Dear Parents & Carers

Earlier this week we learned that the government is asking schools to begin to re-open for three year groups (Reception, Year 1 and Year 6) from the 1st June. We have begun to make plans for this gradual restart to make sure that whilst welcoming some children back to school we do so in a way which is safe for children, their families and for staff.

The government advice to parents and carers about the proposed restart is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/reopening-schools-and-other-educational-settings-from-1-june . Please read it carefully.

Children will return to school and be taught in half-class groups of 15 children with one teacher and one teaching assistant per group. They will have their own classroom and will not mix with other groups at all to prevent the possible spread of infection; this will include break-times and lunchtimes. Staff will also stay with their group and not mix with other groups which means that some returning children will not have their previous teacher.

In class children will have their own place and teaching will necessarily be more formal, with no group work or sharing of equipment. Frequent hand-washing will continue as previously.

Each group will have separate routes into school and there will be staggered start and finish times for all groups with start times ranging from 8.45 to 9.30 and finish times ranging from 2.45 to 3.30. Owls Club will not be re-opening at this time and there will be no before or after school care.

Despite the procedures described above children will still be sharing the toilet facilities that we have in school and, particularly with the younger children, we cannot guarantee that they will remain 2m apart.

Parents and carers are advised not to travel to school on public transport or to car share and to avoid congregating outside school at drop-off and pick-up times.

For now I am asking parents (if you have children in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6) to let us know whether you currently intend to send your child back to school in June. This doesn’t need to be a firm commitment and can be changed at any time but knowing your current intentions will help us plan more effectively.

As part of your decision-making please consider the need to shield any vulnerable family members in the home.

Please would you email the class email address (reception@hollinsgrundy.com, year1@hollinsgrundy.com, year6@hollinsgrundy.com) with definitely will return, definitely will not return or not sure if they will return. A response by 12.00 noon on Monday 20th May would be very helpful.

Many thanks

Mr Waddington