**INFORMATION RE SEPTEMBER 2021 – AUTUMN TERM**

September 2021 arrangements

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have now received headline changes to COVID-19 guidance, from the Department for Education, which will impact on how school will be organised in September.

Clearly there is still a lot of uncertainty and time to pass before we return in September, so I plan on confirming our procedures a week or so before we return. What we do know is what will remain…

WHAT NEEDS TO STAY
• An updated risk assessment that we will regularly review.
• Remote learning offer for those who are self-isolating and well enough to learn.
• Good hygiene and regular hand washing – the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach continues to be very important.
• Regular cleaning of areas and equipment.
• Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated – while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
• Following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
• Those who test positive with LFD should isolate and get a PCR test. Anyone receiving a positive PCR test will still need to isolate.
• Staff undertaking twice weekly home tests beginning the week before we return to school.
• The existing one-way system for dropping off and collecting children will remain
• Children will continue to come to school in full PE kit (white T shirt and black joggers or shorts) on their PE days – this saves a lot of teaching time.
• It is expected all pupils will wear full school uniform: grey trousers, skirts or dresses, grey socks, black shoes, bottle green sweatshirt (with or without logo) and bottle green polo shirt

WHAT WILL BE CHANGING
• Bubbles in school are no longer necessary – children can mix and play together at break times and lunch times.
• Assemblies in the hall can resume
• Contract tracing will be conducted by NHS Test and Trace and not school settings
• From 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old and fully vaccinated adults will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone having a positive test, but they will be advised to take a PCR test
• Face coverings not advised for pupils, staff and visitors – either in classrooms or in communal areas including on dedicated school and public transport.
• Most staff in schools will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need for their work.
• Settings to create outbreak management plans.
• It will not be necessary to stagger start and finish times for schools and colleges. The school gates will open at 8:30 am for children, registration is at 8:50am. Anyone arriving after this time will be marked as late.
• End of the day collection will be at 3.10pm for all pupils.

We are also pleased to inform you that face-to-face meetings can resume. On Monday 6th September, there will be an ‘open door’ drop-in session from 3:15-3:45 to give you the opportunity to meet your child’s new teacher and provide you with an overview of the expectations, dates for PE, curriculum themes and any other questions that you may have.

Any queries – please let me know.
Mrs C

** IMPORTANT INFORMATION – MRS ELLIS – YEAR 5 BUBBLE CLOSURE**

Dear Parents and Carers,

Unfortunately we have a child in year 5 (Mrs Ellis’s class) that has received a positive lateral flow test. The child has now also been for PCR test today, but the results are not yet known. Therefore, as a precaution, the class bubble must close for tomorrow until we receive the result. I will contact all parents of children in Mrs Ellis’s class tomorrow with further information, as soon as I know more. This situation has not currently affected any other classes in school, so all chn in Mr Watkins class can come in tomorrow.
The remote learning offer will be in place tomorrow so children will not miss out on the work they would have completed in school.
Thank you once again for your patience and understanding.
Mrs C