Dear Marlborough families,
I hope that you have all had a lovely summer break. The team and I are so excited that the school is reopening next week and we can’t wait to welcome you all back to school
I sent out information at the end of last term about how we are planning to reopen safely However, that was such a long time ago and some of the guidance has changed slightly since, so below is all of the information that you need for the start of term.
The Marlborough Return Plan has been written with the following Welsh Government documents as guidance:
- Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term: Keep Education Safe (COVID-19)
- Guidance on learning in schools and settings from the autumn term
School will be closed to all pupils on Tuesday 1st September and Wednesday 2nd September. These two days will be used as planning and preparation days for staff.
During these two days the Marlborough team will prepare for the full return of the pupils. Activities will include:
- Staff training on updated H&S guidance and revised staff handbook
- Staff training on further developing blended learning
- Preparation of classrooms and communal areas
- Creation of videos to explain what Sept return looks like for pupils.
- PREVENT and Safeguarding training
From Thursday 4th September school will fully reopen to all current pupils who were in Nursery – Year 5 last academic year.
Pupils will remain in their current classrooms with their current teachers until Friday 11th September. This time will be used as enhanced transition in supporting the pupils with their full time return to school as well as introducing them to their new teacher.
Cardiff Local Authority Catering services will not restart until Monday 21st September, therefore all pupils will need to bring a packed lunch to school.
On Monday 14th September, pupils will transfer to their new classroom and teacher. From Monday 14th September, we will also start a phased start of the new 2020 intake of Nursery and Reception pupils.
Risk Assessment
The Covid-19 – Schools Restart Autumn Term 2020 Risk Assessment has been completed and will be uploaded to the school website.
Social Distancing
Social distancing for children aged 11 years and under has been suspended. Although, physical distancing is still a requirement as regards adults, e.g. staff in schools. It is important that learners remain in consistent groups/bubbles, wherever practicably possible.
Contact Learner Groups
School opening fully to all pupils means that we will no longer be able to use a one-way system around the building (this was predicated on half of the classes being empty).
From September, children have been grouped into zones. Each zone share pupil toilets and corridor areas.
Contacts will be reduced by grouping learners together and avoiding contact between groups.
Staff will endeavour to maintain distance from learners and other staff as much as possible.
| Zone | Classes | Number of classes | Number of pupils
|
| Star | Y5 & Y6 | 5 | 150 |
| Rainbow | Y3 & Y4 | 4 | 120 |
| Sunshine | Rec, Y1, Y2 | 6 | 180 |
| Dream | SRB | 2 | 20 |
| Heart | Nursery | 2 PT | 64 PT |
Pupils will remain in their classroom for the majority of the day. Breaktimes and lunchtimes will be taken with the children in their zone. An Isolation Room will be positioned in each zone, along with a First Aid station.
Timetable
Children and staff will have a staggered start and finish. This allows the one-way system in the playground to continue and limit the number of pupils and parents in the playground at any one time.
| Year Group | Start Time | Finish Time |
| DM DC | 8.50 | 3.20 |
| 1M 1C | 8.50 | 3.20 |
| 2M 2C | 8.50 | 3.20 |
| MM | 9.00 | 11.30 |
| 3M 3C | 9.00 | 3.30 |
| 4M 4C | 9.00 | 3.30 |
| TM TC | 9.00 | 3.30 |
| 5M 5C | 9.10 | 3.40 |
| 6M 6C 6MC | 9.10 | 3.40 |
| MC | 12.50 | 3.20 |
Please note, Pupils who will be transferring from:
- Y2 to Y3 – start at 9:00 and finish at 3:30 from September 3rd.
- Y4 to Y5 – start at 9:10 and finish at 3:40 from September 3rd
This will save both year groups having to get used to new times after September 14th.
Please could all parents continue to enter the playground via Agincourt Rd gates and exit via the Blenheim Rd gate. I would be grateful if parents could leave the playground as soon as pupils have been picked up / dropped off, in readiness for the next group of pupils and parents to enter/ exit the premises.
Lunchtime Arrangements
Lunchtimes will be staggered to allow all children to have a 45-minute break. Each group of pupils will have sole use of the halls and playgrounds by staggering lunch time. The tables in the halls will be thoroughly cleaned between each group. Each group will have designated Midday Supervisors.
