The Prime Minister told everyone yesterday evening that primary schools will begin to re-open to pupils from Monday, as planned. For Fielding pupils, this means:

• Reception and Year 6 pupils, return to school from Monday 1 June;
• Year 1 pupils, return to school from Monday 8 June;
• childcare for children of key-workers and those who are vulnerable continues.

 

Year 1 pupils return to school later than Reception and Year 6 to give staff who are operating childcare a week in quarantine before they join their new class 'bubbles'. This is to reduce the risk of any coronavirus infection being spread.

 

School will look and feel different to those pupils in Reception, Year 1 and 6 who return to school. Many will be taught by a new teacher because class sizes are halved. New class groups called 'Sirius' and 'Canopus' are part of temporary arrangements. Smaller class groups, staggered times, separate play zones and limited use of resources are in place to reduce the risk of any coronavirus infection being spread:

• Latest News, What to expect when school re-opens

 

Parents decide if or when their Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 child returns to school. In a survey of 1 in 4 Fielding classes due to return to school, 58% are expecting to return from the first day; 4% from a bit later on; 31% are undecided and 7% are staying at home.  Families who are black or minority ethnic backgrounds, those living with elderly relatives or a household member who is extremely vulnerable may decide that the risk of infection from returning to school is too high. There are no fines for persistent absence from school. Learning in school will be based on the Oak National Academy programme to minimise gaps between those in school and those who stay at home. 

 

The government has not announced any more details about other pupils returning to school. Years 2, 3, 4 & 5 continue to learn at home with the support of new teachers. Teachers have changed because more are needed to work in school where class sizes have been halved:

• Latest News, Learning at home continues for pupils in Nursery, Years 2, 3, 4 & 5

 

Nursery remains closed because too many Nursery staff must stay at home as a result of being medically vulnerable.