Purley Oaks Covid-19 Risk Assessment September 2021

Dear parents and carers,

I trust you all had a lovely summer holiday and are looking forward to school reopening on Monday 6th September. Staff have been working hard to prepare the school and learning for the children’s return and we are all very excited to get started.

The DfE has released updated guidance for us to use to revise our Covid plans for September. Many restrictions have been lifted and changes made over the last two months which we have reflected in our risk assessment (see below).

The main changes are as follows:

  • Suspension of the one-way system in the playgrounds
  • Those who are double vaccinated and are close contacts of someone who tests positive do not need to isolate
  • Our children who are close contacts of someone who tests positive do not need to self-isolate
  • Classes will need to self-isolate if five or more people test positive within a ten-day period
  • Children will eat packed lunches in the dining hall – we do encourage you to opt for school dinners as research has shown that a cooked lunch enhances children’s learning in the afternoons

Routines which will remain in place for the present:

  • Regular handwashing and/or use of hand sanitiser
  • Rooms to be well ventilated
  • Children in ground floor classrooms can enter their classes from 8.30am
  • Children in first floor classrooms will line up with their teachers from 8.30am on the main playground
  • Cones will be placed on the main playground (as before) to ensure the safety of children and staff especially at the end of the day

Last term we trialled children attending school in their PE kits for sports days. This was very successful – it saved a lot of time since no one needed to change and it also ensured that there was no lost property. We have decided to continue with this practice. Therefore, children will be expected to wear their PE kits to school on the days that they have PE lessons. We will inform you of these days soon. Children are allowed to wear blue or black tracksuit bottoms over their PE shorts especially in colder weather. They can also wear their school jumpers and cardigans. Please note that this does not apply to Year 4 swimming lessons.

As we are living through an evolving situation, our plans are subject to change at short notice.

Over the last two years we have worked closely together to ensure our children have stayed safe and continued to learn. I am sure that our collective determination will ensure that our children will thrive during this upcoming year.

I appreciate your continued support.

Mr R J Griffin

Headteacher

Purley Oaks Covid-19 Risk Assessment September 2021

Education Setting Flowcharts September 2021