Brynmill return of KS2 pupils – Logistics Key Points for Parents
Brynmill return of KS2 pupils – Logistics Key Points for Parents
Welsh Government has issued comprehensive guidance for schools which details the planning and reorganisation that schools will need to put in place in readiness for a Key Stage 2 return on 15th March.
In order to mitigate some of the risks associated with a full return, schools are being asked to reduce contact by:
- Grouping learners together
- avoiding contact between groups as much as possible
- arranging classrooms with forward facing desks where appropriate
- staff maintaining distance from learners and other staff as much as possible
Below is a set of answers to the things we think most parents will want to know. If you have any other questions, we will use them to update this page.
| Point | Actions |
| What date will my child start? | All primary pupils are expected to be in school on Monday 15th March 2021.
We expect that pupils in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils will return on 15 March to join the children in Foundation Phase. |
| Will there be staggered drop off and collection times? Yes
What will the timings be?
Where do I line up with my child?
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In line with Welsh Government’s suggested measures for arriving and leaving schools, classes will have a different drop off and collection times. The timings will be as follows
8:30 am – 3:00 pm 1 /2 H – Gate 3 1 /2 L – Gate 2 1 / 2 B – Gate 4
8:45 am to 3:15 pm LFP M – Gate 4 (with runner) LFP R – Gate 3 with runner 4/5 J - Gate 2
9:00 am – 3:30 pm 3 /4 N Gate 2 3 /4 T Gate 3 5/6 D Gate 4 5/6 E Gate 5
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| Do I need to wear face covering to drop off my child? | All parents and visitors to school sites must wear a face covering. Parents should also avoid gathering at the school gate and should arrive as close as they can to their agreed drop off/collection time.
Wearing of face coverings (primary) The Welsh Government has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools. To reduce the risk of transmission amongst parents and relatives, please wear masks when visiting school, and at drop-off and collection areas. Maintaining clear social distance at the school gates will also reduce risk and set a good example to pupils.
Please follow these guidelines and encourage your child to follow theirs too. They have been made stronger to keep you and your families as safe as possible. They are based on new advice from Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Group, as we learn more about the way COVID-19 is transmitted.
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| Dropping off my child
How will they come into school?
What if we are late and miss the class drop off time?
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Pupils will arrive and wait at different gates with one parent on socially distanced queue spots next to their class’s assigned gate/s.
*It is important that pupils are accompanied by one parent or carer and that parents/ carers are on time.
Parents/ carers will be asked if they or their child have any Covid symptoms.
Children will enter one at a time and find a ‘splat’ to stand on. All children will use hand sanitiser as they enter school and the need to handwash reinforced throughout the day.
We would appeal to parents/carers to avoid being late if possible. Schools must do all they can to limit opportunity for mixing of class bubbles/ groups. If too many parents bring their children to school late, it makes it very difficult for us to manage safe drop off arrangements. If however, you have an emergency which means that you are unavoidably late, please take your child/ren to Gate 1 and queue on the socially distanced lines, waiting with your child until they are admitted.
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| Collecting my child
How will they leave school?
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All pupils must be collected from school including Year 6 pupils. Staff will bring pupils down to the allocated exit and wait on splats. Parents/carers are asked to wait on queue spots, a member of staff will call each child in turn. Once reunited with your child, parents and carers are asked to move away from the gate to avoid a gathering of any kind |
| I have children with different start and finish times.
What are my options? |
Dropping off
Where siblings start times are different they can arrive together at Gate 1 between 8.30 and 9.00.
Collection.
WG Guidance demands that schools endeavour to avoid contact between different groups of learners. We would ask, unless in the case of an emergency, that your child/ren are collected at their allotted class pick up time.
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| How will children be grouped?
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Your child will be in a consistent class size contact group. |
| What about break times? | Pupils will stay with their class for break times and lunch play on a staggered basis. They will be able to use an outdoor zone (weather permitting) with the aim of minimizing contact between groups, whilst still giving our children chance to run around and play together. |
| Will there be Social Distancing? | Reducing the number of contacts between learners and staff will be achieved through keeping groups separate and through maintaining distance between individuals.
In primary schools, especially for younger learners the emphasis will be on separating groups. For learners old enough, they should be supported to maintain distance and not touch staff where possible.
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| What if my child becomes unwell? | Pupils who are feeling unwell during the school day will be allocated an isolation room for their and others’ safety.
Pupils who are feeling ill before school should not attend and if they exhibit COVID19 symptoms, they should follow Public Health Wales advice for families in terms of quarantine. |
| Will the Local Authority continue to provide emergency childcare? | No, there will be no emergency childcare provision in the autumn term. |
| What about Lunchtimes? | Pupils will stay with their contact group (class) and will eat together in class or outside.
The Local Authority catering service have informed schools that they are planning to offer school meals. For parents who wish to use this service, it will be available via Squid as usual. There will be a choice from 2 hot options which will be delivered to the classroom, and we are currently using reusable containers. |
| Will my child need equipment?
Can my child share class resources?
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For individual and very frequently used equipment, such as pencils and pens, pupils need to have their own items that are not shared. They should bring in their own pen and pencil case (one). However, if pupils need to borrow, then these will be cleaned at the end of the day.
Classroom-based resources, such as books and games, can be used and shared within the contact group; these will be cleaned regularly
Pupils should bring in their own water bottle and can fill it up through the day themselves, not share. |
| Do staff or pupils need PPE? | Due to the scientific evidence related to the wearing of PPE clothing and masks, the schools risk assessment identifies when it may be needed, and that staff may choose to wear masks. If you wish your child to do so, we respect that choice however, parents are asked to consider WG guidance, which states that “No one who may not be able to handle face coverings as directed (e.g. young learners, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) should wear them as it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission, ”
They must wash their hands upon arrival and dispose of temporary face covering in a bin.
Hand washing should always be practiced before putting on and after removing PPE |
| How will infection control be managed? | Additional cleaning will take place through the day of all surfaces, high touch areas and resources used. Children will only use resources that can be frequently cleaned. Posters and videos will reinforce this with pupils. Toilet usage will be managed be allocated members of staff and water fountains will be made unavailable. Pupils with First Aid or Personal Care needs will be attended to by staff with PPE. |
| What about uniform / clothing? | There is an expectation that pupils will wear uniform in line with the school policy. |
| Will there be Breakfast Club? | There will Breakfast club, places are limited and priority will be given to children entitled to Free School Meals and whose parents are blue light workers or key workers. The school will send out updated details and forms prior to the 15th March. |
| Will Playworks After School Club be operating from September? | Schools in Swansea have risk assessments in place that will focus on educating all pupils within their class bubbles. This means that after school clubs and any activity that mixes bubbles in schools should be avoided. |
| What will children be doing? | WG are directing schools to develop an approach to learning for the Spring term which is flexible enough to adapt to different scenarios and differing amounts of in-school learning and learning at home or elsewhere.
Schools have been asked to consider a range of priorities including:
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| Will I be able to talk with my child’s class teacher | Of course however ad hoc site visits are not permitted. Where possible, we would try to arrange consultation remotely either via a telephone call or video conferencing at the earliest convenience.
Please note, with the exception or drop off and collection, all gates will be locked. Should parents/carers require access to the school building, please contact the school office of 01792 463019
Class dojo messaging service should be used as a means of communication between school and home. |
| Free School Meals | The Local Authority will be providing a choice of a hot or cold option which those eligible for Free School Meals will be able to order via Squid
If you think you are eligible but have not already applied, please follow this link. https://www.swansea.gov.uk/applyfreeschoolmeals
All children will need to bring a water bottle.
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