We’re managing our response to Covid-19 in a way that is both considered and informed by the latest advice from Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government Schools: coronavirus guidance. Daily we have been weighing up the risks and benefits and have collectively decided that on balance it’s in the best interest of our community to reopen the Kindergarten and Main School from Monday 29th June until Friday 10th July, the end of our summer term. Our online provision will continue in tandem for the benefit of those who are unable to attend school, for whatever reason.

Below you will find further information about what shape the new school day will take and also the numerous measures we have implemented to keep everyone safe and informed.

Information for parents

We are returning to school after an unprecedented length of time closed. The document below will outline what the school day will look like, what to expect and the procedures in place that you may find particularly pertinent.

What we have been doing

We have all been working hard behind the scenes.

The teaching staff have been preparing the classrooms to comply with social distancing and to ensure the whole school adjusts to this new situation with its heart and soul intact. We are working creatively to make sure the school is as welcoming as ever.

The school was thoroughly cleaned on Wednesday 24th by an external professional company and will be cleaned again by them on the weekend of the 4th/5th July. Some items in the classrooms were temporarily boxed up to enable the cleaners easier access for the deep clean.

Staff had a practice run today (Friday 26th) at the school itself, moving around Nant-y-Cwm as a socially distanced group, thinking about various scenarios and how to deal with them practically. In the playground Pete, Lead Trustee, provided a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) demonstration, for use only in the unlikely event anyone exhibits Covid-19 symptoms. Procedures to deal with any suspected Covid-19 cases were outlined and have been documented in detail, a quick reference guide will also be created for the teaching staff to ensure it’s easily accessible at all times. Enhanced daily cleaning procedures were also reviewed whilst teaching and support staff were in situ.

Steve Kemp, the Premises Coordinator, has been continuously maintaining the building and grounds, ensuring we are in good shape and ready to open our doors. Lesley, the Administrator, has preserved and enhanced the line of communication with the school community and kept everyone fully informed every step of the way, as we have repeatedly adjusted to the ever changing government advice and guidance. Jane, the Finance Administrator, has ensured that the furlough scheme was handled correctly and of course continued to manage all the usual financial commitments and obligations.

The trustees have stepped in to govern the school whilst we have had a skeleton staff and to support all staff who weren’t on furlough. Covid-19 procedures and risk assessments have been created, discussed, practiced where applicable and signed off to ensure that there is a strong framework to enable the staff to work safely and with confidence. Most importantly this thorough preparation will directly translate into a low risk, safe environment for the children.

Joe Sutherland has repainted the wall of Kindergarten adjacent to the road. Joe and Rebecca Makepeace-Brown have refurbished and painted the windows and porch door frame of main school and repainted the West (pink) wall.

Some urgent tree surgery work has been completed to make safe potentially dangerous trees.

Useful links

We have kept up to date with all the latest guidance. You may find some of these links useful.

Wales

Schools: Coronavirus
Keep Education Safe: Operational guidance for schools and settings (COVID-19)
Protective measures in childcare settings: Keep Childcare Safe
Public Health Wales – Coronavirus
Coronavirus COVID-19 symptom checker on NHS Direct Wales
Public Health Wales Rapid Covid-19 surveillance

UK

COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare setting
Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19)
UK Government coronavirus updates