Update from the P&S governors committee

The first meeting on Friday 5th June was held in advance of the reopening and addressed the comprehensive risk assessment work undertaken by Kate and the senior leadership team. The committee was taken through the background and protocols informing the risk assessment, as well as the advice and guidance provided by Public Health England and the Department for Education. In addition to the risk assessment, Kate led the committee through the planning behind the ‘education bubbles’ for the three year groups returning to school.

On Friday 12th June the committee met again to review how the reopening of the school had gone during the first week which included a review of the risk assessment and the results of the staff and parent surveys. We are delighted to advise that the first week presented no major issues and that the week went as planned. The risk assessment is being kept open as a live document and is being updated as and when the need presents itself, with only a few minor operational changes identified this week.

The results of the staff survey were hugely positive and found that all staff, who have returned to site to teach within the education bubble setting, feel the right steps are in place to keep teachers and pupils safe. In addition, all staff felt that the children who have returned are enjoying their time back at school. This has been supported by the feedback from parents who have confirmed that they are happy with the safety measures in place and that their children are pleased to be back with their friends at school. This is great news all round!

In advance of these meetings, I attended a school walk-around with both Kate and Chris Attwell, Site Manager in May. This guided walk was to see in person, how the year groups would be returning to school and what safety protocols and provisions would be in place to mitigate as much risk as possible while also ensuring the children still enjoyed their time at school.

The P&S committee has agreed that there is obviously an ongoing need to meet again at least once before the close of term, as well as over the summer holidays if needed, to review plans for September. We would also like to say a special thank you to Chris Attwell and his team for their work in maintaining the school site (he has been furiously redecorating significant areas of the school during lockdown!) and keeping it safe and clean for the staff and children.

We hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Maria Humphreys

Chair of the Premises and Pupil Safety Committee