27th August 2020Nicola Ashton

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope that you and your family are well and continue to keep safe during these difficult and unprecedented times. I know that all the staff are looking forward to welcoming the learners back to school in September.

As you may be aware, the Government published guidance on 2nd July stating all learners will return to school in September, full time. The information in this letter outlines how Kepier intends for this to happen encompassing the following principles.

  1. The safety of all learners and staff is our priority.
  2. We will implement all of the system controls specified in the DfE guidance and will actively consider all other aspects of the guidance.
  3. We will continue to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, expertly delivered by well trained and qualified specialist teachers.
  4. All subjects will continue to be taught to all year groups. Some subject level adaptations may be required, to ensure adherence with safety guidelines.

It is important to note that the plans outlined below are subject to change, should the Government change their guidelines before September. If this should happen, we will communicate any changes with you as soon as possible.

Year Group Arrangements

  • The Government recommends that schools reduce the contact between staff and learners; to facilitate this learners will be placed in ‘year group bubbles’.
  • Learners are expected to keep their distance from learners in other year groups and outside their family home.
  • Learners’ coaching groups in years 8 and 9 will be regrouped to facilitate reduced movement.
  • Learners will be taught in zoned areas for the majority of their subjects. For some subjects, including PE, ICT and KS4 options, learners will be guided to specialist teaching spaces.
  • All learners will be advised of the safety measures in place on their first day in school. 
  • To ensure learners are taught by subject specialist teachers, staff will teach in multiple classrooms. In line with guidance, staff are required to keep their distance from learners and other staff as much as possible.
  • Learners will be provided with all equipment they require except a scientific calculator which we are unable to supply.
  • Where movement is required, senior leaders and pastoral staff will oversee this.

Access to the Site including Transport Arrangements

  • Learners are encouraged where possible not to use public transport; they should consider walking or cycling (the bike shed will be relocated to the front of the school site).
  • If learners use public transport they must adhere to the Government guidelines on wearing face coverings.
  • Learners should not walk to and from school with learners from other year groups unless they reside in the same household.
  • If learners from the same household or year group bubble meet on the way to or from school, they need to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
  • Learners who are travelling by car should be dropped off at the main gates. 
  • Learners who travel by a local authority taxi or have a medical condition requiring them to be dropped closer to the school entrance are allowed to do so but need to have prior permission from Mr Van-Lindon, Senior Leader – Pastoral.
  • Learners should follow the guidance on social distancing when entering the site. 
  • Signage will be displayed around the site directing learners of their entry points.
  • Learners will be able to pick up a grab and go breakfast on the way to their zone, water can be purchased.  
  • Learners will be dismissed from the building by members of the leadership team from 2.50pm.

Below is a table for when learners should arrive on site and where to go:

Wednesday 2/9/20 Thursday 3/9/20 Friday 4/9/20 W/C 7/9/20 onward
Y7 8.30 – Main Entrance 8.10 – Main Entrance 8.10 – Main Entrance 8.10 – Main Entrance
Y8
9.30 – Main Entrance 8.15 – Community Sports Gate 8.15 – Community Sports Gate
Y9 11.00 – Main Entrance 8.15 – Canteen Side Gate (at front of School) 8.15 – Canteen Side Gate
Y10
9.30 – Main Entrance 8.25 – Main Entrance
Y11 11.00 – Main Entrance 8.25 – Community Sports Gate

Moving Around School

  • Learners must enter the school building via their designated entry points. They must wait outside in their designated area until they are instructed to enter the building.
  • Learners may be held outside for a period of time and will need to be clothed appropriately for the weather conditions. 
  • Movement around the school will be limited. 
  • Learners should follow staff instructions and only leave the classroom when directed. 
  • Learners should follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

