UK schools reopening: what will happen and how to support your child with the transition back to school – The Sun
THE UK has now met the five tests for lifting lockdown meaning we are now moving to alert level 3 and schools are reopening.
June 1 sees the first step in the reopening of schools for young Primary school pupils that are taking on crucial transitioning years.
Who goes back to school tomorrow?
Children in reception, year one and year six are going back tomorrow to join the kids of key workers.
Children in year 10 and year 12 are expected to be sent back to classrooms next, around June 15, before the summer break, to get some face-to-face time with teachers to help their home learning before tackling their exams or future careers next year.
While the Government has said parents won't be penalised for not sending their kids back to school when they reopen, it is "strongly recommended" children should return if they can.
Contact your doctor if you have concerns about your childs health, or a risk that they might infect vulnerable people in your house hold.
You can see the list of conditions that require shielding here.
Schools in Scotland are looking to return on August 11 and Northern Ireland is looking for a date in September.
You can find more on schools reopening here.
What will happen tomorrow when schools reopen?
Children in reception, year one and year six are all in crucial transition year groups that will prepare them for the rest of their education, and the Government is keen to get them back for at least a month of learning before the summer holidays.
Kids and parents will need to follow strict new social distancing measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The measures will see class sizes limited to 15 students, staggered lunch breaks, and one-way systems in corridors.
Some schools have adopted their own measures to prevent spreading the disease – including one that is planning to put children inside a hoop on the playground.
The classroom will look different – decorations are out and learning will be a little less hands-on than it has been in the past.
Ministers have gone to great lengths over the last few weeks to assure parents and teachers it is safe for school doors to reopen after hardline unions pushed back against a June 1 reopening.
For details on exactly what your child's school is doing, please check with their website and social media page as it will vary.
The councils who have cast doubt on the Government plans
Barking and Dagenham
Birmingham
Bradford
Brighton and Hove
Bury
Calderdale
Essex
Hartlepool
Leeds
Liverpool
Redbridge
Rochdale
Slough
Solihill
Stockport
Wakefield
Wigan
Wirral
How can I support my child with the transition back to school?
The best thing to do to support their transition is to calmly discuss the information you have with them so they have a good idea of what to expect.
You should also teach them routines to protect them, like putting hand sanitiser on regularly, the importance of social distancing, and the fact that you will only be able to drop them off at the gate and won't be able to hang around.
The classroom environment will also be more intimidating. Classrooms will be bare as displays aren't allowed so you will need to reassure them about the fact that there won't be the kind of decorations they're used to seeing.
It might be wise to practice some of the new social distancing measures, like playing while social distanced, or lining up a big distance apart.
They will be seperated from their friends and have a desk to themselves. You will need to reassure them that it is not a bad thing and teach them about why they can't sit with their friends.
It is important to reassure them who will be in their new class if they are used to seeing their friends in a bigger class, so they know who they will be with.
You should also prepare something good for them after school as they will likely experience a lot of stress during their first day.
Will my child need to wear school uniform?
Pupils will be told to leave their ties, blazers and bags at home in most schools, but it depends on the school so please check.
Most schools that ask pupils to wear a blazer, tie, hat or any other “non-essential” items, will be telling children not to wear them.
A few schools have even advised pupils to wear their PE kit every day instead of their normal uniform so they won't need to use changing rooms after sporting activities.
Some students have been told not to bring in any of their uniform that isn't washed regularly in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus too.
What is and isn't allowed tomorrow?
There are a few extra rules coming into play as schools hammer out how to deal with "the new normal"
Children must not bring in any equipment from home. This includes:
- Laptops
- Stationery
- Pencil cases
- Anything they are likely to share with one another – crisps, sweets, crayons etc
These items will be provided by the school.
It is wise to provide your child with a mask as this will drastically increase their chances of not picking up any germs.
Sadly, younger kids will not be able to bring cuddly toys or other non-essential possessions to school either.
Children are allowed to bring in healthy snacks they will not be allowed to bring in chocolates, crisps or sweets.
They should also bring any medication they need with them.
Waterbottles are subject to individual schools.
If you have any specific queries regarding your child, you should contact their school.
You can also find more information on the do's and don't's here.
Will my child need a packed lunch?
It is wise to make a packed lunch as it will reduce the risk of spreading the virus in the canteen.
It also reduces the risk of coronavirus spreading between pupils and canteen staff.
Dr Jenny Harries said fears over lunch boxes spreading coronavirus were low.
She said: "The issue about lunch boxes is that they're quite personal to the child eating the lunch, and I can almost guarantee that one child won't want to eat the lunch of the one sitting hopefully two metres distance from them."
Can I take my child into class?
Mums and dads are being given timed slots to drop your children off to avoid crowding at the school gates.
Parents will also be barred from chatting and loitering to maintain social distancing, and will have to queue up like you do at the supermarket.
It is wise to adopt a 'drop and run' approach.
Where can I find more information?
The best place to find the information for your school is from your school and your local council.
We are doing lots of articles and explainers on schools reopening, bringing you the most up to date information as it breaks.
You can find everything else that we know here.
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