Corona Virus (COVID-19) Advice and developments

Sections on this page: 

• Will school swimming continue now the Liverpool City Region has been placed in Tier 3? 12.10.20
• Letter to Parents from Steve Reddy and Matt Ashton (Director of Public Health) 6.10.20
• School Swimming Lesson Risk Assessment COVID 19- see above
• Public Health England letter of guidance to parents 23/09/20 - see above
• Letter from Matthew Ashton Director of Public Health 15/09/20
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19? (Last updated 26.8.20)What should I do if my child develops symptoms of COVID-19?
• What should I do if my child develops symptoms of COVID-19? (Updated 18.9.20) 
• What are bubbles? (Last updated 18.9.20) 
• Will my child need to wear their school uniform in September? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will the Breakfast club be running in September? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will after school clubs be running in the Autumn term? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will there be staggered start and finish times? (Last updated 18.9.20)
• Can you look after siblings who start at a later time / finish earlier etc? (Last updated 26.8.20)
• I need to drop my child off earlier than their bubble’s start time, can they wait somewhere until their bubble starts? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will parents be allowed on the playground? (26.8.20)
• How will classrooms be laid out? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Does my child need to bring a packed lunch or will hot school meals be provided? (Last updated 15.7.20)
• What will the curriculum be like when the children return in the Autumn term? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Which days will my child have PE and what should they wear? (Last updated 26.8.20)
• Where will my child store their coat? (Last updated 4.8.20)
• Can my child bring a bag to school? (Last updated 4.8.20)
• Can my child bring a mobile phone to school? (4.8.20)
• Will residential visits take place this year? (For example Colomendy) (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will Year 4 still have ukulele lessons as in previous years? (Last updated 13.7.20)
• Will all year groups swim as in previous years? (Last updated 2.10.20)
• Will school accept letters or cash payments? (Last updated 15.7.20)
• What should my child bring into school? (Last updated 15.7.20)
• Music tuition arrangements: Choir, Guitar, Keyboard, Samba, Drums, Flute, Singing, Violin (Last updated 20.7.20)

 

Will school swimming continue now the Liverpool City Region has been placed in Tier 3?

 

When the closure of public sports centres was announced by the Prime minister yesterday the school contacted the local authority to see if school swimming lessons would continue. We are still waiting to hear back from the local authority. We will let you know when we know more. 

 

Letter from Matthew Ashton Director of Public Health 15/09/20  

 

Dear parents, 

Today I received the following email regarding Face Coverings:

 

Essential use of face coverings

 

Dear Head teacher, levels of COVID-19 in Liverpool are high and increasing every day - we need to take urgent action. 

It is now essential that parents and carers in Liverpool wear face coverings when collecting and dropping off their children at school.  Those who refuse or cannot wear face coverings should maintain social distancing of at least 2m from children and other parents/ carers.

 

We thank you in advance for ensuring greater levels of safety in your school and our communities.

 

Many thanks,

 

Matt

 

Matthew Ashton

Director of Public Health

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

 

What are the symptoms of COVID19 Coronavirus? 

• High temperature / fever (37.8 degrees) 

• New continuous cough

• Breathing difficulties 

• Loss of sense of smell / taste

 

The NHS also state that “Trust your instincts” with children - if you suspect a problem get in touch with the NHS via telephone on 111, or 999 for more serious issues.  

 

What should I do if my child develops symptoms of COVID-19? 

Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19, or whose household member develops symptoms, should immediately self-isolate. They should not attend school and should follow the steps below:

• Please contact the school of your child's absence by phoning school.
• Stay at home: The person with symptoms should isolate for 10 days starting from the first day of their symptoms and the rest of the household for 14 days. 
• You should arrange for your child should get tested via NHS UK or by contacting NHS 119 by telephone. 
• If there is a delay in the laboratory diagnosis:
  • Your child should stay at home for 10 days. 
  • Siblings from the same household who attend school should stay at home for 14 days. 
  • Any other household contacts should self isolate for 14 days. 

 

What will school be like when the children return in September? 

 

In this section we will try and answer some commonly asked questions. We will add to this section as more information becomes available or themes emerge. 

 

What are bubbles? 

Bubbles are groups of children who are kept together to support track and trace. At Gilmour Juniors we have year group bubbles. 

 

Will my child need to wear their school uniform in September?

 

Yes, when we return children will need to wear their school uniform. Depending on the weather they may choose to wear either their Summer or Winter uniform. Details of our school uniform can be found here:

Insert link

 

Will the Breakfast club be running in September? 

 

Parents should plan for the fact that the breakfast club will not be operational in September or in the Autumn term. If the breakfast club were to return, its capacity would likely be reduced from what it previously was. Having a place at Breakfast club previously would not guarantee a place if Breakfast club were to reopen. 

 

Will after school clubs be running in the Autumn term? 

 

No, there will not be any after school clubs running in September or the Autumn term. 

