Scarborough primary school releases film explaining school reopening to parents

Scarborough education charity, the David Ross Education Trust, is today releasing a video for parents ahead of primary schools returning from 1st June. Primary schools, which have remained open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers, are now preparing to welcome back pupils in Early Years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

The video features a range of line drawings showing school life as it was previously, and then what life will look like after opening, as well as clear explanations as to what has changed. It aims to reassure parents by listing the measures schools are going to in order to ensure they can safely educate their pupils.

This includes socially distancing wherever this is possible, and implementing changes to minimise the risk, such as placing hand sanitisation stations in every classroom, and rigorously cleaning the school on a regular basis.

Schools will also have the flexibility to adjust their timetables as needed, which could include staggering the school day including pick up times, break times and drop offs.

The video also reiterates that while June 1 is the earliest that primary schools can open, this will only happen if the rate of infection is decreasing and school leaders are confident that they can keep their pupils and staff safe.

Following these measures will allow staff to continue providing a high quality of education while keeping the risk of transmission as low as possible. The film ends by promising to send out detailed plans in the near future.

Dominique Osborne, Executive Principal at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, said: “We know that the past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for our pupils and their families and we’re looking forward to seeing them back in school. Things will be different, but our commitment to providing the best education possible has not changed.

“The Government guidance has identified key year groups who will benefit the most from coming back into school. We will continue to do everything we can to make sure other pupils can learn from home as effectively as possible, and we hope to see them back in school before too long.”

Rowena Hackwod, CEO at DRET, said: “We know how important it is to open up our schools back up to as many of our pupils as possible. Our staff at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, and across the trust, have worked so hard to ensure we can bring pupils back into school while keeping them safe.

“I understand that parents will be justifiably cautious about sending their children into school, and I hope that this film reassures them that we are doing everything possible to keep this environment safe.

"The safety of our pupils and our staff is our utmost priority, and every decision taken has had this at its heart.”