Sunday 9 August 2020

 

9 August 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

School Re-opening Update

I hope you all had a restful summer break and are looking forward to school re-opening from Wednesday 12 August. As I mentioned in my communication on Wednesday 5 August, we expect to welcome all pupils back to school in a phased way next week.

We anticipate that pupils will be returning to school next week feeling anxious and nervous about what lies ahead. Our new S1s will also be excited about transitioning to High School. Pupils who achieved less well than they had hoped with their SQA results will have the added uncertainty related to possibly changing career intentions and courses whilst waiting for appeals to be processed.  I was really pleased to receive recommendations from our Pupil Voice leaders following their analysis of the findings of our Pupil Health, Wellbeing and Resilience survey carried out in June. This gives us a very clear steer on the pace, content and tone of lessons to be delivered by teachers in the first few weeks. In particular, pupils need to be reassured that all will be supported to catch up on any work that they didn’t manage to cover whilst they were learning from home.

The schedule for pupils returning to JGHS is as follows:

Week beginning 10 August	Monday 10	Tuesday 11	Wednesday 12	Thursday 13	Friday 14
	In-Service STAFF ONLY	In-Service STAFF ONLY	S1 & S2 PUPILS ONLY (S6 Buddies will be invited to also attend)	S3 & S4 PUPILS ONLY	S5 & S6 PUPILS ONLY
AT HOME			S3-S6 PUPILS	S1, S2, S5 & S6 PUPILS	S1-S4 PUPILS
Week beginning 17 August	Monday 17	Tuesday 18	Wednesday 19	Thursday 20	Friday 21
	All pupils in school from 830 am	All pupils in school from 830 am	All pupils in school from 830 am	All pupils in school from 830 am	All pupils in school from 830 am

 

 I would now like to give you a bit more information about what will happen next week and what measures we are putting in place to minimise the risk of the coronavirus being passed from one person to another.

This link to the relevant section of the City of Edinburgh Council website provides more background and detailed information on the advice provided to schools. As each school’s environment and context can be quite different it is to be expected tha there will be some variation in practices across the schools.

Staggered return to school – pupil arrangements for S2 – S6

S1 arrangements were sent out by email on Thursday 6 August.

Wednesday 12 August – only S1 & S2 pupils attend this day

  S2 pupils arrive as normal on campus by 8:30

b)      All to be in their Key Adult classes by 8:40 – rooms listed below

c)      Pupils will remain with Key Adult to collect timetables, health & safety information and other guidance for the duration of Period 1 and 2

d)      Pupils will attend timetabled classes for the rest of the day 

 

Thursday 13 August – only S3 & S4 pupils attend this day 

 

       S3 and S4 pupils arrive as normal on campus by 8:30

b)      All to be in their Key Adult classes by 8:40 – rooms listed below

c)      Pupils will remain with Key Adult to collect timetables, health & safety information and other guidance for the duration of Period 1 and 2

d)      Pupils will attend timetabled classes for the rest of the day

 

Friday 14 August – only S5 & S6 pupils attend this day

S5 and S6 pupils arrive as normal on campus by 8:30

b)     All to be in their Key Adult classes by 8:40 - rooms listed below

c)      Pupils will remain with Key Adult to collect timetables, health & safety information and other guidance for the duration of Period 1

d)      Pupils will attend timetabled classes for periods 2 & 3

e)      All will be dismissed from 12:00

1R1	2.24	2R1	Humanities 1	3R1	Tech 5
1R2	2.27	2R2	Lab 2	3R2	Tech 3
1R3	Lab 8	2R3	Lab 1	3S1	Humanities 5
1S1	1.25	2T1	2.04	3S2	Tech 4
1S2	Humanities 4	2T2	2.31	3S3	2.18
1S3	0.07	2T3	1.26	3L1	0.13
1T1	Lab 10	2W1	0.11	3L2	1.27
1T2	2.15	2W2	2.10	3T1	1.30
1T3	2.19	2L1	Spark 1.10	3T2	1.28
1W1	2.05	2L2	Spark 0.06	3W1	0.12
1W2	Lab 4	2L3	2.07	3W2	2.11
1W3	2.33	2S1	2.06	3W3	1.32
1L1	1.34	2S2	2.01
1L2	2.29
1L3	Lab 7
4R1	Lab 6	5L1	Lab 5	6R1	2.02
4R2	2.32	5L2	1.35	6R2	Humanities 6
4R3	Library	5L3	2.20	6S1	Spark 1.08
4L1	1.36	5R1	1.31	6S2	PE classroom
4L2	Lab 3	5R2	0.01	6T1	2.23
4S1	Spark 0.03	5S1	Humanities 2	6T2	2.25
4S2	Lab 9	5S2	2.28	6W1	2.22
4W1	Forum	5T1	Spark 0.04	6W2	2.16
4W2	Theatre	5T2	2.09	6L1	2.17
4T1	Tech 1	5W1	0.05	6L2	2.08
4T2	0.03	5W2	Spark 1.09
4T3	1.23

