Information about returning to school

You will find lots of information below about returning to school.  As well as the information that we are putting out for our own children and parents, there is also a DfE (Department for Education) coronavirus helpline for queries relating to schools and other educational establishments, and children's social care.  The helpline number is 0800 046 8687 and opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

You will also find information on the West Sussex website:

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/helping-children-get-back-to-school-with-confidence/

Preparing your child to return to school

With all children due to return to school, there are a number of ways in which you can support the school in helping us to operate safely, and also in managing this transition for your children.

• Explain to your child that things will be very different in school - they will be starting at finishing at different times, and won't be spending time with children from other classes. Their classrooms will also look different, with all children sitting in rows from Year 3 upwards. Lunch will also be eaten in the classroom for most of the children. However, please also emphasise all the positives about returning to school - why not have a look at some photos of the school and the class pages from the website (or on Tapestry if your child is in Early Years or Year 1) and talk together about what your child enjoys about school and what they are looking forward to; 
• Explain to your child that it is very important that they stay in their 'class bubble' and that this group of children and adults will be their school family over the coming weeks.  Please ensure that your child understands that they cannot come out of this group to see friends in another class and that this also applies when they are on the playground.
• Ensure that your child understands when to wash their hands and how to wash their hands thoroughly.  There are resources below to help you with this and a copy of the posters that will be displayed in classrooms and at all sink areas around the school so that you can familiarise your children with them;
• For their safety and for that of the rest of the school, please talk to your children about the importance of telling the adult that they are with if they feel unwell.
• You may find the resource below helpful in talking them through what returning to school will be like and why it is happening:

What if my child or a member of my family is showing symptoms of the coronavirus?

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child or a member of your household develops coronavirus symptoms, you must not send them to school.  Instead you must call the school to inform the school of this and follow the national Stay at Home Guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

If your child becomes seriously ill or their life is at risk then you should call 999 for urgent assistance.

The following leaflet has COVID-19 information for parents and carers:

How will the school respond if my child shows symptoms of COVID-19?

If your child begins to show any of the symptoms of COVID-19 while they are at school, or if you inform us that they are staying at home with symptoms, we will follow the flow chart of procedures detailed by Public Health England.  We will also ensure that Public Health England and the local authority are notified in the case of both suspected and confirmed cases.

We also follow a 'tick list' of steps to follow if the child is in school, ensuring that the area where the child has been sat is deep cleaned, any waste disposed of safely, parents informed of the steps that they should take etc. This is to support us in ensuring that we are taking every possible precaution to keep our school community safe and well.

Should my child be tested for COVID-19?

A letter has been issued from Public Health England to give further advice for parents to support them in making a decision about whether their child should be tested for COVID-19.  This advice is summarised in the graphics below:

Protective measures risk assessment

For more detail about the measures that the school is putting into place to provide a safe environment for the children, safe and parents, please see the Protective Measures Risk Assessment below.  This document has been contributed to by staff and governors, and is reviewed in Senior Leadership Team meetings on a weekly basis.  This document is a dynamic risk assessment, and will be updated in line with the changing national and local situation and guidance.