Health and safety procedures for partial opening of the school


This is a summary of the health and safety measures that will be used when the school is partially opened in the last half of the summer term.

All planning is subject to review and may be adapted to meet the needs of the community.

At the end of each week our management of children will be reviewed by the SLT with input from other colleagues.  If our initial plans need revision, we will either update them or change the organisation.  This may involve ceasing some provision if we are not able to maintain high standards of hygiene. 

1.      PPE
The following PPE has been ordered for use by staff:
a)        Gloves
b)        Face masks
c)         Aprons
d)        Sanitiser
e)        Thermometer gun (on order, delivery expected over half term)
Staff are recommended to use gloves in the workplace and face masks will be worn by    
those administering first aid and any invasive medical procedures.  Face masks are optional for our teaching team.  Sanitiser dispensers are being located by the major entrances to the school for all to use.
PPE needs to be disposed of in the recommended disposal bins by the first aid room.  Recommended DfE protocols for disposing of this will be followed.

2.      Social distancing
Children and members of staff will be instructed to keep 2m apart from each other at all times. 
Parents are not allowed into the school building.  Teachers will not engage in conversations at the school gates, in order to prevent bunching of people at the gates, all communication will be by phone or email. 

3.      Hygiene instructions to children
Children will be told to wash their hands at all available times, with the government’s guidelines on best practice. 

4.      Health checks on children
If anyone in the household is showing symptoms please do not bring your child to school. 
If there are concerns that a child is showing signs of infection, they will be isolated in the conference room and their parents instructed to collect immediately and taken home.  The government’s advice on managing suspected infection will then be followed.
Test for members of staff or children who are displaying symptoms are now available.  The Head Teacher will make a referral to one of the local remote testing stations.

5.      Entry and exit from the building
The two year groups will use different entrances/exits in Gants Hill Crescent to reduce contact. 
Year Six will use the small gate nearest to the Zen Den.
Year One will use our Delivery entrance.
2m marks will be used in the street to keep families apart.
Children will be instructed to wash their hands each time they enter the building.
It is recommended that each child is accompanied by one parent only, to reduce the risk of encouraging groups around the site.
Parents are recommended to bring their children to school on foot or bicycle. 

6.      Staffing levels
Each child will be allocated to a new class group, of no more than 12.  The average class size is actually 9.  Each class will be taught by a teacher.  The teacher may not be the class’ usual teacher.  The teacher will not rotate unless cover is required for sickness or planning.  We aim to keep contact with other teachers down to a minimum.
Support staff will be allocated to high needs children, under the guidance of our SENCO. 

7.      Cleaning of the building and resources
The cleaning team will clean all areas used by the classes at the end of each day. This will include the tables and chairs, doors, handles and toilets.

8.      Bespoke risk assessments
Senior Leaders have written several bespoke risk assessments to manage risks, to match the emergency.  These include a generic return to school RA, Fire evacuation procedures, managing the needs of SEND children, and safeguarding procedures.  These will be reviewed regularly once all classes have returned.

9.      Reducing risks in the building
Each child will be allocated a classroom that will be organised to preserve safe distancing.  Desks will be place 2m apart from each other.  Children will only use a personal set of resources.  These will not be shared with others.  Only hard resources will be used.
Wherever possible doors will be kept open using fire alarm friendly door stops.
Everyone is advised to use elbows or arms to push doors open whenever possible.

10.  Parental choice
Children are strongly encouraged to return to school.  If parents are not able to send their child back – because of existing family vulnerability or sickness in the household, there will be no fines issued.  I hope to persuade you that we have taken all possible steps to reduce risks in school, to provide a safe place to return to. 


If any parent has further queries we are happy to answer.  Please call or email the school office.

Comments