In line with the government guidance from the start of this academic year (September 2020); attendance will once again be compulsory.
There are three key principles that underpin our plans for all students to return to school in September. We aim to:
- Ensure that students continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum so that their learning and the opportunities available to them are not diminished;
- Minimise the risk to staff and students by implementing a wide range of measures, which when used together act to minimise the risk as much as is practicably possible;
- Encourage staff and students to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of the entire community by following the practices put in place.
In general, the students will be operating in year group ‘bubbles’ across Year 7 to 11; the Sixth Form College are one “bubble”. The students within a “bubble” will be kept separate from each other in lessons and during their social time where possible.
Provided below is an overview of the information required by parents.
At Salesian these measures include:
- a one-way system during transition between lessons
- year group “bubbles” with separate social spaces
- staggered break and end of the day
- forward facing tables in classrooms (where possible)
- hand sanitiser at every entrance and in every classroom to be used on entrance/exit
- encouraging regular hand washing
- enhanced cleaning routines
As of Wed 9 September the following rules will apply:
- Students travelling to and from school on public transport or the D&P coaches should wear face coverings throughout their journey.
- Students will be allowed to wear a face covering anywhere on site should they feel it necessary.
- Students must remove their face covering without question if asked to do so by a member of staff (this will only ever be done where social distancing can be maintained).
- Any face covering worn by students must be the ‘mask’ type; scarves and snoods will not be allowed. They should be plain in colour (blue, black, white, grey or beige).
We have a very limited supply of face masks and in general we will not be in a position to provide one for your child. If your child wishes to wear a face covering, it is your responsibility to provide it for them and ensure they have it with them in school each day.
As per the guidance the “Safe wearing of face coverings requires cleaning of hands before and after touching – including to remove or put them on – and the safe storage of them in individual, sealable plastic bags between use. Where a face covering becomes damp, it should not be worn and the face covering should be replaced carefully “. Although we will discuss this with students it will be their responsibility to ensure any face covering they choose to wear is done so safely – staff will not be expected to supervise them in carrying out their responsibilities safely in this respect. If your child is intending on wearing a face covering to, from or in school, please ensure that they know how to put on, remove, store and dispose of it safely.This short video talks through the importance of wearing it correctly. Your child will not be able to wear their face covering all day and will therefore need to have a suitable storage container with them (eg. plastic bag, tupper wear box). They will not be able to dispose of the face coverings in school and should instead take them home.
As per the guidance, if the local area is placed under additional lockdown measures, the wearing of face coverings in communal areas such as corridors will become compulsory. If this happens we will inform all parents and students.
The school cannot take responsibility for students wearing face coverings incorrectly or not wearing them on public transport / the D&P coaches. Please ensure your child understands the importance of wearing one and how to wear it correctly so that they can take responsibility for it themselves –this short video talks through the importance of wearing it correctly.
Year 7 – Sports Hall Foyer
Year 8 – Canteen
Year 9 – Hub
Year 10 – Main Hall
Year 11 – Year 11 Cloakroom
In order to spread the flow of students leaving school we are implementing three measures:
- Installing a new gate on the back field to allow the students to exit directly onto the public footpath; this will give students a choice of two exits (this gate will not be open at the start of the day);
- All students will be expected to leave the site at the end of the day except if they are asked to stay for a specific reason and are supervised by a member of staff;
- Staggered end times; please make a note of the time your child will finish school each day:
- 3.15pm – Year 7 & 8
- 3.20pm – Year 9 & 10
- 3.25pm – Year 11, 12 & 13
Most of the classrooms will be arranged so that all students are facing forwards.
Please ensure your child has the following equipment with them every day:
- Black / blue pen
- Pencil
- Rubber
- Ruler
- Pencil Sharpener
- Highlighter
- Glue stick
- Scientific Calculator
- PE kit (required on timetabled days)
It is common practice for students to be given break and/or lunch time detentions by staff for minor behavioural issues such as lateness, incorrect equipment, talking out of turn etc. Teachers will aim to hold the detention the ‘next day’ unless your child indicates that they are happy to do it on the ‘same day’. If your child always arrives on time with the correct equipment and uniform and behaves well then this won’t be an issue.