Stockport Council has issued a statement to its Councillors as schools in the borough prepare for the return to the classroom at the start of the new academic year in September.
The statement, published below, details measures schools are taking to ensure they are safe for staff and pupils. The Department for Education yesterday updated its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools, recommending them for secondary school age pupils in communal areas such as corridors, but not in classrooms.
The statement from Stockport Council reads as follows:
In Stockport the term starts, for the vast majority of schools, on 1st September 2020.
All schools are using the first day of term as a preparation day where only the staff are in attendance.
Five of our high schools are taking an additional day with their staff teams to prepare for the start of term. The rest are opening with children in attendance on Wednesday 2nd September.
All high schools in Stockport are beginning by bringing Year 7 into school on their first day of opening. Some are also inviting their oldest pupils into school at the same time whilst others are welcoming Year 7 as an exclusive year group that day. All schools (for whom term has started) are gradually introducing all year groups throughout the rest of that week. All but two schools are hoping to have seen all cohorts by Friday 4th September and these schools will be fully operational to all children on Monday 7th September. The remaining two schools will be fully operational by Wednesday 9th September. It should be noted that the term for one of these schools does not begin until Monday 7th September.
Primary schools are also generally beginning with a staggered start. All schools are using the first day of term to prepare exclusively with their staff teams. Some schools are also taking up to two more days to continue this process. Some schools are bringing all cohorts into school on their first day with children, but most are staggering this process, using various patterns of introduction. Most schools intend to have all their children in school by Monday 7th September. There are some exceptions where the staggered start for Reception children is planned to take a little longer.
Irrespective of the timetable for opening, schools in Stockport have worked tirelessly to prepare the site and their staff for a safe re-opening. Many schools have adjusted the timings of the start of the day for different cohorts and have put in place detailed plans to ensure the children enter and leave the building using all available exits to reduce congestion at the beginning and the end of the day. Many schools have put in place one way systems.
In some schools, children are being restricted to certain parts of the site, both within the building and for arrangements at break times, to help the school protect the integrity of the ‘bubbles’ they have established. Arrangements for lunchtime vary, with some schools providing hot food in the dining room, whilst others are asking children to eat in the classrooms, some with hot food, some with cold grab bags. Hand sanitation is in place and schools have worked hard to develop additional cleaning routines. Schools have provided detailed information to parents about the equipment that children can bring and the expectations they have for children’s conduct on their return.
Schools have communicated clear messages about social distancing and have explained to parents/carers the optimal ways that they can keep in touch with their child’s school whilst limiting the amount of face to face contact with staff (e.g.: using class dojo, changes to payment systems etc). Many schools have also asked families to ensure that only one adult accompanies their child to school. At the same time, schools are also working hard to actively welcome their children. Many have provided guidance to parents/carers and children about activities that can be done to prepare for the start of term and some have provided virtual tours/video clips for children to see the changes that have been made. Many have also prepared their communities that a partial closure may be necessary in the future, but messages have reassured families that this decision will not be taken lightly and will be taken in line with Public Health guidance.
The intention in Stockport is clearly that all children will be welcomed back into school and schools will do their utmost to provide a high quality service irrespective of what the term brings.