Important information about the wider opening of school
**The wider opening of schools will be dependent on the Government’s announcement on the 28th May**
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we start to plan for the intended phased return of some children in June, this is only the beginning of our gradual return to normality. There is a long way to go and many questions remain unanswered as many of you expressed in the survey.
The wider opening of school is a decision which has taken into consideration the Department for Education, Local Authority advice and the context of our school. There is not one size fits all, every school is different and each school is likely to approach this in a different way.
As you will notice not all year groups will come back at the same time and that the number of children/ year groups coming into school will depend on space and staff available. We believe that this measured response to the challenges school are facing in opening to a wider number of pupils, is the safest way. After careful consideration and consultation with the Governing Body we have decided that school will potentially be open for Y6 pupils only in the week beginning 8th June. This gives us enough time to make sure all the necessary health and safety measures are in place to keep children, staff and parents safe. We then plan to follow with Y1, then Reception. This gradual wider opening of school will mean that by taking things slowly we can evaluate the things which we have put in place and make changes where needed. Further details will be sent nearer the time.
We have also decided that the children will be in school Monday to Thursday. On Friday the school will undertake a deep clean of all the areas used and teachers will take their PPA. This does not apply to children of critical workers and those working with social care. We fully appreciate that a phased return will be stressful and will create difficulties with childcare for some of our families with children in different year groups. We will continue to provide remote learning for children at home through our class blogs and learning packs; this will be the same as what is being done in school and we will continue to provide care for the children of critical workers. I have already said in my previous letter that school will be a very different place to what we are all used to, the main difference being that children will be learning in small social bubbles and will not mix with any other bubble.
We completely understand that many parents will not want to send their child back to school at the moment and will be concerned about the implications, but please be reassured no action will be taken for non-attendance.
A full risk assessment has been carried out to assess and mitigate the risk to pupils and staff and I am currently working on the groups and staffing for the first phase of the wider opening of school to key workers and year 6. I will share these with you once finalised. We all want nothing more than to be able to return to school and get back to normality. The health, safety and wellbeing of the Ravensbury community is always at the heart of the decisions we make and we know we can rely on you to work with us as we move forward.
Take care and stay safe,
Mrs Hughes Headteacher and Ms Crowe Chair of Governors