Ysgol Penmorfa, Prestatyn

Risk-Assessment-for-Covid-2020-ratified-19.06.2020-updated-27.10.2020

Return to School for Key stage 2

As per guidance from the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, we look forward to the return of our Key stage 2 pupils on Monday 15^th March 2021.  Please see the table below for details.

Your child’s safety and wellbeing are our priority and we have received the guidance required to help us to for the reopening of Key stage 2. We are delighted to have agreed our initial plans and considerations prioritising the wellbeing of learners, staff and families to plan an approach that is right for our community.

When we open fully on Monday

Arrangements during the school day

• Pupils will be split into contact groups within their year group.
• Each contact group will have their own classroom space for the day they attend school and any mixing with other groups will be minimised.

• Classrooms will be organised to maximise the distance between pupils.
• We will insist on regular handwashing and hand sanitising throughout the day.
• Uniform will be compulsory.

Behaviour

The normal school rules and expectations on behaviour and conduct will apply.

• Any pupil not following the social distancing rules will be removed from school and parents will be contacted to collect their child.

Breaktime and lunch times

• Breaktimes and lunchtimes will be staggered so that each contact group has their own space. Pupils from other contact groups will not mix during these times.
• The school kitchen staff will provide meals for anyone who wants one (for the usual charge). Orders for food will be placed earlier in the day.

COVID -19

• If your child, or any members of your household, display any symptoms of Covid-19 they MUST NOT attend school.
• If a pupil does develop symptoms they will be isolated immediately and we will insist on them to be picked up as soon as possible.
• We will not be taking pupil’s temperatures on arrival as the science shows that many children with coronavirus are asymptomatic.
• PPE has not been advised in schools except when administering first aid and for our cleaners. It might be that some pupils and staff choose to wear facemasks.
• It is important that the school holds up-to-date contact numbers for all children so please contact school with any new contact numbers before your child attends.
• If a child soils themselves it may be necessary to contact a parent/carer to collect them to reduce the risk of infection.

Please note that all children will have staggered start and finish times initially to keep everyone safe.  We will return to normal start and finish times as soon as we can.

Monday 15^th March 2021  All pupils will go into their own classes.

Attendance

• Attendance at school will be compulsory for all children unless they have a medical/health reason to do so and have a shielding letter.
• Pupils must not arrive at school any earlier or later than the time slot allocated.
• All pupils will have a designated entry and exit point into and out of school.

No adults can accompany pupils into school. Only school staff and pupils will be allowed in the school building and parents and pupils must maintain social distancing when on the school site. Parents may be asked to leave the school site if they are unable to maintain appropriate social distancing.

As all pupils will be expected to return to school the emergency hub will end. Breakfast and After School facilities will resume after the Easter break depending on demand.  Please email your details if you will require an after school or early breakfast provision. This will initially only be provided for parents who are at work.

Mrs Davies, Headteacher

DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE:

Information on schools reopening in Denbighshire

Face to face learning will resume for foundation phase pupils in Denbighshire from Wednesday, February 24th at the earliest.

This follows the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that pupils aged between aged 3 and 7 will return to face to face learning.

The Council is reassuring parents and carers that school re-openings will be subject to all necessary safety measures being in place, supported by Welsh Government and in line with their operational guidance.

Schools in the county closed on 16th December and have remained open for online learning as well as face to face learning for the children of critical workers and vulnerable learners.

This provision continues for all who are eligible.

Free school meals and school transport will be available for all eligible pupils from February 24, as soon as schools reopen.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “The Welsh Government has announced that due to lower community transmission rates of COVID-19, that schools can re-open to foundation phase pupils.

“Following this announcement we have spoken with all primary schools and agreed face to face education will resume across the county for eligible pupils.

“This has been a difficult period for pupils, parents and staff and we want to reassure parents and carers that schools will continue to implement rigorous hygiene measures as well as ensure all regulations and guidance on pupils’ safety is followed.

“I would again like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their support during what has been a hugely challenging time and the communities they support and work in.”

Denbighshire will work closely with Public Health Wales and NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect to review case levels prior to school reopening.

Parents and carers are being reminded to adhere to social distancing measures when dropping off or collecting your child from school.

For more information please contact your child’s school.