accommodate more children until after the 15th June. We will call all parents again to see if you wish to take up a place during the week beginning 8th June.
Q10: What is being done to reduce the risk of spreading of infection in school?– Group sizes are small (most are less than 8)
– Groups are staying together all day – separate from other groups
– Where possible adults remain consistent over the week
– Additional cleaning throughout the day
– One-way systems around the site and inside the buildings
– Different entry and exit points (please use the allotted entrance)
– Staggered start and finish times for the school day
– Each group will have allocated playground spaces for playtimes and lunchtimes
– Removal of non-essential items from classrooms
– Less school equipment
– Continual handwashing
– Social distancing at 2m where possible
– On-going risk assessment updates
Q11: What is happening to Years 2, 3, 4, 5?
The government is talking about these groups starting again before the summer, but unless conditions for managing children in school change, we cannot see how this is possible. The only way we would be able to do this would be to rota days/weeks on and off for different year groups, as there would not be enough space or adults to manage this any other way.
Q12: If my child comes back, do I have to send them in everyday?
Although there is no threat of fines or court action for non-attendance, once children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 return, they would be expected to attend at their allotted time every day. Late arrival or late collection will jeopardize the plans for social distancing so please be punctual both ends of the day if your child is coming back.
Q13: Will my child be with their class teacher and friends?
This has been a very difficult time for everyone. Classes and groups are decided based on a number of factors. It would be impossible to accommodate everyone’s preferences. Not all children can be with their teacher, teaching assistant or friends.
Q14: What will happen if a critical worker or member of staff becomes ill at school?
There will be procedures in place for any child or adult who becomes ill. If any child or adult develops Covid-19 symptoms they will be isolated and sent home. We will instruct you to get your child tested for Covid-19. If the test is positive the whole group and staff will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days. A child or adult who develops symptoms will not be allowed to return to the group until a negative test is received or the child/adult has self-isolated for seven days.
Please feel free to ask any questions you wish by emailing admin@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
If you intend to call the school or drop into the school office, please do this between 10am and 2.30pm. Queueing and social distancing measures are being implemented.