First look at the new guidelines for primary schools ahead of reopening

An in-depth guide has been published by the government outlining the plan behind bringing children back to classrooms. 

The planning guide lays out an extensive number of things headteachers and school staff need to consider before opening the doors for pupils.

The plan begins with ensuring schools check the health and safety of the building, as they have been closed for many weeks. The plan highlights that schools should consider soap and hot water in every toilet, hand sanitiser stations at entrances, lidded bins in classrooms and a good supply of disposable tissues. 

The plan also says corridors should be used on a one-way basis at any given time, class sizes should be no larger than 15 with a priority given to those children of critical workers or vulnerable children.

The plan also explains that the whole staff force needs to be audited before being available to work, and says that ‘clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are advised not to work outside of the home’. 

There are also suggestions on how to reduce any risks including staggering start and end times between year groups, reducing unnecessary travel of staff and students – for instance walking or cycling to school – and creating arrangements for breaks and playtimes so only one group of 15 children are in the same area at one time.  

Other things that are highlighted in the report include:

• Providing uniform that is machine washable 
• Giving leeway on uniform rules
• Effectively and clearly communicate and practice a safe drop off and pick up routine with parents
• Limit external visitors to school in school hours
• Schools should support staff and children’s mental health including putting measures in place to ease anxieties and considering how to support any safeguarding concerns
• Resources need to be considered too, for instance removing malleable resources such as play dough, washing any equipment used for instance in craft play and playing non-touch running games that encourage physical exercise with reduced physical contact

Read the full plan here.