Message from the Headteacher

We are looking forward to welcoming back all children to school from Wednesday 2nd September 2020.

As you will be aware there is a public health concern around Covid19 (Corona virus). I wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you that, as a school, we are taking the situation seriously and have control factors in place. We have reviewed how our school operates and have put in place a range of controls to minimise risks of transmission. With your help we can help to stop the spread and keep our community safe and continue to provide an excellent education for the children. Before the summer I sent home an information pack with your child’s End of Year Celebration Report, please take the time to read it carefully and if you have any questions contact the school. If you have misplaced it a copy can be found on this page.

The control measures we have put in place are there to prtect everyone and we ask for your co-operation with everything. We apprecaite that it may cause some inconvenience for which we apologise but we do need to work together.

As the siuation changes we will of course be reviewing the procedures we have implemented and will head back to more normality as the situation allows. Should you have any questions please call the school office (01233 820479) or email families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk

Thank you for your support,

Stuart Gawthorpe

Headteacher

How you can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

• Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:
• Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home.
• If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environments.

What’s the current situation?

We are welcoming all children back to school for full time learning from Wednesday 2nd September using staggered start and end time as show below:

The following timings must be observed for dropping off at the start of the school day:

Fox, Badger and Owl classes must queue on School Road and children will enter through the usual school playground gates. A member of the Leadership Group will be there to welcome you.

Fox Class 8.30

Badger Class 8.40

Owl 8.50

Bumblebee, Deer and Otter classes must queue on Wissenden Lane, children will enter through the large gates. A member of the Leadership Group will be there to welcome you.

Otter Class 8.30

Deer Class 8.40

Bumblebee Class 8.50

The following timings must be observed when collecting at the end of the school day:

Fox, Badger and Owl class parents must queue on School Road and children will exit through the usual school playground gates. A member of the Leadership Group will be there to see your child safely to you.

Fox Class 3.10

Badger Class 3.20

Owl Class 3.30

• Bumblebee, Deer and Otter classes must queue on Wissenden Lane children will enter through the large gates. A member of the Leadership Group will be there to see your child safely to you.

The following timings must be observed:

Otter Class 3.10

Deer Class 3.20

Bumblebee Class 3.30

What we’re doing to support children and staff

• All children are back in schoola nd will be supported by their Class Team (Teacher and Learning Support Assistant). Lucy Henshawe, Family Liaison Officer will also be supporting children who find the return to school challenging
• The school has an enhanced daily cleaning regime which is regularly reviewed.

How we are supporting children with learning at this time?

We have carefully thought about our timetable and curriculum offer when children return tos chool. in the early days we will be concentrating on reconnecting with the school and friends, restoring relationships and learning culture. When these are in place we will concentrate on recovering the lost learning whcih will include identifying gaps for each individual child. Recovery will take place when the reconnection and restoration has taken place and will be kept under constat review. We are aiming to recover lost learning for all children by the end of the academic year.

How we are supporting parents and families at this time?

• A dedicated email address has been set up for our school families which is monitored throughout the school day and regularly at all other times – families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk. This email address should be used to make contact with any member of the school team.
• If you are concerned for the welfare of a child or family in our school you should email safeguarding@bethersden.kent.sch.uk and your email will be dealt with. If you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child or family please contact the police on 999