 

Will there be staggered start and finish times? 

 

Yes, in order that we can maintain the bubble structure it will be necessary for classes to arrive and leave at different points throughout the day. So that we can enable social distancing and keep everyone as safe as possible, we ask that only one parent drops off / collects their child. 

Dropping off and Picking up arrangements until and including 25th September 2020

 

Dropping off and Picking up arrangements from Monday 2nd November 2020

Will there be staggered play and lunch times? 

 

Yes, in order that bubbles can be kept distanced children will have staggered play and lunch times.

 

Can you look after siblings who start at a later time / finish earlier etc?

 

No, this won’t be possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

I need to drop my child off earlier than their bubble’s start time, can they wait somewhere until their bubble starts? 

 

No, this won’t be possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. 

 

Will parents be allowed on the playground?

 

No, parents will not be allowed onto the playground. We know that this is change and we are sorry as we know that, as parents, saying goodbye and giving that kiss and a wave is really important. But it is a step we need to take to keep everyone safe.

 

How will classrooms be laid out? 

 

Department for Education guidance is that classes are set out in rows with children facing the front. 

 

Does my child need to bring a packed lunch or will hot school meals be provided? 

 

From September we plan to resume our hot school meals service. The cost for a school dinner is £2 per day. Payment will only be accepted via the school Eduspot platform, due to COVID 19 we are unable to accept cash. 

Children who wish to stay packed lunch can do so as usual. Lunches can be brought into school in a lunch box or bag, this does not need to be disposable. 

 

What will the curriculum be like when the children return in the Autumn term? 

 

We will shortly post further details of what the curriculum will look like for each year group. In designing the curriculum for the children’s return we have considered research that focussed on the impact of school closure on children’s learning. We shall shortly post a link to a webinar given by Doctor Lisa Maria Muller from the Chartered College of Teaching. 

 

In the first half term emphasis will be placed on English, Maths and outdoor activity. Children will also study Science, Art, RE, PHSE and History. This approach is to support the children in covering curriculum content that they have not covered due to COVID 19. We will review our curricula foci over the course of the first half term and review the subject balance for the second part of the Autumn term.  

 

Which days will my child have PE and what should they wear?

 

Your child will have PE on the following days, see the table below. To minimise the need to bring equipment into school we are asking that children come to school wearing their PE kit with a tracksuit over the top. This is because, when possible, PE will take place outside. Children will need both trainers (For outside use) and pumps for indoor sessions. Pumps can be left in school. 

Children will wear their tracksuits / PE kits for the remainder of the day. Children are to wear tracksuits and not sports leggings etc. 

PE will start for all children on Monday 7th September. Children in Year 3 coming to school on 3rd and 4th of September should wear school uniform as there will not be PE on those days. 

 

 

Where will my child store their coat etc?

 

We are excited to announce that over the Summer holidays we have had lockers installed. The lockers are easier for the containment of belongings and are not for security. Whilst the lockers close, they do not lock. Children will not be allowed to bring in locks for their lockers. 

Children will be allocated a locker when they return to school. 

 

Can my child bring a bag to school? 

 

Your child shouldn’t really need to bring a bag to school as all stationery your child needs will be provided. If your child does need to bring a bag it must be a small bag able to fit in their locker. Children will not be allowed to store items on top of their locker. 

 

Can my child bring their mobile phone to school? 

 

No, children are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school under any circumstances. Any child found with a mobile phone will have this confiscated and only returned to a responsible adult.

 

Will residential visits take place this year? (For example Colomendy)

 

Government advice is against any residential visits.

 

Will Year 4 still have ukulele lessons as in previous years? 

 

No, these will not take place.

 

Will all year groups swim as in previous years? 

 

This year only two year groups will swim. These year groups will be Year 5 and Year 6. 

On Friday 9th October Year 5 will begin swimming lessons. The order will be: 

 

 

Will school accept letters or cash payments?

No, we will be unable to accept letters or cash payments. We ask that all correspondence be sent via email to the school admin account: 

admin@gilmourjuniors.com 

 

What should my child bring into school?

 

Your should not bring a pencil case or any stationery into school. We will provide any stationery your child needs.

 

 

Music tuition arrangements: Choir, Guitar, Keyboard, Samba, Drums, Flute, Violin, Singing

Due to COVID-19 and the requirement for children to remain in "bubbles" it will not be possible for the above tuition to take place as it normally would. Below are details of arrangements put in place by the music tutors: 

 

Guitar with Chris Vernon: 

Chris has arranged online tuition, please see details on the leaflet below. 

 

Choir

Awaiting details 

 

Keyboard, Flute, Singing, Ukulele, Violin 

Cerys is continuing with the above lessons online. 
Places are limited so it’s a first come, first serve basis. 
Her number is 07799 743150. 

 

Samba

Samba drumming will not be able to take place. 

 

Drums 

Awaiting details