Primary school headteachers around Watford are collaborating together to assure a safe transition when children return back to school.

Headteachers are saying they are confident that new guidelines set by the Department of Education to assure safety in school will mean that children and staff are kept safe if kids do return to school in the start of June.

Current government guidance says that from the start of June, a phased reopening of schools could be considered for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, with the intention to possibly return all primary school children before the end of summer, if feasible.

Many parents around Watford however have questioned whether it is too premature to bring back children to schools during the coronavirus pandemic.

While the government encourages for children to return to schools, parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time.

Parents will 'have to make their own choice'

Watford Observer:

Lara Péchard, head teacher at St Margaret's School

Lara Péchard, the head teacher at St Margaret’s School in Bushey, said that parents will “have to make their own choice” about how they feel with current circumstances and government guidance.

St Margaret’s School, like the majority of schools across England, will be adopting new safety measures as per government guidance.

This includes limiting classes to ‘social bubbles’ of 15 pupils, meaning that one group of students cannot mix or interact with other ‘bubbles’.

Students will also have staggered start, break and finishing times at schools to keep children distant from one another.

Ms Péchard said: “We are fortunate as a school to have a big site with extensive outdoor grounds and some big classrooms.

“Although we are under no illusion that reintroducing pupils back into school will take careful planning and consideration. We intend to keep our class sizes very small.

“We also plan to continue with our successful remote learning programme at the same time for the remainder of our pupils.”

While Ms Péchard admits that it could be difficult for younger children to behave under restrictive measures, she believes as other year groups will be absent, and some parents will choose not bring their children in, it will still be quite easy to prevent any mixing with other class groups.

The headteacher explained that while the school is still awaiting the final number of how many children will return, she estimates around 40 to 50 per cent of pupils will come back.

School days will be shorter than normal, but will provide enough time for children to learn and cared for if parents have other errands to run.

She explained: “I think parents have to make their own decision, the government has been quite clear that it will be non-compulsory, some will worry but there are some parents who have been desperate to bring their children back and we have to listen to them too.”

Watford schools are 'on the same boat'

Watford Observer:

John Dibdin, headteacher at Lanchester Community Free School

Headteacher of Lanchester Community Free School, John Dibdin, says there are still lots of details to work through in the guidance, but the extensive measures set will keep children safe.

But he explained that headteachers across Watford are regularly talking through Zoom and working closely together to assure practices and are similar and safe within different schools.

Mr Dibdin said they were “sharing practice” so that everyone is “on the same boat”, but this does not mean every school will adopt the same exact methods.

He explained there will be regular cleaning arrangements at the school, cleaning stations in classrooms, and children will use a one-way corridor and stair system to avoid interaction.

Books cannot be taken home as well to avoid any potential transmission from the home.

He said: “It’s not realistic to expect children to keep their hands to themselves, but the concept of bubble groups means we can manage their interaction very carefully and have as little contact as possible.”

Mr Dibdin estimates 60 per cent of students may come back, and this could increase later on once parents are reassured about the safety.

Teachers at Lanchester Community Free School will be provided personal protective equipment (PPE), despite government guidance saying this is not necessary.

Mr Dibdin explained: “We have to consider staff as well as the kids. The PPE will be friendly looking masks to look less intimidating for the children.

“We’re providing it to staff as an option, making it a big part of easing staff back in as some staff are anxious as well.

“I felt we should give them the assurance and we wanted staff to know we’re not skimping on anything.”