St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 1

Reopening of St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School – from 1st June, 2020

Tuesday 26th May, 2020

Dear Parents,

Following a lengthy planning process and discussions with the Governing Body and Local Authority, I am writing to inform you of the plan for St

Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School reopening from 1st June. As you will appreciate, there has been much to consider in planning for the reopening,

as we are a small school with limits on building size and staffing capacity. We are also waiting for the Government announcement on Thursday

28th May, as to whether the ‘five tests’ have been met, which will decide if schools will definitely be reopening from next week.

From 1st June, we will continue to be open for children of key worker and vulnerable children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2, where parents advised

us of their eligibility prior to the closure of the school. We have been open for these children since schools closed on 20th March and we will

continue to offer provision for children who meet these criteria.

For the first phase of our reopening, we will also be offering school places for children in Early Years Foundation Stage only at this stage.

Following an extensive review of our space, staffing and overall capacity, we are unable to take children back in Year 1 for the time being. I

realise that this may be a disappointment to some parents, but we will be reviewing the plans on a regular basis, so there may be an

opportunity to welcome back some Year 1 pupils at a later date.

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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Arrangements for reopening:

1. Children must not come to school if they (or anyone in their household) are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

2. Children in EYFS may attend on Monday/ Tuesday and Thursday/Friday. The start and end timings to the school day will be slightly

different to what it would usually be and you will be informed separately as to the times your child is requested to attend school.

3. Children of key workers in EYFS may attend every day if parents wish.

4. There is an option for parents to choose some or all of these days. However, we would ask that once you have chosen your required

days, that these are kept the same and not changed once we start back next week.

5. There will be a staggered drop off and pick up system, including a one way system for parents to follow. Parents need to drop their

child with their assigned ‘Bubble group’ adult and then exit the school premises.

6. Siblings should not come to the school to drop off/pick up unless there is no alternative. Only one parent should accompany their child

to school.

7. Children will be in ‘Bubble groups’ which will be the same group of children with the same adult. The learning will be planned by the

class teachers and delivered by staff in the Bubble groups.

8. We will be open for all key worker children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 only on a Wednesday to allow us time to ‘reset’ the environment

and ensure we are ready for the remainder of the week. Children of key workers in EYFS will be in the same Bubble group for the day

(as they are for the remainder of the week) with their assigned adult. They will not be mixing with key worker children in Years 1 and 2

to minimise cross contamination

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 3

9. Children will be provided with a packed lunch from our catering company. They will eat their lunches in their Bubble groups in the hall

(or outside if the weather allows). The catering company is not supplying drinks, so children must have their own water bottle in

school.

10. The children will have a daily playtime and lunchtime break as usual and this will be in their Bubble group.

11. The children will be wearing school uniform and will need their PE kit in school. We will not be able to lend PE kit or plimsolls

There is a comprehensive Risk Assessment to view below this letter, which details the control measures we will be implementing in school.

Please look at this carefully as there is a lot of information contained in the document.

The decision as to whether to send your child into school remains with you as parents. There will be no fines issued for non attendance at

school during this half term, as per DfE guidance.

However, parents should be mindful that there is no guarantee that decisions can be changed later on in the term. In line with government

and health and safety guidelines, we need to ensure that we keep the Bubble groups the same and we cannot allow for additional children to

join them.

If parents decide once the arrangements have started that they would actually prefer for their child not to be in school, then we will respect

this decision, but the children will not be able to return to school at a later date.

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 4

Parents of children in EYFS who have indicated that their child will definitely be returning:

If you have requested for your child to return to school, you will receive a separate communication from us, which will detail which Bubble

group your child is in, and who their assigned adult is. You will also be informed as to the start / finish time for your child. If you do not arrive

at the allocated time for drop off in the morning, then your child will not be able to come to school on that day.

Parents of children in EYFS who indicated that they were undecided or initially stated ‘no’ to their child returning to school:

If, after reading this letter and the associated Risk Assessment, you decide that you would definitely like your child to return to school, it is

imperative that you respond in writing to Mrs Peachey at info@stgiles.surrey.sch.uk by the end of the day on Friday 29th May. Requests made

after this time will not be accepted.

Mrs Tuttle will be planning the EYFS learning for all children, both in school and at home. The home learning for Year 1 and Year 2 will

continue to be planned by Ms Genyigit and Miss Mutch. Children from Year 1 and Year 2 who are attending school under the key worker

criterion will complete the learning in school.