 Minimising risk of infection

The following are some examples of the control measures and actions taking place to minimise the risk of virus transmission within the JGHS community. On returning to school, all staff and pupils will be briefed on the responsibilities we have as individuals in keeping everyone safe. This will include reference to:  

 1.      Regular hand washing

2.      Physical distancing, and

3.      Wearing of masks

 

 Pupils displaying symptoms. Pupils displaying symptoms whilst at home should remain at home until the young person concerned has been tested and been given the all clear. If pupils display symptoms whilst at school, we will contact parents/carers to arrange for the child to return home. The following link takes you to the relevant section of the NHS website for up to date advice and information on how to arrange for testing. Soap and water will be available in all toilet areas.

 If staff or pupils test positive, we will work closely with NHS Lothian to ensure that the latest Test and Protect procedures are adhered to.

 Hand washing Pupils will be asked to regularly wash their hands throughout the day. To assist with this, hand sanitiser dispensers will be placed around the school and signage encouraging handwashing will be on display. Wall mounted hand sanitisers will be placed at all entrance/exit doors.

 Physical distancing The Government advice for the 100% return of pupils to school is that pupils do not require to observe 2m distancing with each other. However, pupils will be asked to adhere to 2m distancing with adults and a one-way system will be in operation in the school to support this. Appropriate signage is in place to ensure that the system is easy to follow. Staff will be asked to ensure that they model the 2m distancing with other adults and pupils where possible.

 Where appropriate, pupils will be kept apart when in classes and, if possible, pupil desks will be arranged to face the front.

 Wearing of face masks Current Government advice is that school pupils do not need to wear face masks whilst at school. We recommend that pupils wear face coverings and hope that many will choose to do this.

 It should be noted that in certain parts of the school (e.g. queuing in the dining room) pupils will be required to wear face coverings. Pupils must wear face coverings on public transport and in shops.

 Cleaning of school The entire school will be disinfected on Sunday 9 August. JGHS will be treated with medical grade electrostatic spraying technology and a patented chemical which is significantly more effective than regular cleaning as it kills the virus and eliminates human error with missed areas through manual cleaning i.e. Walls, ceilings, under chairs and tables etc.

 All areas of the school will be cleaned before the start of every day, using methods and cleaning products in line with the national guidance. A cleaner will be on site throughout the day to ensure that toilets and communal areas are cleaned.

 Curriculum Coverage We will aim to resume ‘normal’ Teaching and Learning as soon as is practicable.  Teachers will adapt lesson delivery styles to take account of evolving guidelines and always with the intention of minimising the risk of virus transmission. Where practical work is part of lessons, teachers will be following Government and Council guidelines.

 All pupils should ensure they bring with their own well stocked pencil case. Pens, pencils etc. may not be shared with other pupils.

 Punctuality From Monday 17 August, pupils must be on campus no later than 8.30 am. When latecoming occurs, other pupils are adversely affected. Pupils who persist in arriving late to class after breaks or lunchtimes will be offered support to change their ways.

 PE Classes PE activities will resume as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Current guidelines allow for some outdoor physical activities to take place.

 Home Education In line with government guidelines, all pupils are expected to attend school full time from Monday 17 August. Parents who wish to educate their children at home can access the relevant advice on what to do here.

 Extra-curricular We will re-introduce extra-curricular activities (Music, PE etc.) when we get the go ahead from the Council

 Assemblies There will be no pupil gatherings of more than 50 until the government guidelines change.

 Break and Lunchtime arrangements There will be a more limited lunch menu for the first few days. Pupils are encouraged to bring packed lunches. This will help in avoiding queuing in the school dining room and local shops. Other than in very inclement weather, pupils will be asked to spend breaks and lunchtimes outside. There will be some staggering of breaks to support physical distancing amongst pupils. Details will be shared with pupils as part of the induction process.

 S1 pupils may not leave the school campus at any time during the school day.

 S2 to S6 pupils may spend breaks and lunchtimes off campus but should be mindful of their presence in increased numbers on the local community.

.What should your child bring to school? 

 1.      Please bring a school bag with pens and pencils.  

2.      A water bottle (Please have pupil’s name on)

3.      Snacks and packed lunch for social times 

4.      There is no need to bring PE kit at present

5.      A face covering/mask

6.      Hand sanitiser. (We will have hand sanitiser and soap and water available across the school, but it will help avoid queues if pupils bring their own).

 Over the coming days, as circumstances evolve, we will keep parents/carers informed of changes. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at Admin@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk

 I’d like to conclude by wishing everyone a safe and successful 20/21 school session.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher