This letter was first published on 9th March 2021 - Any updates will be published below. You can read the whole letter by scrolling down or you can jump to a section.
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Introduction
Phased Return to School - 15th March 2021
Dear Parents
It was an absolute joy welcoming our Nursery and J1-3 pupils back to school on 22nd February.
As regards those who remain within our remote teaching model, we thank each and every one of you for your patience and support throughout this period. We are extremely pleased with the progress that all the pupils have made during this time and the level of engagement in lessons and assignments.
We are delighted that we will be able to welcome back all our remaining pupils from Monday 15th March, J4 – 7 in a fulltime capacity and Senior School on a blended model as per government guidance.
This letter sets out information as regards this return. All parents should read this communication carefully as the school routine has had to change significantly to maximise the phased return of our pupils.
General
In the Junior school, J4 – J7 pupils will return on a full-time basis from Monday and do not require social distancing in the classrooms. Class bubbles will be maintained throughout the day.
In the Senior School, all year groups will return for 4 days per week. For some Higher & Advanced Higher Pupils this will be 5 days due to timetabling. All classes will be taught in rooms where there will be 2m distancing between pupils. This timetable will run until 1 April 2021, it is expected that pupils will return to the pre-Christmas timetable from 19 April 2021 after the Easter break.
Senior School timetables have been distributed to pupils and are available on our Temporary Timetables Page.
On the days Senior School pupils are not in school, work will be posted on Teams as an assignment, however there will be no live lessons, as staff will be teaching other classes who are in school that day.
During S5/6 Study periods, pupils do not need to be in school when they do not have a class. If they are in school, they must sit on the tiered seating in the Assembly Hall studying quietly. This age group need to be 2m apart and cannot be in classrooms unsupervised.
All Senior pupils will have a briefing prior to their return to fully explain procedures and to reaffirm the required H&S measures.
Health & Safety
The overall H&S (Health & Safety) measures remain in place throughout the school including one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations, all-day cleaning, staggered lunch and break times, additional ventilation and reduced movement around the school building. In addition, all Senior pupils will be socially distanced throughout the day (2m) and will be required to wear face-coverings. The requirement to socially distance, means that pupils will be taught in smaller groups and classes.
Full access to our Health & Safety documentation (COVID Policy, Planning Guide and Risk Assessment) will be available in the COVID page of the school website from Friday 12 March.
Face coverings
Face coverings must always worn by all Senior pupils (unless medical exclusions apply) while within the building. Please ensure pupils come to school with additional face coverings in case of loss / breakage. Non-compliance in school will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.
Social Distancing
All Senior pupils must socially distance (at 2m) from all other pupils and staff members while in the school building. Please speak directly to your child as regards the importance of this. Non-compliance with social distancing and the one-way system in school will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.
Uniform
As many families prefer the ability to wash garments daily, we are not requiring full uniform on our return. If you choose not to wear uniform, please as an alternative, use school PE Kit or black/ navy alternatives. In this period pupils should attend school in clothing that reflects the school ethos and our high standards. Crop-tops or heavily embellished garments and football colours or not acceptable. As some lessons may take place outside, pupils should attend with suitable jackets and footwear.
Lunches
In the Junior School and Nursery, a hot lunch will be provided. In the Senior School, due to the requirements to socially distance, pupils will receive a “packed lunch” which they will eat either outside or socially distanced in a class setting. This lunch will comprise – sandwich/baguette, fruit, crisps, treat snack. There is no need to pre-order during this time.
All pupils should come to school with an adequate supply of water
Bus
Unfortunately, due to social distancing and restrictions on pupil numbers, provision of school transport is not sustainable while we remain in this phased return stage. We fully appreciate that this will have a significant impact on many families.
Timings of School day
Junior School pupils will start lessons at 8.45am each day. Junior pupils should enter the building via the rear playground entrance. If pupils are late, they should enter through the main entrance.
Senior lessons commence at 9am each day. Senior 2 pupils should enter through the main entrance. All other Senior pupils should enter via the side entrance. If pupils are late, they should enter through the main entrance.
Where S5 and S6 arrive at school during the day, they should enter through the main entrance and use the QR Code to register.
Pupils will be exiting from 3pm each day. The pick-up procedures are as follows -
Parents are to wait in the following places -
J1 – side entrance
J2 and J3 at top of stairs in carpark
J4 – at green gate
J5 – J7 in carpark
Car Parking
Due to no buses operating, the practices in the car park will have to be modified.
For all pupils, the carpark will be a strict drop-off / pick-up zone. Only J1 – J4 parents should exit their cars to accompany or pick up pupils as noted above.
Where you have a child(ren) in both Junior and Senior school, we will supervise the Junior school pupils until the Senior School exit times as below. In this respect, if this applies to you, please complete the following form to allow for organisation.
The Junior pupils will be led to the carpark at the appropriate time by a member of staff. Please therefore, arrive at school for the time appropriate to the Senior pupil in the family.
The Senior pupils will be released at the end of the day as follows -
S1 & S2 – 3.15pm
S3 & S4 – 3.45 pm
S5 & S6 – 3.30pm
In the afternoons, please do not arrive early for pick up, as parking space will be at a premium. Please exit the car park as early as possible.
In the event that there is heavy congestion, in order to comply with H&S measures, entry to the carpark from the main road will be limited. Drivers may have to wait or return slightly later.
Where possible, parents should remain in their cars. If parents leave their cars, face covering must be worn. There should be no socialising in the car park.
We would appreciate your understanding in this respect. Any abusive language or behaviour directed at staff members will not be tolerated.
Return to School Form
These must be completed prior to a return to school. Any changes in circumstances must be notified to the school. Where a pupil or a member of their household displays symptoms, where anyone in the household is awaiting a test result or has been told to self-isolate, the school must be informed, and the pupil must not return to school until formal timescales have been complied with.
Please comply with all Government guidelines in this respect.
Lateral Flow Testing
Kits are available in school for all S4-6 pupils. If these are required, please complete the consent form, print off and return school. Top-up kits are available from the school. Pupils should make the request directly to [email protected].
Where these tests are used, pupils must comply with instructions following a positive or void result.
We are aware that testing may be expanded to all senior pupils post Easter. We will update parents once this is confirmed.
Aftercare
Booking for Aftercare for Junior pupils is available here.
We are not permitted to provide Aftercare Supervision for Senior Pupils during this phase.
In the Junior and Senior Schools, no wider-curricular clubs will run in this period. This will be reviewed in line with Government advice prior to a return following the Easter holiday break.
These new procedures will be reviewed and where necessary amended, as we move through this next stage of our phased return. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Many thanks indeed for your continued support and understanding.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
Senior Leadership Team
Hamilton College
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