FAQs and Risk Assessment

 

1) What are the rules for wearing face masks in and around school?

Students must wear a face mask if they are travelling by bus. All students must wear face masks when they enter the school grounds as they will be mixing with other year group bubbles. They must try to maintain a safe distance of at least one metre from other year group bubbles wherever possible. Students walking around the school, whether external or internal must wear face masks at all times. Students must for the time being also wear face masks inside their classrooms.

2) Why can't my child wear gloves for school?

Students can wear gloves to and from school but once they are on the premises gloves must be disposed of to reduce contamination risk. It would be easier for students not to wear gloves as all students will have to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser once they enter the premises anyway. Gloves on site would be more of a hindrance than a help as they are only effective if changed regularly and current guidance from the government is more concerned with regular hand washing as one of the measures that should be practiced to reduce infection spread. Students will be routinely asked to wash or sanitise their hands at the start and end of every lesson as well as on entry into school first thing in the morning. Hand sanitiser will be provided in every classroom and hand sanitising stations will be clearly marked at all entry and exit points that are in use.

3) Will my child be able to get a hot meal at school?

Parents/guardians can either opt to have lunch supplied by our caterers Mellors, who will deliver pre-ordered a limited menu of hot and cold food/drinks to students classrooms or they can send their child to school with a packed lunch and drink. There will also be a delivered service at break time. If your child is eligible for free school meals this will be provided for them.  

4) What happens if my child becomes ill at school?

We will have a member of staff on call each day who will be fully equipped with PPE were necessary to care for your child. If your child is displaying COVID symptoms they will be kept in isolation until you collect your child from school and we will provide details of testing facilities that are in place so that you know if your child can return to school once they are better. Alternatively they can self isolate following the governments guidelines. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

5) Will we be checking temperatures of staff and students?

Parents, carers and settings do not need to take children’s temperatures every morning. Routine testing of an individual’s temperature is not a reliable method for identifying coronavirus. Educational settings should reiterate to parents the need to follow the standard national advice on the kind of symptoms to look out for that might be due to coronavirus, and where to get further advice.

6) Why can't students stay in one classroom each day?

This would be unworkable as each lesson has different students in it and each classes work is at different stages from the next. However we are isolating year groups from each other and they will stay within their year group bubbles at all times apart from walking into and out of school and during some change overs when we will supervise movement to ensure social distancing is maintained. We have also got hand sanitising facilities in each classroom as well as desk wipes which students will use at the start and end of each lesson. Disposable tissues will also be available in each classroom and we would ask that you send your child in with a good supply so that they can follow the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' approach. Each classroom will undergo thorough cleaning at the end of each day. Surfaces that are regularly touched such as door handles, hand rails will be disinfected before and after each movement of students and staff through the corridor/block they are working in.  

 

7) What happens to the rest of the school if a member of staff or student displays COVID symptoms or tests positive?

Where the student or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live within that group subsequently develops symptoms.

As part of the national test and trace programme, if other cases are detected within the cohort or in the wider setting, Public Health England’s local health protection teams will conduct a rapid investigation and will advise schools and other settings on the most appropriate action to take. In some cases a larger number of students may be asked to self-isolate at home as a precautionary measure – perhaps the whole class, site or year group. Where settings are observing guidance on infection prevention and control, which will reduce risk of transmission, closure of the whole setting will not generally be necessary.

8) Will students have PE lessons?

To enable PE lessons to go ahead we will ask students on the days they have it to come to school in their PE kits. This will remove the need to use changing rooms.  

Persons at Risk

School staff, students, contracted staff, parents, visitors.

 

Hazard

Existing Controls, Safe Work Procedures & Reference to Safe System of Work (Where applicable)

Risk Rating

Further Action

 

L

C

Total

Monitoring of Controls

1

Spread of virus in school via direct contact with infected person (staff member and student).

  • All staff have been briefed and know that they are not to attend work if felling unwell.
  • Staff who are classed as vulnerable may wish to seek medical advice from their GP before returning to work. Any staff who cannot return to keep in contact with their line manager at agreed times and intervals.
  • Parents of students who are classed as vulnerable should seek medical advice from their GP before they consider their child returning to school.
  • Parents instructed not to send children to school for 14 days if any member of their household is presenting with any of the following symptoms:
    • dry cough
    • sore throat
    • difficulty in breathing
    • tiredness
    • fever
    • loss of taste/smell
  • Staff and parents are reminded of the latest UK Government Guidance. https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Any staff or student who displays any fever symptom whilst at school will be required to isolate from others and staff will leave school immediately. Any students suspected of having COVID-19 will be isolated in the music practice room on the left as they enter the A block until a family member comes to collect them. They must then follow the latest isolation guidance. Mr. P. Cowley: STAFF DOCUMENTATION Please take a few moments to familiarise yoursel… 

posted in STAFF DOCUMENTATION/COVID at 16 Sep 2020 14:44

  • Entry to school is typically restricted to the students designated block with entrance points equipped with hand sanitiser facilities and signage posted around these areas to remind students and staff of the requirements in controlling the risk of COVID-19 infection spread. All staff, and visitors are required to hand sanitise on entering the school buildings. Students are to sanitise as they enter their classroom. Sanitiser is also available in every classroom. Students can use their own sanitiser but they must follow the same procedure. The class teacher should remind all students to sanitise on entry and exit from the classroom and observe them doing so.
  • Staff and students are asked to wash/sanitise their hands regularly throughout the day, typically upon entering the school premises or a classroom, before and after breaks, lunchtimes, end of day etc. Posters are installed in toilets to remind them of hand washing and how to do it effectively. Toilet signage indicates queuing zones and guide lines to avoid overcrowding in the cleaning areas.
  • All staff and students are to wear a face mask outside of the classroom and this is only to be removed if a student is eating their break/lunch outside whilst maintaining a 2m distance from others if possible but at least 1m.
  • Should any staff, student, parent, or visitor who recently attended school be diagnosed, or self-diagnoses with COVID-19, a thorough clean of the school areas they attended will be undertaken immediately. The confirmed case guidelines should be followed at this time. Mr. P. Cowley: STAFF DOCUMENTATION Please take a few moments to familiarise yoursel… posted in STAFF DOCUMENTATION/COVID at 16 Sep 2020 14:44
  • Staff and students instructed to sneeze or cough into a tissue which is then disposed of in a bin or if no tissue is to hand then to sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow. Staff and students to then immediately wash their hands.
  • Students queue at least 1 metre apart using the floor markers on external walkways, at entrances and exits to reduce risk of transmission. Signage at these points reminding students and staff of the need to keep at least 1 metre apart whenever possible. This will be supervised by members of staff and the SLT including when students first coming onto site, change over periods and students leaving the site.
  • Staffrooms and working areas will have a maximum occupancy and this is displayed on doors.
  • SLT to review government guidance regarding control measures such as the introduction of temperature screening measures and update the risk assessment if there is a change, e.g. use of a non-contact Infrared thermometer in school for all persons entering school premises.

2

5

10

 

All staff provided with procedural flow-chart to follow if infection detected on the premises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If an infected person attends school the site supervising staff will follow the government guidance to ensure all potentially infected areas are disinfected thoroughly including smoke fogging.

 

 

Staff have been issued with a guide including a list of do’s and don’ts and have been instructed to follow the SLAM technique to ensure they are aware of the risks and are working to minimise the risk at all times.

 

2

Spread of virus via direct contact with contaminated surface.

  • Hand wash/sanitiser facilities are available throughout the school, at all entrances, in each classroom, and offices. 
  • Staff and visitors are required to use hand sanitiser on entry to the school with students sanitizing on entry into their classroom.
  • Staff and students are instructed to wash/sanitise their hands regularly throughout the day, typically before and after breaks, lunchtimes, end of day etc. Posters are installed throughout school to remind them of hand washing.
  • All staff have access to suitable sanitising equipment (wipes and sprays) which are to be used to wipe down classrooms, work areas and equipment at the end of each period.
  • Sanitizing of all shared resources in the school such as teaching equipment, IT equipment and learning aids at the end of each lesson. Resources that are shared between bubbles, such as PE and art equipment will be cleaned meticulously under the supervision of the class teacher at the end of the lesson and the resources will also be cleaned by students at the start of the next lesson. Where  possible, PE and art equipment will be rotated to allow them to be left unused and out of reach for 48 hours (72 hours for plastics) between use by different bubbles. Otherwise meticulous cleaning between lessons falling within this period of time will take place before the equipment is used again.   Students will be supervised to wipe down their desks and backs of chairs with a sterilizing spray, staff will ensure their workspace and all equipment has been sanitized. Site staff will as a minimum ensure all used classrooms surfaces undergo a thorough clean at the end of the school day.
  • Students have been placed in 'year group' bubbles to enable the school to offer a full curriculum. Interaction between other years groups is minimised as far as is reasonably practicable.
  • School cleaners clean and sanitise all school areas, refreshment areas, wash stations and toilet facilities at the end of each day.
  • Staff and students instructed to sneeze or cough into a tissue which is then disposed of in a bin or if no tissue is to hand then to sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow. Staff and students to then immediately wash their hands.
  • All staff and students are to wear a face mask outside of the classroom and this is only to be removed if a student is eating their break/lunch outside whilst maintaining a 2m distance if possible or at least 1m from others.
  • Staff and students are discouraged in bringing in any additional items from home into the school environment unless these are necessary and are appropriately sanitised before being distributed.
  • Students are to bring in a snack for break, a packed lunch and enough water to last for the full day. Alternatively, parents can order food from our caterers and this will be delivered to the students’ bubbles at the start of break/lunch.
  • Students will only eat their break in the classroom they have their third lesson in. They will eat their lunch in the classroom they have their tutor period in. All surfaces will be wiped down by the students using disinfectant wipes/sprays by their class teacher before they go to their next lesson. Alternatively, if the weather is ok students can eat their break or lunch in their designated outside space within their year group bubble.
  • Seating plans must be adhered to by all students and they must stay seated to ensure they maintain a 2 metre distance from their teacher.
  • All PE facilities will be available and on dry days students should go outside for their lesson’s wherever possible. However, as only the Y11 students have access to the changing rooms, other year groups will be required to come to school in their PE kit on the days that they have PE. On wet days this will mean that students will have to do their PE lessons in the sports hall, gym or in a classroom as we cannot have students sitting in wet clothes. All rooms will need to be well ventilated and this is the responsibility of the class teacher. Students will still be expected to wear their blazers over their PE top when in other lessons.
  • Teaching staff need to maintain a 2 metre distance from students in the classroom. They should also work in well ventilated conditions wherever practicable.
  • Teaching Staff will make sure they wash/sanitise their hands and surfaces, before and after handling students’ books or equipment.
  • Water fountains and water bottle filling facilities are not available for use in school currently.
  • Staff will ask students to photograph their work at home and send it when required to reduce the risk of contamination from exercise books.
  • All classrooms identified of student who has tested positive and list of rooms sent to site supervisor from the office staff to ensure rooms are thoroughly cleaned.

2

5

10

This will be supervised by staff at in classrooms. Hand sanitising will be supervised and checked by teaching staff on entry and exit from classrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

3

Spread of virus via close proximity to infected persons (staff, students, parents, visitors).

  • Visitors/contractors/parents entering school premises are to follow the same procedures as the staff and students whilst on the school premises. All visitors/contractors/parents will be required to use the hand sanitisers provided before proceeding. This activity will be supervised by the school receptionist.
  • School deliveries including postal will be left at the school gate and all deliveries to be disinfected with a spray before going into the school buildings. 
  • Any visitor/contractor/parent who appears to be unwell will not be permitted entry.
  • Year groups to spend their time in school in year group ‘bubbles’ with a designated working area away from other year groups. For the two mixed use spaces (technology block and PE areas), all surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned prior to the arrival of the next bubble.
  • 2 metre distancing strictly adhered to by staff unless critical. In which case staff to wear PPE as covered in government guidance. Students outside of the classroom should still follow the 2m distance rule whenever possible or as a minimum 1m. In the classroom students will move straight to their seat to minimise close contact with other students.
  • Social distancing requirements followed whenever possible and communicated to staff and students regularly and reinforced with suitable markings and signage around school. Duty staff to supervise this in their designated areas before and after lessons, during break and lunch and at the end of the school day. Seating plans being adhered to by students in every classroom. Seating plans being kept up to date by Teachers and posted onto Teams.

For tasks where there is a requirement to work within 2 metres, such as medical or care routines with students, staff have access to suitable PPE such as gloves and face masks. All staff can find guidance on the safe use and disposal of PPE in the Staff Documentation Team in the COVID channel. If in any doubt, refer student to a member of staff who is confident in the use of PPE. Mr. P. Cowley: STAFF DOCUMENTATION PPE Guidance when and how to use it. Basically… 

posted in STAFF DOCUMENTATION/COVID at 5 Nov 2020 10:27

 

  • Children will be in well ventilated areas where practicable.
  • CO2 monitors in all classrooms and offices to support staff in maintaining a balance between good ventilation and temperature.

Students moving between school buildings have their own ‘flow’ plan to follow which reduces the risk of contact with students from other bubbles. There is a separate flow plan for each bubble and teachers need to remind students of the correct flow at the end of the lesson if the students are leaving the buildings within their designated bubble. This will be for PE, art, technology, computing and music lessons. If students do not need to use the resources of these other buildings, risk levels can be reduced further by using a room in the ‘bubble buildings’. Mr. P. Cowley: Flow diagrams for one-way routes around blocks 

posted in STAFF DOCUMENTATION/COVID at 6 Nov 2020 10:45

 

  • SLT to review government guidance regarding control measures such as the introduction of temperature screening measures and update the risk assessment if there is a change, e.g. use of a non-contact Infrared thermometer in school for all persons entering school premises.
  • Staff to maintain 2 metre distance from each other always. They are instructed to only use staffrooms if there is always at least two metres between them and that they adhere to the maximum occupancy levels for each room.
  • To maintain bubbles throughout the school day and to reduce the risk of cross bubble contamination, there will be no dining facilities in place until government guidance measures are reduced. This means that all students will be required to bring their own food and drink into school each day. Alternatively, parents can order food from our caterers and this will be delivered to the students’ bubbles at the start of break/lunch.
  • Only when absolutely necessary will a face to face meeting take place.  This will be with the minimum number of participants, whilst observing social distancing rules either in an outdoor space or well-ventilated area indoors with face masks warn throughout.
  • All parental meetings are held outdoors or in a well-ventilated designated room maintaining 2m distancing at all times with face masks warn throughout. Staff meetings, whether pastoral, departmental , ITT or SLT will take place remotely and not be conducted face-to-face to minimise contact time.  No rooms maximum occupancy is to be breached at any time.
  • All members of staff who do not work out of the main office will only go in as a last resort. All communications should take place remotely. If a longer discussion is needed use the phone or zoom . No staff member other than the main office workers will stay in the main office in excess of 15 minutes. This will reduce the number of people the main office are coming into contact with in an enclosed space.
  • Site supervisors not to  occupy the site staff office at the same time. To take staggered breaks if necessary.

Music and Drama

  • Singing, and playing wind and brass instruments will not take place in larger groups such as school choirs and ensembles, or school assemblies
  • During Music lessons or clubs involving singing, shouting or the playing of wind and brass instruments group sizes will be restricted to 15. A 2 metre social distance will be maintained and students will be positioned back to back or side by side
  • Instruments will not be shared where at all possible, where this is not possible frequent cleaning of instruments between use will take place. Music staff clean down the workstations and instruments after every lesson and at the end of the day.
  • When practical, singing and wind/brass instruments will be played outside. If this is not possible windows will be opened to encourage good ventilation.

2

5

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CO2 sensors installed in every classroom so that the teacher can monitor air quality and increase ventilation if necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortnightly communication regarding reminders and updates to staff/students/parents in the form of a newsletter/video or live meeting in Teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In worst case scenario with all site supervisors absent, SLT or SLS to open the premises and for cleaning duties to be undertaken by admin team. BPa to go through cleaning routines with back-up team.

 

 

4

Spread of virus when traveling to / from school.

  • Walking to school or travelling by bicycle encouraged.
  • If coming by bicycle, then to maintain the two-metre rule when storing the bicycle which will be in the allocated storage facility. No person will touch anybody else’s bicycles and the security of the bicycle will be the responsibility of the owner.
  • Wherever possible students should travel to school with household members only.
  • Sharing of transport or walking groups with non-household members to be discouraged.
  • If students have no option but to share transport or use public transport:
    • Students need to wear a face mask if they are on public transport or a local authority school bus.
    • Wherever possible ensure good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) and facing away from others may help to reduce the risk of transmission.
    • Keep touch contact to the minimum wherever possible.
    • Students on buses to sit in the designated sections for their year groups and not to cross over with other year groups.
    • Students waiting at bus stops to socially distance if it is safe to do so and to wear masks whilst waiting for the bus.
    • Frequent hand sanitisation both during and after the journey is  strongly recommended. Students who come by bus are therefore encouraged to have their own personal hand sanitiser.
  • Students queue at least 1 metre apart using the floor markings for guidance at entrances and exits to reduce risks of transmission. This will be supervised by SLT.
  • Parents instructed to stay in cars whilst dropping off/picking up students.

2

5

10

 

 

5

Spread of virus when handling delivered items, food deliveries etc.

 

  • Deliveries to be left at the school gates. This will be supervised by the office staff.
  • All packaging to be sprayed down by receptionist/site supervisor before it enters school buildings.
  • Packaging to be disposed of hygienically as soon as possible.
  • Gloves to be used when handling delivered goods. Gloves to be disposed of as soon as packaging has been removed.
  • Food provided by the canteen will have been prepared in a controlled environment.

1

5

5

 

 

6

Mental health issues for staff in the workplace and home workers.

 

  • Close communications between Management team and all staff. This will be via the usual channels and SLT line-managers will touch base with staff regularly to ensure everyone’s needs are being met.
  • Where management have become aware of any mental health issue with an individual, they have been referred to suitable Occupational Health support or have been offered other types of support.
  • Confidential Occupational Health telephone support available to all staff.
  • Mental health first aider available to offer support.

2

4

8

 

 

7

Mental health issues for students in the school or at home.

  • The school will provide:
  • opportunities for student one-to-one conversations with trusted adults where this may be supportive.
  • positive opportunities to renew and develop friendships and peer groups.
  • A counsellor is available for those that need further support.

3

3

9

 

 

8

Clinically Vulnerable persons

1

5

5