I hope this letter is clear and explains the process that we are following at this time to ensure the safe reopening of St Giles’. However, please

do contact me if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,

Headteacher Mr D Pioli – Chair of Governors for St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 5

Please find attached a ‘protective measures’ risk assessment for St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant school that has been prepared in

response to the Government’s phased return plans.

It should be used alongside the government guidance below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-

and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-

opening-from-1-june-2020/opening-schools-for-more-children-and-young-people-initial-planning-framework-for-schools-

in-england

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-

settings-about-covid-19 - DfE and PHE (2020) ‘COVID-19: guidance for educational settings’

https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/ - The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/659/contents/made - The Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities -

Public Health England (PHE) (2017) ‘Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities’

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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Risk

rating

prior

to

action

H/M/L

Recommended controls/Mitigation and Protective Measures In place?

Yes/No

By whom? Monitoring

Deadline

Risk rating

following action

H/M/L

Awareness of

and adherence

to policies and

procedures

H Health and Safety Policy has been updated in light of the

COVID-19 advice

All staff, pupils and volunteers are aware of all relevant policies

and procedures including, but not limited to, the following:

- Health and Safety Policy

- Infection Control Policy

- First Aid Policy

- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy including

COVID-19 amendment

All staff have regard to all relevant guidance and legislation

including, but not limited to, the following:

- The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013

- The Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010

- Public Health England (PHE) (2017) ‘Health protection

in schools and other childcare facilities’

Policies being reviewed and updated – 19.5.20 Awaiting some updates from Surrey Email sent 19.5.20

NA/EM/CP Staff to confirm in writing to NA

29.5.20 29.5.20

L

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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- DfE and PHE (2020) ‘COVID-19: guidance for

educational settings’

The relevant staff receive any necessary training that helps

minimise the spread of infection, e.g. infection control training.

The school keeps up-to-date with advice issued by, but not

limited to, the following:

- DfE; NHS; Department of Health and Social Care; PHE

Staff are made aware of the school’s infection control

procedures in relation to coronavirus via email

Parents are made aware of the school’s infection control procedures in relation to coronavirus via letter and school website– they are informed that they must not send their child to school if the child develops coronavirus symptoms or if another household member develops coronavirus symptoms. In both these circumstances the parents/carers should call the school to inform the school of this and that they will be following the national Stay at Home guidance.

Pupils are made aware of the school’s infection control

procedures in relation to coronavirus and are informed that

they must tell a member of staff if they begin to feel unwell;

The Staff and Volunteer Confidentiality Policy and Pupil Confidentiality Policy are followed at all times – this includes withholding the names of staff, volunteers and pupils with either confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus.

Letter and information to be sent Government decision on whether the five tests have been met will be announced on 28.5.20

NA

27.5.20

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 8

Implementing

social distancing

H Small class groups, are organised as described in the ‘class or group sizes’ in DfE guidelines;

Classrooms and other learning environments are organised to maintain space between seats and desks where possible;

The timetable is revised to implement where possible,:

o Plan for lessons or activities which limit movement between areas;

o Maximum number of lessons or classroom activities which could take place outdoors

o Assemblies in ‘bubble groups’

o Break times (including lunch) are staggered so that all children are not moving around the school at the same time

o Drop-off and collection times are staggered

o Parents’ drop-off and pick-up protocols are planned so that they minimise adult to adult contact through a ‘one way traffic system’

o Small groups of children are together throughout the day and avoid mixing with larger groups of children;

o No whole school assemblies

o Parents will leave school premises immediately once they have dropped off / picked up their child

Plan in place to show the timetable for the day

NA/CP/EM Risk assessment and plan for day to be shared with parents by 27.5.20 Details to be included in letter on 27.5.20

M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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Unnecessary items are removed from classrooms and other learning environments where there is space to store it elsewhere

Soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean (such as those with intricate parts) are removed

Cohorts are kept together where possible and children and young people are in the same small groups at all times each day, and different groups are not mixed during the day, or on subsequent days;

The same teacher(s) and other staff are assigned to each group and, as far as possible, these stay the same during the day and on subsequent days

Children and young people use the same classroom or area of a setting throughout the day, with a thorough cleaning of the rooms at the end of the day. Children are seated at the same desk with their own pencil case / own