Movement through different zones is not permitted. Pupils and staff will enter and exit via hall doors.
| Lunch Time | Year Group | Location |
| 11.45 – 12.30 | DM DC | Foundation Phase Hall & Playground
|
| 11.45 – 12.30 | 1M 1C | |
| 11.45 – 12.30 | 2M 2C | |
| 12.35 – 1.20 | 3M 3C | KS2 Hall & Playground |
| 12.35 – 1.20 | 4M 4C | |
| 1.25 – 2.10 | 5M 5C | KS2 Hall
& Playground |
| 1.25 – 2.10 | 6M 6C 6MC | |
| 12.30 – 1.30 | TM TC | SRB outside space |
Breaktime Arrangements
Breaktime will be staggered to ensure that pupil groups do not have contact with pupils in different groups / zones.
| Year Group
|
Morning Breaktime | Afternoon Breaktime |
| DM DC | 10:00 – 10:30 | 2.10 – 2.25 |
| 1M 1C | 10:00 – 10:30 | 2.10 – 2.25 |
| 2M 2C | 10:00 – 10:30 | 2.10 – 2.25 |
| 3M 3C | 10:35 – 11:05 | 2.30 – 2.45 |
| 4M 4C | 10:35 – 11:05 | 2.30 – 2.45 |
| TM TC | 10:35 – 11:05 | 2.30 – 2.45 |
| 5M 5C | 11:10 – 11:40 | 2.50 – 3.05 |
| 6M 6C 6MC | 11:10 – 11:40 | 2.50 – 3.05 |
Pupil Equipment Packs
A ZipLock bag was allocated to each pupil. Resources such as pencil, pen, coloured pencils, ruler, rubber and sharpener have been provided to go inside each ZipLock bag.
Please ensure that the children only bring essential items into school e.g. lunchbox (wipe clean material preferable, water bottle, essential medical items e.g. asthma pumps, Epipens etc. and a coat.
Face Masks – the latest Local Authority guidance
Face coverings are strongly recommended to be worn by all school-based staff when moving around common areas of school buildings including corridors, lifts, stairwells, toilets, and staff areas where physical distancing is unlikely to be maintained. Face coverings can be removed when at your desk and when teaching, or in attendance at essential face to face meetings, where 2m social distancing arrangements are in place. The wearing of face coverings will not remove the need for employees to adhere to 2m physical distancing wherever possible but is an added safety measure to support respiratory hygiene and prevent virus transmission.
Any visitor or contractor entering the building during the school day, where physical distancing is unlikely to be maintained, should only be permitted on site if they are wearing a face covering.
The wearing of face coverings is not currently recommended for primary school age children. This will be kept under review in line with Government guidance. However, if wearing a facemask makes your child more confident in returning to school we are happy to accommodate this.
Educational Visits
No educational visits will take place for at least the first half of the autumn term. The Y5 Llangrannog trip and Y6 Manor Adventure trip will not take place during the autumn term.
Visitors
Visitors to the school will be kept to the absolute minimum. All visitors must complete a Risk Assessment before being allowed onto the site. All visits will be by appointment only. Wherever possible, meetings should continue via telephone or video call.
Reception Office
There will be limited access to the school reception area. This will be only for visitors who have a booked appointment. Social distancing will be strictly adhered to. Signing in equipment will be disinfected after each visitor. The seating area will not be available. Unfortunately, parents will not be permitted to drop in nor drop off forgotten items for the children.
Meetings with Parents
Parent’s will only be allowed on site for a meeting with staff, strictly by appointment only. Wherever possible meetings should take place via telephone or video call, or in person outdoors at the start or end of the school day.
No parental face-to-face parental consultation meetings will take place during the autumn term. We will look to facilitate all meetings virtually.
Uniform
Uniform will be relaxed for the first two weeks back in September. Once the children are settled back into their new classes (from 14th Sept.) there will be an expectation that uniform will be worn if possible.
Please be reassured that we continue to take the safety of the children and community very seriously. Equally, we will endeavour that the school remains a warm and welcoming environment.
I hope that you all have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.
My very best wishes,
Geraldine Foley