Return to School in September 2020

Following the Government’s announcement, St John’s staff are very much prepared and looking forward to seeing all our students return to School in September.

The reality is that we have not actually closed at any time, as children of Key Workers have been in school every day, including during the Easter holidays, and we welcomed back Early Years, Junior School and Year 10 as soon as we were allowed to do so. That means we have gained considerable and valuable experience maintaining the strictest hygiene levels, constantly updating risk assessments, teaching in ‘bubbles’ and of course with the added advantage of spacious playgrounds, fields and woodlands to enable us to cope with the most stringent social distancing. In case of suspected infection, we have digital thermometers and PPE on hand, as well as a complete isolation area prepared for any eventuality. Our arrivals and departures have been staggered, all visitors recorded for track and test, everyone washes hands upon entry, and staff remain within their teaching bubble to reduce possible spread of illness.

To allow reopening for all, Key Stage ‘bubbles’ will be taught in different buildings to maintain distancing, including Early Years classrooms and the Cottage. PE and Sport will also take place in these bubbles, to allow us to minimise contact between groups, which also extends to break and lunch times. A one-way system will operate to distance the children and staff in our corridors and outside on the patio.

Some of the youngest children will have missed social and adventure activities, so we want them to venture outside to enjoy the fresh air and to learn through creative play. To enable this we have renovated the Nursery garden, Early Years playground, the larger adventure playground and patio, while developing learning activities in our adjacent woodland (Welly Boot Camp, as we call it). In addition to the importance of outdoor education for wellbeing, creative games and exercise, this will also further improve distancing, as children will not be confined to a classroom. In the case of wet weather, there is also the Sports Hall and Old Hall, for learning activities, as well as for our normal sports programme. Should distancing remain at, or revert to, two metres, we have created new teaching rooms in the Boarding area that will easily accommodate our largest group, and will become our June 2021 external examination area.

In terms of sport, we take our advice from Government as well as sports bodies’ webpages, and currently provide age appropriate fitness as well as sports that maintain distance – short tennis, badminton, trampoline, athletics, etc. We will introduce distance-conditioned sports training in September, as well as a module on ‘Invasion Games’, but will not be allowed to start fixtures for the foreseeable future, like all schools. Swimming will go ahead, and four staff will renew their Swim Life Guard qualifications in August so that we can provide small group swimming throughout the term, hopefully on a daily basis in our heated indoor pool.

Our school bus service will resume in September, following best practice and Government guidelines, with the additional advantage that our drivers work for the School and are responsible for their vehicles in terms of cleaning, hygiene and general safety. Our School catering service will also resume, including Breakfast Club, with staggered lunchtimes, distancing for staff and students, but without our customary buffet sections. All food will be served by the catering team. Some families will still be concerned about the return to School and we welcome you to come in to discuss any issue and see for yourselves how the system will work. We feel that we have prepared well, understand the potential risks and use our professional common sense, erring on caution. We are looking forward to seeing your children again! Should you have any further questions, please contact the respective class teacher, or by all means contact me on 01395 513984.

Graham Hurrell | Headteacher