Schools Admitting More Pupils Post Reply

[Enquis90]

Morning, I’m just wondering in light of the new guidelines that schools can now decide to admit more pupils (if they have the room and space), that Gavin Williamson announces this week whether any Private schools (or state) have announced they are doing so? I’m presuming private have smaller classes to start with and maybe more space therefore it’s slightly easier than state schools? In Thanks

[JoClaphamMum]

Our primary state school will be opening gradually to all year groups but splitting students in 2 groups. Group A will attend on Mondays/Tuesdays and group B will attend on Wednesday/Thursday.

Key question is what they will do when September comes. A big unknown currently.

[Enquis90]

Thank you for your reply. So are they admitting all years (aside from nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6)? Does that start prior to the hols? Thanks

[JoClaphamMum]

Yes - nursery, reception, Y1 and Y6 are already back on the same configuration. The other years will be starting in the next few weeks, so yes, before summer holidays.

[twomonkeys]

Any other schools with additional years going back? It would be interesting to hear how they are managing it with space and teaching staff. Thanks! 

[lemonzest]

Have heard from friends that:

*Allfarthing is taking other years (possibly each of the other years in turn?) for one week, half days only.

*Roche (private) is taking at least year 5 back, no idea how many hours.

[Valleymine]

Our primary school (a large trust) has decided to only take children full time or not, which is totally unhelpful if your child is not in Y6/Y1 or reception.
On top of that they are really behind on schedule and haven’t even come up with a plan with nursery children yet.
At this point, rotating the children in school part time is unavoidable to be fair on everyone.

[Vista321]

Hiya.  Roche are now taking back year 5 and year 2 and are consulting to see if yrs 3 and 4 can get some time back before the summer.  This is probably only possible as they normally have very small classes and a good teacher/pupil ratio.   As a parent there, I have been really impressed with the way that they have handled this and all of the online learning, which has been very comprehensive.  Appreciate its not as easy for state schools however.

[twomonkeys]

Our primary state school is taking back Y5 from next week, which is amazing. 

[Greyskies]

I used to live in a developing country with huge pressure on school space.

They solved it by operating two schools within the same buildings. School  A would attend from 8-12 and school B from 1- 5. 

Would this not provide the bones of a solution to some of the difficulties our schools are facing. Obviously there would be practicalities and staffing issues to address but it would at least get children back into schools. 



 

[Claphamum]

Our school says the guidelines require them to only offer fulltime places only (no rota/part time) and they do not want to depart from the guidelines.
Are they correct ? Is that actually what the guidelines say

Most of the other schools around us that are bringing the children back are doing so on a rota basis. Are they really all departing from the guidelines ?
Thank you

[Bondi]

The White House School has everyone back. Not sure how they've done it? Maybe they have a lot of outdoor space which they have put to use?

 

[rubyonrails]

I found this in the Guardian.  I'm still quite confused by what should be happening.

 9th June. 
 'With just half of all schools open to reception, year one and year six pupils last week, Williamson acknowledged that full opening of primaries this term would not be possible, as the requirements of social distancing are too difficult.
 Schools will be permitted to open to more age groups if they have space but not all have the facilities to keep children to classes of 15 pupils and maintain social distancing.
 “We believe this cautious, phased return is the most sensible course of action to take. While we are not able to welcome all primary children back for a full month before the summer we continue to work with the sector on the next steps where we would like to see schools that have the capacity bring back more children to do so before the summer holidays,” Williamson said. “We will be working to bring all children back to school in September … Exams will take place next year.”

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... n-business
 

[nrmum]

The guidance is available for everyone to read on the dept of education website.  It's fairly confusing; and it does mention not to create a rota system.  However, this was written for the initial stages of opening for the priority years and I do not believe was intended to discourage further opening after those years were fully returned.

I believe that the schools operating rota systems would have taken advice from both the dept of education helpline and the local authority; and they also would have communicated with parents and asked for feedback. These schools would be unlikely to open on a rota if it was heavily discouraged. 

The trust in question in this thread are unwilling to take advice from the department of education or the local authority - when the guidelines are just that, guidelines, not rules.  It's a frustrating situation as there are many other elements of the guidance which they are applying which are specifically not required - for instance teacher ratios per bubble.  We can only hope that when September comes the "rules" are quite clear that everyone needs to return to school.  It's even more frustrating that those remaining at home are now receiving very little support with home learning.  
 

[Mmatz]

Totally agree, I am also a parent at the Roche School and their managing of first online classes and now return to school for all year groups for at least two weeks before summer holidays is really well done!