Swansea Consistent 16 Principles for reopening schools

Letter from the Director regarding reopening 22 6 20

Swansea’s guiding principles on the return to education opportunities have been drawn up to help schools plan how best they can allow pupils who would like to return to check-in, catch-up and prepare for September. The principles are not prescriptive for all schools but allow as much consistency as possible in Swansea schools, at this time. It is accepted that every school is different and safe return will be based on the school’s own risk assessment.

Guiding principles

Principle 1

The local authority’s and schools’ primary focus must be the physical and emotional wellbeing of staff and learners.

Principle 2

Schools need to make provision available for vulnerable children (for check –in or respite) and the children of key workers (which now includes school staff) between 15 June and 24 July. Emergency childcare takes primacy.

Principle 3

Wherever possible, all pupils should have contact with their current and next school year’s class teachers/form teachers when they attend their school. The contact can be virtual.

Principle 4

All children should be offered a few visits to school in the four-week period between 29 June and 24 July. A school’s risk assessment will determine frequency. There will be no minimum number.

Principle 5

There will at least be a virtual opportunity for transition between primary and secondary schools.

Principle 6

Schools will be responsible for determining sessions for check-in, catch up and preparation for September to be conducted within normal school operational hours

Principle 7

The school-based emergency childcare settings will move to each school between 15 June and 29 June. Childcare will be offered by individual schools for their own pupils (who are vulnerable children or are the children of key workers) between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm during weekdays for the remainder of the summer term. Ensuring this provision will take priority for schools’ planning in terms of capacity.

Principle 8

Schools must not exceed 33.3% occupancy.

Principle 9

The last day of this school term for pupils in Swansea schools will be Friday 24 July. Schools are expected to be open for staff on Monday 27 July (if required).

Principle 10

A simple clear message to parents will be reinforced between 3 June and 29 June to state that schools can offer what is practical and safe. Continuity of learning plans will continue in parallel to ‘check-in and catch up’.

Principle 11

The local authority’s guidance and risk assessments to schools will align with national guidance.

Principle 12

All children to bring their own packed lunch to school unless a school offers half day sessions where no lunch at school is required.

Principle 13

Schools in Swansea will not be open for nursery and reception aged children between 29 June and 24 July. They will return in September.

Principle 14

A consistent corporate approach to staff in shielding households or who are shielding will be adopted so that leaders have a clear message for staff.

Principle 15

All pupils with ALN must have the same opportunity for the check-in, catch-up and preparation for September as other pupils. Individual needs, the child and their families’ voice must be considered and reasonable adjustments put in place to enable access to the check-in, catch-up and preparation facility.

Principle 16

Where possible, parents and carers should travel with their children to and from school, ideally on foot, by bike, scooter or any other means of active travel. Social distancing should be maintained on the journey to and from school.

The Transport Team will work with schools and settings to determine the demand for home to school transport for eligible pupils and will endeavour to meet these requirements.

In providing free home to school transport, priority will be given to those pupils who are unable to attend school without it.