We reopen to all children on 7th September 2020. To see our 'Frequently Asked Questions' page about the return - click 'READ MORE'
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Will children only be allowed to go to the toilet in their designated time slots?
A. No. Classes do have specific time slots where the teachers will encourage the children to go. However, if a child needs the toilet they will be able to go outside these time slots, with an adult taking them to their allocated toilet, where possible. We have had to allocate slots as Lower School only have one boys toilet block (shared by Year 3 and Year 4) and Upper School only have one girls toilet block (shared by Year 5 and Year 6). The designated time slots are to help avoid year group bubbles using the toilets at the same time.
Q. Do all children need to wear face masks?
A. We are asking all children to bring a face covering to school for at least the first half-term (though this will be reviewed weekly). They will not be wearing them all day. In safer areas of school, like outside at break and lunchtime, they will be free to lower their masks. In lessons when they are working quietly and independently they will also not need to wear them. However, in high risk situations, like whole class discussions, the children will be asked to raise their masks. If any parents are worried that their children will not cope with this, or for medical reasons they do not want them to wear it - please let us know. We are on a mission to keep all children and staff as safe as possible.
Q. Why are children allowed to bring lunchboxes and water bottles, but not a bag?
A. The majority of our cloakrooms are shared amongst different classes and even year groups, so we want to cut down any potential opportunities where class bubbles can have contact with each other. All lunchboxes have their own class section in our lunch crates and all water bottles will be safely stored in class. If you are worried about your child being able to carry their lunchbox and water bottle, using a plastic bag that they can neatly fold in their tray, or even better, using their Herne Junior School PE bag (which can also be neatly folded into their tray) is absolutely fine. On Fridays, a bag (plastic or PE bag) is encouraged as we are asking for their home-link books to come in to school at the end of the week.
Q. Are Year 6 children allowed to pick up a sibling?
A. Yes. They will have to come out of their Year 6 external door and join the one-way system to collect their brother or sister. If you would like your Year 6 child to do this, you must email us to let us know this arrangement (remember to state if you would like them to leave at 3.30 or 3.40pm).
Email: admin@hernejunior.com
Although this appears to break a bubble, it is clear that, once the children return home, they effectively compromise the bubble arrangement anyway. In all of our efforts, we are aiming to minimise the risk of transmission, but we cannot eradicate all risk, no matter how much we try.
Q. Will the children stay in their class bubbles for the entire year because my child has friends in other classes?
A. In all likelihood, this will not be the case. Public Health England keep in touch with the Local Authority and headteachers and we are updated with local East Hants data from time-to-time. If we have information that the R number is down to levels below 0.5, that will be a sign that we can relax some of our more stringent measures, just like we have witnessed on a national level lately.