Break and Lunch Arrangements

  • Learners will remain in their designated classrooms at break time.
  • Learners can pre-order their lunch. In the initial weeks we will only be able to offer a cold menu. Learners can bring a packed lunch.
  • Learners are encouraged to bring healthy snacks, including a full water bottle. Fizzy drinks are not permitted on site and will be disposed of.  
  • Kepier will operate the split lunchtime outlined below:
    • Years 7, 11 and 9H will have their lunch between 11.40am and 12.20pm;
    • Year 11 will be allowed to leave the site if we have received prior permission from a parent or carer. Learners who demonstrate poor behaviour either in school or in the community will not be able to go out for their lunch.
    • Years 8, 10 and 9K will have their lunch from 12.30 -1.10pm. 
  • At lunchtime, learners must remain within a specific area for their year group bubble. All learners will have access to internal and external areas during this time.
  • In the event of adverse weather conditions, all learners will be directed to stay indoors.
  • Payment for pre-ordered lunches will be processed by the catering team. Parents and carers should ensure appropriate funds are available on ParentPay.
  • The allowance for learners who are eligible for Free School Meals will be credited automatically

Uniform

  • All learners will be expected to wear full school uniform. On days when they have Core PE they must wear their PE kit.
  • PE staff will ensure contact is made to remind learners that they have PE – message through Class Charts. 
  • Learners who follow the Football Academy programme should attend school in their full school uniform. They will be able to change into their training kit as part of the timetabled session. All FA learners will be expected to bring their own full drinks bottle with them.

Behaviour

  • Kepier continues to have high expectations of all learners at all times.
  • Behaviour which puts others at risk will not be tolerated. Amendments to the behaviour policy have been implemented and are available to view via the Class Charts Announcement.
  • Mobile phones need to be turned off once learners enter the site.
  • Kepier’s expectations on jewellery, makeup, headphones, chewing gum, etc. remain unchanged.

Attendance

  • Government guidance states that school attendance will be mandatory from September.
  • If your child is absent for any reason, please contact Kepier before 8.30am on the first day of their absence. We will require a reason for their absence.
  • We will follow normal procedures regarding non-attendance. 

Hygiene

  • Hand sanitising will be available for learners on entry to the building. There are additional hand sanitizer stations around the building.
  • We will promote the cleaning of hands regularly in the school environment.
  • We will be insisting that all staff and learners ensure that when sneezing and coughing they have tissues and dispose of them appropriately (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’) and avoid touching their mouth, nose and eyes with hands. 
  • Classrooms, toilets, corridors door handles and handrails alongside other high touch surfaces will be cleaned regularly. 
  • Toilets will be available for all learners to access with additional cleaning throughout  the school day. 

Displaying symptoms and First Aid

  • Kepier will continue to offer First Aid, although, wherever possible, social distancing will be maintained.
  • If a parent thinks that their child has symptoms of coronavirus, they MUST NOT attend school. Parents can ring 119 to request a test kit for their child.
  • If a learner in school thinks that they are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, they must immediately tell a member of staff.
  • A learner with symptoms of the virus will be immediately isolated by a member of staff wearing appropriate PPE.
  • The parents / carers of a learner who has symptoms of coronavirus will be contacted and they must IMMEDIATELY attend the school to remove their child from the school premises.
  • Learners will be allowed to attend school again after either:
    • 14 days isolation or 
    • a negative test is shown.
  • Any siblings of a learner who is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus will be sent home with their sibling and be subject to Government guidance on self isolation.
  • If there is a positive test within a bubble, Kepier will follow the advice of Public Health England at that time.
  • There is a bespoke learning package available online for learners who are self isolating. This must be followed as soon as they are identified as being off school for this reason adhering to the following: 
    • be contactable during required times (taking into account that learners may not always be in front of a device the entire time);
    • complete work to the deadline set by teachers;
    • seek help if they need it, from teachers or teaching assistants;
    • alert teachers if they’re not able to complete work via Class Charts or Email;
    • use proper online conduct, such as using appropriate language in messages.
  • If you are self isolating, you should ensure that the Government guidelines are followed. 

I appreciate there is a lot of information outlined above and I hope it answers any queries you may have. If you have any further queries, please contact info@kepier.com 

Kepier, and the Coalfields Community has always been unique in its strength and unity. However in recent times this has been even more evident.

The staff has very much appreciated your kind messages, emails and thoughtful comments throughout these difficult times.

I would like to end by taking this opportunity once again to thank you for your continued support and look forward to welcoming the learners back to school in September.

Mrs N. Ashton 

Principal