Covid-19 Information
We have now returned to school post lockdown. We are sure many parents will have questions and concerns about how schools are operating now that we are back, so below we have tried to answer questions based on the latest government guidelines and how Woodford Valley CE Primary is operating within these. These are accurate on the date of publishing (7th September 2020) but are subject to change as the government updates its guidance.
Returning to school in September
School is going to look and feel a little different for the children. Classrooms will be set out so that children are in rows, facing their teachers. Teachers will be maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible. Children will now be in class bubbles so that we can minimise the contact between the children across the school. We will be asking them to clean their hands thoroughly, more often than usual, and we will be promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach for used tissues to ensure that we prevent the transmission of the virus.
Each class will have their own playtime area and playtimes and lunchtimes will be staggered. Children who have packed lunches will eat in their own classroom and children having hot dinners will be eat in the hall, but again they will stay in their own class bubble. PE sessions will take place outside so please ensure that your child has suitable PE kit for outdoor PE from the start of the term.
Please can children not bring in their own stationery from home. We are going to give each pupil their own stationery packs so that they will have everything they need to work in their classes.
We will send reading books home but it might be that the children do not get as many sent home as they would previously, as the books will have to be ‘isolated’ on return. If you are able to support the staff in this and read other books that you have at home if your child finishes their school book, that would be great.
We will continue to have worship in school via school radio and other technology.
Some children may feel anxious when returning to school, and staff will work through focused activities to support their classes in settling back in.
For your information, here is a link to government guidance with respect to children returning to school: What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term
Catching up with missed learning
The government has promised schools some money to help pupils catch up with any learning they have missed out on during the pandemic. We have no specific details about this yet but will update you when we do.
When children return to school in September, their teachers will assess their learning and design the class curriculum to support any areas in which the children need extra support.
Drop off
We will continue with the drop off system that we have been using since the return to school on 1st June. This has worked well and we thank you for all your support with this. We have now allocated time slots from September for drop offs so that the carpark does not become too congested with cars. Please keep to your slot so that we can keep a steady flow of traffic through the carpark in the mornings. Staff will be waiting for the children as they arrive and we ask that you do not get out of cars, but that the children have all their bags, coats etc with them ready so that they can jump out of the car when you arrive. The children will be guided straight to their classrooms where their teacher will be waiting for them.
Drop off times, based on surnames
A-G: 8.25 – 8.35am
H-O: 8.35 – 8.45am
P-Z: 8.45 – 8.55am
Lake Class (new reception pupils and siblings) drop off at 9am for the first two weeks and then please join the 8.45am group.
If you need to speak to your child’s class teacher, please send an email to Admin or Office and they will let the class teacher know that they need contact you.
The school bus will continue to run for those children who normally travel by bus. Children are not expected to wear masks. When arriving at school, they will be met by a member of staff and sent to their classes like everyone else. A member of staff will also take them to the bus at the end of the day.
Children can wear a mask if they want to, but we are not recommending the wearing of masks in school for this age group, following government guidelines.
Pick-up
To maintain the class bubbles separation, we will dismiss the children from the top field. Key Stage 1 pupils will finish at 3pm: Lake Class will exit from the first gate, Lower Woodford from the middle gate and Netton from the far end gate. Once you have collected your child, unless you are waiting for a sibling in KS2, we ask if you can leave promptly so that parents in KS2 can park. KS2 pupils will be dismissed at 3.15pm: Wilsford will exit from the first gate, Durnford from the middle gate and Upper Woodford and Salterton from the far end gate.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, please email the school office, and we will try to keep this webpage regularly updated with answers.
