Schools in Hull are preparing to welcome back all pupils, with additional safety measures in place.Councillor Peter Clark, Portfolio Holder for learning and skills said: “Returning to school is a priority for education and it will be good for the wellbeing of children and young people in the city, giving them the opportunity to socialise with others.“A phenomenal amount of careful thought and planning has taken place by schools in conjunction with advice from Public Health, and including considerations such as transport, home learning and mental health, through the Hull Learning Partnership.
“The health and safety of school staff, children and their families is at the forefront of planning as we prepare for September.”Schools are adopting measures based on their own school’s risk assessments, with some phasing the return of pupils to help with re-introducing routines, some will have staggered start and finish times, one-way systems, use of different entrances for different classes and new arrangements for lunch provision.
Rachel Wilkes, Humber Education Trust said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming back all of our pupils.“Within our schools we have hand wash stations, where every pupil will wash their hands upon coming into, and upon leaving, school. Hand wash and antibacterial gel is available throughout school and all surfaces and equipment will be cleaned regularly. Staff and pupils will be in bubbles to reduce the number of other people they are in contact with.“Movement around the schools will be staggered and follow one-way systems, again to reduce contact between pupils. Signage and distancing stickers are placed around the schools to help pupils to continue to social distance.”
Families are reminded that if any child is unwell, to keep them at home, and if they are displaying coronavirus symptoms, such as a high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of or change to sense of smell or taste, they should isolate at home and arrange a test either through the NHS website or by calling 119
If a child tests positive, other household members should also isolate at home following the latest NHS guidance, and you should inform the school. Helen Christmas, Public Health lead for children and young people said: “The support required for schools in the event of a possible cluster of cases or outbreak is in place, and we have local surveillance systems for schools that will enable us to have real-time data on all coronavirus-related absences so that we can identify, and address, any potential issues as early as possible.”Home learning will continue for any pupils who are self-isolating at home.Each school has communicated the new processes and measures in place to the families of their students.
