There are many reasons why it is important for our children and young people to be able to return to school in September. We recognise there are still many concerns and questions about what is happening in schools to prepare for this.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Newham Council has been working very closely with schools to support them in putting in place the protective measures and procedures to make it as safe as possible for all children to return.
When the Government announced the wider re-opening of schools from June, extensive work was carried out on risk assessments, which covered all aspects of school life such as moving around the school, cleaning and hygiene procedures and equipment, how children should be dropped off and collected, and how staff would be deployed across groups of pupils.
As more children went back to school, the risk assessments were updated and, with input from experts in the Council’s health and safety, Public Health and education services, and head teachers, further guidance and advice was provided. Schools have utilised this to update their arrangements for the proposed September return.
The measures that schools have put in place have all followed national and local guidance, particularly from Public Health.
In addition to physical protective measures, head teachers have considered what the curriculum for re-entry to school should look like. The Government announced a ‘catch-up’ programme for children and young people aimed at improving their knowledge of specific subjects. Alongside this, it is important to recognise the social and emotional impact of Covid-19 lockdown for many children. They will not have seen their friends for some considerable time; they will have got out of the routine of getting ready for school; they may not have been able to get out to play; some will be moving to new teachers and new schools; and, sadly, some may have experienced bereavement.
Head teachers have worked tirelessly to make sure they have taken account of these things in welcoming all children and young people in September. What is taught and the way it is taught will help make the return to school as positive as possible for our children. In addition, services across the borough have been working with schools to ensure that additional support is available as needed. This includes support for mental health and wellbeing and bereavement. Some children may take time to re-adjust and it is important they get the right support to help them do this.
At the moment it is not possible to give a view of everything that is happening in each school across the borough, but each school is providing information to their local education community. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your child’s school to talk them through.
We will continue to provide further information for parents and carers over the coming weeks.