Attendance expectations
In March, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was increasing, the Government made clear no parent would be penalised or sanctioned for their child’s non-attendance at school.
Now the circumstances have changed, it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise, as far as possible, the longer-term impact of the pandemic on children’s education, wellbeing and wider development.
Missing out on more time in the classroom risks pupils falling further behind. Those with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well in both primary and secondary school. School attendance will therefore be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term. This means from that point, the usual rules on school attendance will apply, including:
- parents’ duty to insure their child regularly attends school where the child is a registered pupil at school and they are of compulsory school age
- schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
- the availability to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices in line with local authorities’ codes of conduct. Term time holidays will not be permitted, as in line with our policy.
Lunchtimes
Children in Reception will eat first in the hall and then go outside. The tables will be cleaned thoroughly.
Key Stage 1 will then eat in their class groups in the hall, socially distanced from other classes.
Key Stage 2 will eat in their classrooms.
Hot meals will be available as normal.
School Uniform
We will now return to our usual uniform policy. Uniform can play a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. Uniforms do not need to be cleaned any more often than usual, nor do they need to be cleaned using methods which are different from normal. Children will require their normal PE kits.
School Equipment
As normal, children will be provided with all the equipment they need for school. They do not need to bring any other equipment from home.
Children will just need to bring:
- suitable clothing for the weather
- lunches (if not school meals)
- water bottle (clearly named to reduce any confusion)
- PE kits on the days they have PE
Reading Books
Reading remains a crucial part of our curriculum and daily life in school. We are introducing a new reading system in school. Once initial work has been completed with the children, a levelled book will be sent home. Until this is completed your child will be able to choose a book to read, where appropriate. We will also be providing the children with access to a vast online library of books. Further information about this will follow shortly.
Please could we ask that you double check at home for any school reading material. We are relabelling and restructuring our whole school collection and we have vast numbers of books missing. We would really appreciate any lost books being returned as soon as possible.
Visitors in school
We will be limiting the number of visitors to the school site, so please contact us by phone or email if you have any queries and need to speak to a member of staff.
First Aid & illness
If your child hurts themselves whilst at school, staff will encourage them to self- help where appropriate but if they need support with this, staff from their own bubble will assist or if other staff are needed from another bubble they will wear protective equipment.
If your child feels unwell at school or if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, they will be removed from the class ‘bubble’ and you will be asked to collect them immediately from the main school office. You will then be advised to follow Government and Public Health Guidelines and asked to inform us of the outcomes.
If your child or any one in your household has any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, they must not attend the school and you should inform us as quickly as possible of the reason for their absence:
- high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If your child is absent for any other reason, you must inform us on the first day of absence and provide reasons for your child’s absence. You can notify us by leaving a phone message (01522 702669) or via email: enquiries@saxilby.lincs.sch.uk
Personal care
Children will have access to the toilet/washrooms when needed (one child in the washroom at a time).
Children will be reminded to regularly to wash their hands. Sanitizers have been provided and will be available in each class and at the entrance/exit points. Staff will supervise the use and storage of sanitizer. Children DO NOT need to bring their own sanitizers.
Break times and lunch times will be staggered and children will remain in their class ‘bubbles’ and will not mix with other children during these times.
If a child needs assistance with toileting, support will be provided.
As we continue to find our way in this new world, we are keen to encourage our whole community to support the risk assessment processes and actioning our changes. If there is anything you can add to this process or any questions you would like to ask please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff.