Return to School for Selected Age Groups – 1 June 2020

Following the Government’s announcement that Early Years, Reception, Year 1, Year 6 and possibly Year 10 will return to school on 1 June 2020, St John’s staff are very much prepared and looking forward to seeing our students return to school.

The reality is that we have not actually closed, as children of Key Workers have been in school every day, including during the Easter holidays. That means we have constantly cleaned and disinfected the school, checking all areas carefully that can be touched by hand. We maintain small numbers, help keep children at an appropriate distance and have completed our risk assessments. However, we realise that distancing with the youngest children is simply impossible. We therefore have wipes and sanitiser in each classroom, frequent hand washing and teach the children how to be safe, both in school and beyond. We have thermometers and PPE on hand and have a complete isolation area prepared, just in case a child, parent or teacher were suspected of virus. Our arrivals and departures have been staggered, everyone washes hands upon entry, and we only have a small rotation of staff to reduce any possible spread of illness.

In terms of 1 June, children will be spaced in different buildings to maintain distancing, including Early Years classrooms and the Cottage (and main building if Year 10 return), along with the children of Key Workers. A one-way system will operate to separate children and staff in our corridors. No class is over 15, and Nursery can be divided with the older Nursery children joining Reception, to reduce numbers further still. There will be four staff available to cover Nursery and Reception classes to maximise safety, while providing the level of education that St John’s is renowned for.

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. We have therefore spent the last two months renovating 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. This will be tailored to age appropriate fitness as well as sports that maintain distance – short tennis, badminton, trampoline, etc.

We feel that the Dining Hall presents the biggest risk, so throughout lockdown and for the immediate future, we are using our acres of outdoor space (and if it is wet, the Old Hall and classrooms) and ask all children to please bring their own packed lunch, snack and drink, so that we can have staggered lunchtimes. Washing facilities abound and children frequently wash hands, use wipes and the sanitiser. Obviously, meals will be discounted from invoices.

Many families will be concerned about the return to school and ultimately this will be a parental decision. 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 concerns or questions, then please contact the respective class teacher, or by all means contact me on 01395 513984.

Graham Hurrell | Headteacher