September arrangements for keeping children safe
The Government guidance (updated 7th August) sets out an expectation that all children will return to school in September and provides guidance for schools to adhere to and manage when opening.
The guidance issued can be found in full here.
At Lamberhead Green we have been working hard on our plans for a full reopening ensuring that we put into place the right protective measures for children and staff, which also ensure that all pupils receive a high quality education that enables them to thrive and progress.
We want to do the BEST for our children and staff!
Keeping children safe
To keep children and staff safe, we have a framework of controls to put into place
Prevention:
• minimise contact with individuals who are unwell
• clean hands thoroughly and more often than usual
• ensure good respiratory hygiene - ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’
• enhanced cleaning
• minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible
• where necessary, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Response to any infection:
• engage with the NHS Test and Trace process
• manage confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst the school community
• contain any outbreak by following local health protection team advice
Before Your Child Leaves Home in The Morning
Please check for any of the following symptoms
• a high temperature;
• a new, continuous cough;
• a loss of, or change to the sense of smell or taste.
If any of these symptoms are evident do not send them to school, contact school on 01942768760 or email report@lamberheadgreen.org.uk
Minimising contact and maintaining distance
Children are not expected to distance from each other BUT to make it quicker and easier in the event of a positive case to identify those who may need to self-isolate, we are expected to restrict the number of children who have close contact with each other
We will group each year group into ‘bubbles’ which will remain consistent and separate from others.
For the majority of their time in school the children will be in their own class bubble with their own teacher and support staff, but at playtimes, lunchtimes and assembly times they will be separated into year groups
This means that we need to make changes to how children
• Enter school
• Have lunchtimes
• Leave school
Children or staff suspected of having COVID-19
What will happen if a child develops symptoms in school
In line with DfE guidance, in the case of a suspected infection the school will:
• engage with the NHS Test and Trace process. We ask that parents and staff inform the school immediately of the outcome of any test;
• manage confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst the school community.
• contain any outbreak by following local health protection team advice.
When a case is suspected in school, the child will be immediately isolated from other pupils and staff.
Staff supervising these children should also try to ensure they remain two metres away while still aiming to provide the reassurance and care particularly young children will need. Enhanced PPE is available for these staff and older children may be offered a mask.
The school will contact parents and request they collect their child from the school immediately.
We ask that parents whose child has been identified as having a suspected case of COVID-19 should seek immediate medical advice.
If no test is undertaken then we expect children to self-isolate according to the Public Health England guidance
