Schools revise plans to ease pupils' return
By Rob Freeman | 26th August 2020
Pupils will return to schools across Gloucestershire next week with a few new lessons to be learned about daily life.
More than 18,000 children attended schools during the summer term with further changes ahead of welcoming back more pupils for the start of the new year.
Among the changes to help ensure safety are:
- Using bubbles, usually classes or year groups, to reduce contact between children.
- Not holding assemblies with one-way systems, staggered start/end times and play times.
- All schools will increase handwashing, cleaning and ventilation.
- Buses will only serve one school at a time and Gloucestershire County Council will supply all children receiving free school transport with two washable face coverings.
- Schools have been given advice on the steps to take if they suspect a child or member of staff is showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Schools have risk assessed plans and will keep them under constant review as children return to ensure measures are working well.
Most schools will publish their risk assessment on their website to reassure parents of the measures they are taking.
Gloucestershire County Council said it is supporting schools and working to ensure anyone struggling with returning receives the help they need, including support to catch up on missed learning, returning to a structured environment and responding to increased anxiety and mental health issues.
Councillor Patrick Molyneux, cabinet member for education, economy and skills, said: "Schools have worked really hard to ensure all children in the county can safely return to school.
"As a council, we have supported schools to to be ready for September.
"We're supplying face coverings for children who need them on public transport, extra support for children and young people struggling with their mental health and help and advice to schools and headteachers.
"All of this combined will provide a safe environment for children to get back to learning. If your child is anxious in any way please speak to your school - they will work with you to ease those anxieties and enable your child to return successfully."
Parents of children who use public transport are being encouraged to find alternative transport with any schools supporting cycling or walking as an alternative.
Related Articles
Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.