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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resources

Mixing within education setting is minimised by: o accessing rooms directly from outside where

possible; o keeping groups apart as they move through the

setting where spaces are accessed by corridors (eg staggered entry into the hall)

o staggering lunch breaks and playtimes o Children clean their hands beforehand and enter in

the groups they are already in or children are brought their lunch in their classrooms

o The number of children using the toilet at any one time is limited. Each ‘bubble group’ will have access to their own toilets

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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The hall will only be in use for staggered lunchtime and there will be cleaning between use by different groups

The use of staff room and office is staggered to limit occupancy. There will be one assigned Admin team member in the school office each day

Hygiene practice

H The COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings guidance is followed

Sufficient handwashing facilities are available. Hand sanitisers are provided in all classrooms and other learning environments. We also have two hand sanitiser ‘stations’ located outdoors. We also have antibacterial (with alcohol) wipes and sprays for surfaces

Surfaces that children and young people are touching, such as toys, books, desks, chairs, doors, sinks, toilets, light switches, bannisters are cleaned more regularly than normal with antibacterial wipes and spray

Door handles are sprayed wiped down at frequent intervals throughout the day

All adults and children are told to:

o frequently wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry thoroughly;

o clean their hands on arrival at school, before and after eating, and after sneezing or coughing;

o are encouraged not to touch their mouth, eyes and nose

Yes All staff Ongoing throughout the day

L/M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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o use a tissue or elbow to cough or sneeze and use bins for tissue waste (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’)

Help is available for children and young people who have trouble cleaning their hands independently

Young children are encouraged to learn and practise these habits through games, songs and repetition and adult role modelling

Bins for tissues are emptied throughout the day

School has provided all pupils with their own new pencil case and associated resources including their own small white board. Therefore, the use of shared resources such as stationery and other equipment is limited. Equipment is disinfected where this is not possible

Play equipment is cleaned between uses and not used simultaneously by different groups

The amount of shared resources that are taken and brought in from home is limited

All spaces are well ventilated using natural ventilation (opening windows) or ventilation units where possible

Doors are propped open, where safe to do so (bearing in mind fire safety and safeguarding), to limit use of door handles and aid ventilation

Posters are displayed throughout the school reminding pupils

to wash their hands, e.g. before entering and leaving the school

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

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Pupils wash their hands with soap/ sanitiser before and after

break times and lunchtimes for no less than 20 seconds

Additional alcohol-based sanitiser (that contains no less than

60 percent alcohol) is provided for use where social distancing

cannot be adhered to

Infection control procedures are adhered to as much as

possible in accordance with the DfE and PHE’s guidance

Sufficient amounts of soap (or hand sanitiser where

applicable), clean water, paper towels and waste disposal bins

are supplied in all toilets and kitchen areas

Bar soap is not used, in line with the Infection Control Policy –

liquid soap dispensers are installed and used instead

Pupils are supervised by staff when washing their hands to

ensure it is done correctly, where necessary

Pupils do not share cutlery, cups or food – food served at school

is a packed lunch in disposable containers

Any utensils are thoroughly cleaned before and after use in a

dishwasher

Cleaners are employed by the school to carry out daily,

thorough cleaning that follows national guidance and is

compliant with the COSHH Policy and the Health and Safety

Policy (Solo Cleaning company)

The SBM arranges enhanced cleaning to be undertaken where required – advice about enhanced cleaning protocols is

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 14

sought from the local health team. Schools short of cleaning product supplies, should email DfE-CovidEnquiries.COMMERCIAL@education.gov.uk

PPE (Protective, Personal Equipment)

H School has a large amount of masks and gloves in school which are easily accessible

Staff have their own personal pack of PPE including sanitising spray, masks and gloves should this be required

In place CP lead Constant monitoring of stock and purchase new as required

L

Ill Health

H Staff are informed of the symptoms of possible coronavirus

infection, e.g. a cough, difficulty in breathing, high temperature

and/or loss of taste or smell and are kept up-to-date with

national guidance about the signs, symptoms and transmission

of coronavirus

Any pupil who displays signs of being unwell is immediately

referred to the designated member of staff

Staff act in line with the Infection Control Policy and ensure

that any unwell pupils are moved to an empty room whilst they

wait for their parent to collect them

Pupils displaying symptoms of coronavirus do not come in to

contact with other pupils and as few staff as possible, whilst

still ensuring the pupil is safe

The relevant member of staff calls for emergency assistance

immediately if the pupil’s symptoms worsen

Awaiting Surrey Infection control policy

NA/CP lead Ongoing monitoring Detail to parents about this in letter

M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 15

The parents of an unwell pupil are informed as soon as possible

of the situation by a relevant member of staff.

