Coronavirus Updates

If you have any further queries, we are contactable by phone 01303 255516 and by email kperkins@st-eanswythes.kent.sch.uk

Return To School (September 2020)

In accordance with Government directives, all children will be based in their own class bubble. They will only be mixing with children from their own class and at times with their buddy’s class too. Children from different bubbles will not mix. In order to maintain the integrity of these groups we have introduced staggered start and finish times to the school day, and are using all three entrances to enter and leave the school building.

As parents, you will need to commit to being on time to both drop off and collect your child/children. If you are late for any reason then you will need to wait with your child (socially distancing from other parents/carers and children) until the last group has entered the building and then bring your child to reception after 9am.

A member of staff from their bubble will meet your child outside the school. Parents will not be allowed to enter the school during drop off and collection times. This is to reduce the number of people on the school site in the interest of infection control. As children arrive in school, there will be a hygiene station. All children will be required to sanitise their hands before they enter the school.

The following additional actions will be taken to further minimise risk and contact with other children.

1. Staggered lunch and playtimes so that they only play with children in their group
2. Hand washing before and after each activity
3. Separate toilets and hand washing stations
4. In addition to the normal daily cleaning at the school regular ‘deep’ cleans have been booked. Also door handles, bannisters and other shared surfaces will be regularly cleaned.
5. There will be no ‘mass’ gatherings during the school day – worship will happen in class groups

Parents should come into the school building only when strictly necessary. We are contactable by phone 01303 255516 and by email kperkins@st-eanswythes.kent.sch.uk

If you do need to come to the school office we are only allowing three people in the front entrance at a time and you must queue at least 2m apart from each other. Lines are marked to support you with these distancing measures.

Finally, please ensure that whilst waiting to collect/drop of your child you are socially distancing from other parents and children.

When To Test & Self-Isolate?

• You should only book a test if someone in your home has any of these three coronavirus symptoms:

1. a high temperature: any new high temperature where you or anyone in your home feels hot to touch on their chest or back (you do not need to measure the temperature)
2. a new continuous cough: coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
3. a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal

• A test is not required if someone in your home has a runny nose, are sneezing or feeling unwell but do not have a temperature, cough or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste because these are not normally symptoms of coronavirus.
• If you are unsure about whether to get a test, please check the official list of symptoms on the NHS website, which is reviewed regularly: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
• Only the person with symptoms should get a test. You do not need to get a test for anyone else in the household unless they also have any of the three symptoms listed above. All members of the household need to self-isolate whilst waiting for the test result.
• If the person with symptoms’ test comes back positive, other members of their household should continue self-isolating for 14 days and only get a test if they develop coronavirus symptoms.
• If a pupil in a class or bubble tests positive for coronavirus, anyone who is advised to self-isolate does not require a test unless they subsequently develop symptoms.

No one else in the same class or bubble as the symptomatic person needs to take any action unless advised by the school. Schools have detailed guidance and access to a Department for Education and Public Health England helpline for advice and support.

Contacts of a person who has tested positive must follow the guidance carefully and in full, which means they must stay at home for 14 days. This is because it can take several days following contact with an infected person before an individual develops symptoms or the virus can be detected.

In the event of a child returning to school due to a negative test result, the result must be sent to admin@st-eanswythes.kent.sch.uk before they return.

www.gov.uk: closure of educational settings – information for parents and carers

What Should My Child Bring / Not Bring To School?

We are limiting items travelling between home and school. However, children will need to bring a bottle of water as the water fountains are turned off. They may also bring in a packed lunch box if they do not want a school meal. Children will need to bring their reading books and P.E. kits and can bring a small bag or book bag. Nothing else is required from home, including all soft toys.

Please note children will need to wear full school uniform, including caps, berets and blazers.

Home Learning

We have added a new ‘Home Learning’ section, with links to each of the year groups – you will find the relevant home learning advice, homework grids, suggested timeframes and many other varied online learning resources.