If there is a positive COVID case during the Christmas holidays parents will receive text message from school advising them to self isolate and what the period of self isolation would be. This is different from when school is open when we may text but also make contact via a phone call.
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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:
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.
Bubbles are groups of children who are kept together to support track and trace. At Gilmour Juniors we have year group bubbles.
Gilmour Junior School is committed to ensuring the safety of the pupils and staff and seeking to minimise the disruption to the pupils as far as possible. We recognise that when children have to isolate this has a significant impact on them and their parents and carers. Where isolating is required our aim is to ensure that this affects the minimum number of pupils and staff members at the school.
When a year bubble needs to isolate due to a positive COVID case this is often very disruptive for pupils and parents and understandably the school is asked whether it would be possible for the bubbles to be smaller. For example class bubbles. The decision to have year group bubbles is based upon an assessment of a number of factors.
It is not always the case that the year group as a whole needs to isolate depending upon the circumstances surrounding the positive test - where possible isolation has been limited to individual classes.
Available space, layout of available space, facilities (particularly toilets) and staffing considerations are all relevant to determining bubble size. The timetable of the school day for each class must also be factored into any decision.
Space on the playground - to maintain social distancing and allow appropriate space for children to play our conclusion is that a maximum of two class or year? bubbles could fit in the playground space at any one time. This capacity is however reduced due to there being only one set of toilets accessible from the playground. Therefore we can only have one year bubble on the playground due to toilet access.
Staffing - the school employs and deploys staff according to need. Reducing bubble sizes would increase the number of separate morning and afternoon breaks and lunchtimes. With 11 classes across the year groups, we do not have sufficient staffing to provide the required and safe level of supervision for children at playtimes and dinner times whilst also ensuring that colleagues had appropriate breaks across the day.
Additionally there are timetable implications for have 11 separate breaks and lunchtimes.
Is this picture likely to change?
No, as it currently stands year group bubbles are the smallest bubbles we are able to achieve.
The Department for Education and Public Health England recommend that toilets are cleaned five times daily. This recommendation is adhered to as a minimum. We have a member of our cleaning team on site all day as a result the toilets are generally cleaned more frequently than the recommended minimum.
Will the Breakfast club re-open?
This is our long term plan though there has not been a date identified as to when this may be. 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.
No, there will not be any after school clubs running in September or the Autumn term.
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 from Monday 9th November 2020
Class | Drop off Time | Collection Time | Drop off / collection point |
---|---|---|---|
3G | 8.55am | 3.25pm | Duncombe Road North (Drop off point) / Main entrance (Collection point) |
3K and 3P | 8.55am | 3.25pm | Duncombe Road North |
4B | 8.35am | 3.05pm | Duncombe Road North (Drop off point) / Main entrance (Collection point) |
4T and 4M | 8.35am | 3.05pm | Duncombe Road North |
5T and 5W | 8.35am | 3.05pm | Berners Road |
5S | 8.35am | 3.05pm | Berners Road (Drop off) / Domestic Science exit (Pick up) |
6S | 8.55am | 3.25pm | Berners Road |
6M | 8.55am | 3.25pm | Berners Road (Drop off) / Domestic Science exit (Pick up) |
Yes, in order that bubbles can be kept distanced children will have staggered play and lunch times.
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.
Year Group | PE Day |
---|---|
Year 3 | Thursday afternoon |
Year 4 |
Wednesday afternoon (Classes 4T and 4M) Friday afternoon (Class 4B) |
Year 5 |
Monday afternoon (Classes 5T and 5S) Thursday morning (Class 5W) |
Year 6 | Tuesday afternoon |
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.
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:
Class | Lesson time |
5S | 9.30am |
5W | 10am |
5T | 10.30am |
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:
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:
Chris has arranged online tuition, please see details on the leaflet below.
Awaiting details
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 drumming will not be able to take place.
Awaiting details