Where contact with a pupil’s parents cannot be made,

appropriate procedures are followed in accordance with those

outlined in governmental guidance and the Infection Control

Policy.

Unwell pupils who are waiting to go home are kept in an area

where they can be at least two metres away from others.

Areas used by unwell pupils who need to go home are

thoroughly cleaned once vacated.

If unwell pupils are waiting to go home, they are instructed to

use different toilets to the rest of the school to minimise the

spread of infection.

Parents are advised to contact 999 if their child becomes

seriously ill or their life is at risk

Any medication given to ease the unwell individual’s symptoms, e.g. paracetamol, is administered in accordance with the Administering Medications Policy

Spread of infection

H Spillages of bodily fluids, e.g. respiratory and nasal discharges,

are cleaned up immediately in line with the Infection Control

Policy and Cleaning in non-healthcare settings guidance

Yes All staff NA/ EM and CP to monitor each day

M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 16

Pupils are instructed to cough or sneeze into their elbow and

use a tissue to cover their mouths where possible, disposing of

the tissue in waste disposal units

Pupils clean their hands after they have coughed or sneezed

Parents are informed via letter not to bring their children to

school or on the school premises if they show signs of being

unwell and believe they have been exposed to coronavirus

Children who have displayed symptoms of coronavirus must

self-isolate for 14 days before returning to school. Pupils queue

2 metres apart at entrances and exits to avoid risks of

transmission

Management of infectious diseases

H Staff are vigilant and report concerns about a pupil’s symptoms

to the designated member of staff

The school is consistent in its approach to the management of

suspected and confirmed cases of coronavirus

Social distancing measures are implemented as much as

possible

There are plans in place for the movement of children around

the school (as above)

The timetable is adapted to stagger play and lunch times (as

above)

The SBM monitors the cleaning standards of school cleaning contractors and discusses any additional measures required with regards to managing the spread of coronavirus

Yes NA/EM/CP Ongoing monitoring

M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 17

Administering of First Aid

H Staff will wear gloves when administering simple first aid

procedures (cuts, bumps and grazes)

Hands will be washed using anti bacterial spray after the

administration of First Aid

First Aid incidents will be recorded in log book (as per usual

protocol)

Where possible, First Aid will be administered outside

Yes All staff NA/EM/CP to monitor procedure. Restock gloves if needed

M

Parental Engagement

H Parents are told their allocated drop off and collection times and the process for doing so, including protocols for minimising adult to adult contact (for example, which entrance to use and following the one way system)

Parents are told that they cannot gather at entrance gates or doors, or enter the site, unless they have a pre-arranged appointment, which should be conducted within the guidelines

Siblings or other relatives should not accompany parents at drop off / pick up unless there is no alternative

Yes NA Reminders to parents of protocols in weekly updates

L

Communication

H Children, young people, parents, carers or any visitors, such as

suppliers, are told not to enter the education or childcare

setting if they are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus

(following the COVID-19: guidance for households with

possible coronavirus infection

Area Schools Officer- Ann Panton

NA Ongoing L

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 18

The designated member of staff reports immediately to the

headteacher about any cases of suspected coronavirus, even if

they are unsure

The headteacher contacts the Area Schools Officer

immediately about any suspected cases of coronavirus, even if

they are unsure, and discusses if any further action needs to be

taken; there is also the option to call the Department of

Education Schools helpline

Schools contact their Area Schools Officer if there are any

specific recommendations for their school

Schools keep pupils and parents adequately updated about any changes to infection control procedures as necessary

There is early communication with contractors and suppliers that will need to prepare to support your plans for opening for example, cleaning, catering, food supplies, hygiene suppliers

Cleaning contractors or staff are briefed on the additional cleaning requirements and agree additional hours to allow for this

Partial school closure

H The school communicates with parents via letter/email

regarding any updates to school procedures which are affected

by the coronavirus pandemic

Letter to parents

NA 26.5.20 L

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 19

Pupils working from home are assigned work to complete to a

timeframe set by their teacher

The headteacher maintains their plan for pupils’ continued

education during partial school closure to ensure there is

minimal disruption to pupils’ learning – this includes their plan

to monitor pupils’ learning while not in school

The Behavioural Policy and Staff Code of Conduct are adhered

to at all times, even while working remotely

The headteacher ensures all pupils have access to schoolwork

and the necessary reading materials at home

The headteacher works with the ICT Lead to ensure that all

technology used is accessible to all pupils – alternative

arrangements are put in place where required and hard copies

are distributed if needed

The school manages the use of parents’ and pupils’ contact

details in line with the Data Protection Policy and Records

Management Policy, e.g. collecting emails to send schoolwork

to pupils

The headteacher liaises with other schools to find pupils a

temporary place at a different school where their usual school

has to close

The headteacher accepts pupils from other schools where necessary and if possible, to help children access essential education during the coronavirus pandemic

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 20

Emergencies

H All pupils’ emergency contact details are up-to-date, including

alternative emergency contact details, where required

Pupils’ parents are contacted as soon as practicable in the

event of an emergency

Pupils’ alternative contacts are called where their primary

emergency contact cannot be contacted

The school has an up-to-date First Aid Policy in place which outlines the management of medical emergencies – medical emergencies are managed in line with this policy

Yes – in place on SIMS

Office team to ensure all contact details are up to date and amend SIMS if there are any changes immediately

CP to monitor and check this weekly

L

Travelling to and from school

L Parents, children and young people are encouraged to walk or cycle to their education setting where possible

Parking on the road will have consideration for social distancing guidelines once parents exit their vehicles

Parents only to bring their child to school

Advised in parent letter

NA 27.5.20 L

Visitors to school

H Where possible, meetings with visitors will take place outside unless there is a confidential need to be indoors

Visitors to school will be limited, apart from exceptional circumstances

Volunteers will not come into school to hear reading or do other activities with the children

Contractors will only be asked to come to school where it is deemed necessary or in an emergency

Yes

NA 27.5.20 L

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

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pg. 21

Contractors will sign in to the Visitors book outside on the playground

They will carry out their assigned duties outside where possible or will only work in their designated area in the school building away from groups of children

Any work that needs to take place in a designated learning space, will be carried out during out of school hours.

In the event of a building emergency, school will close while the work is carried out

Any visitors will be asked to declare that they are not symptomatic and have not been in the past 14 days

Safeguarding H School will take a daily register for those pupils in school, with attendance recorded on our MIS system

Attendance will continue to be submitted to the DFE as required

Where pupils are not in school, school will contact those parents at least once a week

Class teachers will continue to complete their contact logs each week and submit to the Headteacher for monitoring. Where teachers have not heard from parents, a welfare check will be conducted (telephone, email or doorstep visit)

Food box deliveries will continue for identified pupils not in school – doorstep deliveries

In place NA Ongoing M

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 22

Where staff have concerns about a pupil, the usual school procedures will be followed (as per Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy)

Premises and site

H Review all building related systems including:

o Hot and cold water systems (including tanks, sinks, basins) o Gas safety o Fire safety o Kitchen equipment o Security including access control and alarm systems o Ventilation o Lighting – internal and external

See guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-school-premises-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/managing-school-premises-which-are-partially-open-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Site walk – 21.5.20

CP and NA 1.6.20 L

Fire drills H There will be at least one fire drill each half term. There will be markers to indicate where children should line up in their bubble groups to ensure social distancing. These markers will also be used to line up on the playground after break times.

Agreed where children will be positioned in Bubble groups.

CP and NA 28.5.20 L

Critically vulnerable pupils

H As per DfE guidance, children who are in the ‘critically vulnerable’ category are advised not to attend school.

Yes – email and other contact

NA Ongoing L

St Giles’ C of E (A) Infant School School Reopening letter to Parents and Risk Assessment

May 2020

pg. 23

from parents

Exit and entry points to the school

H Bubble group 1 will enter through main door /exit via Thrive room external door

Bubble group 2 will enter through front door/exit via left hand side passage

Bubble group 3 will enter through front door /exit via right hand side passage

Yes – markers clearly indicate which direction to go in. children will be led by key adult from Bubble group.

NA and CP Ongoing L – no pupils are entering/exiting across same areas