COVID-19 - Measures in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the School community

In order to reassure the School and wider School community, detailed below is our current procedures and arrangements in place to ensure we are adhering to the COVID-19 safety measures: 

We are currently creating a bubble with year 7 together and year 8 and 9 together. This is to minimise as much as we are able the possibility of transfer of infection between year groups. In order to maximise contact in a safe manner we have set up a buddy system so that students can communicate between year groups through writing. We are also planning a life skills day with webcams so that year groups can meet and take part in competitions between classes. 

The School timetable has been written to avoid mixing of group bubbles and where possible, students stay in their form rooms and teachers rotate rooms to avoid contact in the corridors.

Each “bubble” has a different break and lunch location to again avoid the mixing of groups within the School site. A second eating area has been set up for year 7 so that students from different year group bubbles are kept separate for lunch and surfaces in the canteen are cleaned between each year group bubble.

Any books or equipment that need to be shared are either left for 72 hours or cleaned with anti-viral cleaner between usage.

Wellbeing

We are very aware that this is a stressful time for students and are making sure that the atmosphere of the school is happy and calm. We are planning two off timetable events this half term focusing on life-skills and growth mindset and plan to have a lot of fun with these events. We have also increased the lunchbreak and have put an extra afternoon break in for year 7 so that they have more access to the main playground. Our very popular outdoor learning sessions each week focus on orientation skills, connecting with nature and healthy exercise.  

Social Distancing

Social distancing is in place for Staff and Visitors around the School site.  There are signs for students around the school to remind them of safe distancing where possible.

Face coverings

Staff continue to wear their face masks when they are in communal areas or working in close contact with students, all staff have been trained in the safe removal and storage of masks. Students are supported to wear masks if they choose to do so, but we recognise that this is not suitable for some students.

Hand Washing and Sanitising

We are fortunate to have sinks in every classroom and students wash hands on arrival and at the end of the school day. Students are supported to sanitise their hands on arriving and leaving a classroom, also on return form break and lunch. 

Hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed in all classrooms, toilet areas and communal areas. Pupils are reminded to use these when entering any of these areas. 

Cleaning arrangements

Signage highlights the need for handwashing and sanitising throughout the School.

Thorough cleaning takes place each and every evening after school of all areas using antiviral cleaning products which have been approved as COVID-19 virus killing product.

Every classroom has been provided with antiviral wipes which meet the EN14476 standard.  Rooms such as our IT suites, teaching assistants requested to use a wipe to clean the keyboards and mouse prior to use.

We have a team of cleaners on-site throughout the day, cleaning continually common touchpoints such as door plates, handles, rails etc.

A ‘fogger’ is used particularly in areas with difficult to clean equipment.

Around the School

The School is well ventilated with doors and windows being kept open where possible.  There will be a careful balance between ventilation and heating going forwards.