COVID-19 Information

During this time of uncertainty, as we follow Government and Local Authority advice we will be regularly updating this page with information and guidance as and when it becomes available. Please see information here to support you and your child returning to school through the full reopening when the Government advises it is safe to do so. We have been working hard to assess the safety of our plans, the well being of children and staff,  plus amend and adapt risk assessments and procedures as necessary. At this stage, we welcome you to look over our plans so we can all work together to keep children, staff and the wider community safe.

Government Guidance for Schools and Parents

Returning to primary school: what parents need to know

When the time comes to re-open schools we will do everything we can to ensure your children are safe and happy at school.   This is the latest Government advice: School is the best place for children to learn and for their overall wellbeing. It gives them a routine and helps them develop their social skills. They also get to see their friends and teachers. It is vital that all children return to school as soon as safely possible. Attendance will be mandatory again from the return date set by Government (when this date is given).  Is it safe for my child to return to school? Public Health England (PHE) is clear that the risk of catching coronavirus (COVID-19) is low if schools apply a system of stringent controls to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. This includes regular handwashing and cleaning measures. We are advising schools and parents to make sure that anyone with symptoms does not attend. The chance of children becoming severely ill from the virus is also very low.   Do children transmit coronavirus (COVID-19) more than adults? No. Children are no more likely to transmit the virus than adults. In fact, there is reasonable evidence that primary school age children have a significantly lower rate of infection than adults, although this is not yet conclusive.   Will my child be expected to socially distance in primary school? We understand that young children find it hard to socially distance. To reduce risk, we are currently advising primary schools to create small groups, or ‘bubbles’, of children, with no mixing between bubbles. We realise some siblings are likely to be in different bubbles. However, we know that it still helps to reduce risk by keeping groups as separate as possible in school.   What should I do if my child or someone in my household has symptoms? It’s important that if your child (or anyone in their household) has any coronavirus (COVID-!() symptoms, they do not attend school and stay at home. You should arrange for them to get a test and tell your school the test results. This will help the NHS Test and Trace process. If you have a positive test result, your household should remain at home and follow the Test and Trace self-isolation guidance.   What happens if there is an outbreak in my child’s school or my local area? If there is an outbreak at the school, local health protection teams will work with the school to agree what action is needed. Usually, the school will not need to close fully, but in case it does need to close for some children, it will have a contingency plan in place so that your child’s education can continue.   Visit www.gov.uk/backtoschool for more information on returning to school safely.

Useful information about school reopening

What school might look like when it re-opens?

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classroom 3

classroom 2

Classroom 1 (2)

Strategies for parents for when the schools fully re-open

Novel Entertainment – the company behind the award-winning Horrid Henry TV series – has created a new animated Horrid Henry video aimed especially at children who may be going back to school, and for those who are not yet going back, to gently explain what their return to the classroom may look like. The film is introduced by Henry’s headmistress Miss Oddbod, and features all the regular kids and teachers. This video has been created with the Oxfordshire Virtual School, which covers 200 local schools, and Kindness Wave Oxfordshire.  

Additional Information on School Safety Measures

• Links

  • • • Home Learning
  • Lockdown Resources

While We Can't Hug - video about social distancing

Hedgehog and Tortoise want to give each other a great big hug, but they’re not allowed to touch. From the creators of the internationally adored The Hug, Eoin Mclaughlin and Polly Dunbar.

Sharing Worries

Supporting your child's well being when returning to school

Check in with them regularly and remind them that: It’s normal to feel scared – nerves actually help us prepare for challenges. It may take time for them to feel settled, and that’s OK. They might get things wrong as they get used to a new situation. They’ve coped with big changes in the past and can do it again. They can talk to you or someone at school if they’re worried.

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Everybody Worries Epdf Spring20 A picture book for children who are worried about Coronavirus en.calameo.com