Updated 4 June 2020
As you will be aware, the government made a request for schools to start reopening from 1 June. In preparing to re-open to more pupils, it is extremely important for us to get this right, with the safety of pupils and staff at the centre of our decisions.
We know that this will be a concerning time for you, so we want to reassure you that our plans will adhere to the government’s guidance, as well as local authority advice, and we have taken our own individual academy site into consideration. Over the last week, we have carried out risk assessments to ensure we can open safely – and we will continue to review these on an ongoing basis.
What does this mean?
Year 6 pupils
Based on our risk assessments, Diverse Academies Trustees have approved the wider opening of our academies to year 6 pupils in the first instance. Initially, pupils in this year group will be returning for a compressed school day, receiving four hours learning before returning home for a later lunch. This will begin on 8 June. Further details of this have been sent separately to parents/carers of pupils in this year group.
Reception and year 1 pupils
Subject to approved further risk assessments, pupils in year 1 will be invited to return to the academy from 22 June and pupils in reception from 29 June. Parents and carers will be contacted by phone in the week prior to these dates to discuss arrangements.
Nursery
At this stage, we are unfortunately unable to provide further information regarding provision for nursery pupils. However, we will be reviewing this once we have opened to pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6.
Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 pupils
Further opening to other year groups before the end of the academic year remains dependent on government guidance and capacity within our academy. We will continue to keep you updated as soon as further guidance is issued.
Breakfast and after-school clubs
At the current time, we are unable to offer before or after-school clubs.
Children of keyworkers
We will continue to provide childcare for the children of keyworkers, which will run alongside the provision for returning pupils and will be organised to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Support and home learning
We appreciate these plans may be different to other primary schools, both locally and nationally, however it is important that the wider opening of our academy is done so based on our own risk assessments.
It is important to note that it is your right to continue to provide home education if you do not wish to send your children back into the academy – you will not be penalised or fined should you wish to keep them at home. We will respect whatever decision you make, in the interests of the health and safety of your family.
Our home learning provision will continue to support children and their families, as we have been during the period of partial closure.
Important updates to policies
We would also like to draw attention to three important documents which have also been approved by Trustees. Please ensure you take the time to read these:
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy – Covid-19 appendix
Behaviour Policy – Covid-19 appendix
Privacy Notice – Covid-19 Track and Trace
As ever, we are here to support you in whatever way we can, so please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. And finally, thank you again for your continued patience and your support of our academy.
