Will contact tracing be in place at school?
The government has developed a national test and trace programme. This will play an important role in helping to minimise the spread of coronavirus in the future.
We ask that you let the school know at the earliest opportunity if your child or a member of their household becomes ill or shows any symptoms of coronavirus. This includes children in school and children learning from home.
Track and Trace App
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#the-nhs-coronavirus-app
Can children be tested for the virus?
Yes. We advise all children to be tested regularly (twice weekly if they are attending school.)
Your Invitation to attend for a Rapid Result COVID-19 Test
I would like to invite you to attend for a rapid result COVID-19 test at our new Community Testing site at Kingston University. This testing is for anyone who is part of the primary school community in Kingston and who doesn’t have coronavirus symptoms.
The test takes about 10 minutes and provides a result in 30 minutes. Details of this testing offer are: Rapid result testing for primary school community members at the new Community Testing Site: Address: Kingston University, Main Building, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 2EE Dates: from 02/01/21.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ARRANGE A RAPID RESULTS TEST.
Remote education provision:
Information for parents - Frequently asked questions:
This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents or carers about what to expect from remote education if local restrictions require entire cohorts (or bubbles) to remain at home.
The remote curriculum: what is taught to pupils at home
We will teach the same curriculum remotely as we would teach in school wherever possible and appropriate.
Remote teaching and study time each day
How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?
We expect that remote education (including remote teaching and independent work) will take pupils broadly the following number of hours each day:
Average of 3 hours a day across the school cohort. This will be less for younger children and more for older children.
Accessing remote education
How will my child access any online remote education you are providing?
Online learning will be via Google Classroom with the links to other remote learning sites and can be accessed via a laptop or computer.
If my child does not have digital or online access at home, how will you support them to access remote education?
We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. We work closely with parents and carers to support their child or children to access remote learning if they are unable to access digital or online access at home.
How will my child be taught remotely?
We use a combination of the following approaches to teach pupils remotely:
Across the school, some of these include the following:-
Please note that the approaches will vary depending on the age groups and the classes they are in.
Engagement and feedback
What are your expectations for my child’s engagement and the support that we as parents and carers should provide at home?
How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns?
Children will be engaging with their class teacher or teaching assistant via Google Classroom. If a teacher has any concerns about a child then in the first instance they will contact the parents and more regular follow up calls may be put in place.
How will you assess my child’s work and progress?
Feedback can take many forms and may not always mean extensive written comments for individual children. For example, whole-class feedback or quizzes marked automatically via digital platforms are also valid and effective methods, amongst many others. Personalised feedback will happen at least weekly and this may be via a phone call or digital/email response.
Additional support for pupils with particular needs
How will you work with me to help my child who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?
We recognise that some pupils, for example some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home. We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families, and we will work with parents and carers to support those pupils in the following ways:
We will adapt learning to suit the needs of the SEND child. The Inclusion Leader will liaise closely with the class teacher and monitor the learning and interaction of SEND children.
What are the arrangements for drop-off and pick-up?
Drop off will be between 8.55 and pick up will be at 3.00 pm.
We kindly ask that parents leave their children at the school gate when they drop off in the mornings. There will be a lining up system in place along the alleyway next to the Fairfield to allow for social distancing.
At pick up time we are asking parents to wait in the playground for their children (maintaining a distance from others). We will continue to operate the entry and exit gate system which we set up last term and we will be asking parents and carers to vacate the premises quickly with their children. Parents should wear masks for drop off and when picking up children.
There will not be the opportunity to talk to teachers at pick up time so please contact the school office via email if you have any queries for your class teacher.
What steps are being taken to prevent potential spread of Covid-19 in school?
A comprehensive Risk Assessment has been undertaken. This Risk Assessment is reviewed regularly and will be updated in light of any further guidance from the Government.
Our steps include:
Two classes only will be in a bubble.
Support staff will be allocated to certain bubbles.
Social distancing of at least 2m between children and staff wherever possible.
Key Stages will be isolated in separate wings of the building
Toilets and handwashing facilities will be allocated to each Key Stage.
Individual named water bottles
Where possible, activities will be undertaken outside or in well ventilated classrooms.
No sharing of equipment
Regular handwashing
Extensive cleaning
One way system around the school and at drop-off and pick-up.
Will the School Office be open?
The office will be staffed, but we are maintaining an “adult free site” wherever possible.
Parents should phone or email the office. If absolutely necessary, parents may speak with the office via the intercom at the front door.
What happens if someone develops Covid-19 symptoms at school?
If anyone becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature they are sent home/their parents or carer are contacted to collect them. They will be told to get a test and will be advised to follow the Staying at Home advice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
If a pupil is awaiting collection, they are moved to the front meeting room where they can be isolated in a comfortable environment and with appropriate adult supervision if required.
Where possible, a window is opened for ventilation.
If the pupil needs direct personal care until they can return home, a fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
If contact with the pupil is necessary, then disposable gloves, a disposable apron and a fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. If a risk assessment determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protection should also be worn ( full mask that covers the eyes).
If they need to go to the bathroom while waiting to be collected, they use a separate bathroom where possible. The bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.
The school will call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk.
Cleaning with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left reduces the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
Covid-19 Catch up Funding 2020- 21
The Government has allocated per pupil funding which means the school will get a total of £15,600 spread over 3 terms. At St Joseph’s, we have carefully analysed the areas where most support is needed across the school. Key areas of catch - up spending include:-
25% contribution to National Tutoring Programme ( 12 hours a week of teacher support)
Staff costs for additional hours of TA support (10 hours per week)
Additional 2 hours per week for EAL support.
Additional on-line learning resources across the school.
Staff training on wellbeing to support the school’s Wellbeing Strategy.
Assessment and close monitoring of children’s progress across the school will take place to ensure that additional interventions and support are having a positive impact on children’s learning and wellbeing.
Department for Education helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education.
Parents and young people can contact the helpline on:
Telephone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
8.00a.m.-6.00p.m. Monday to Friday
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public