Following on from our last two latest news which looked at facts about children and Covid-19, along with considerations for re-openings of schools, we have listed practical measures that can be used tin order to be school ready.
Practical measures:
- Layout re-design to maximise distancing
- One-way systems
- Good ventilation
- Regular cleaning of shared surfaces, classrooms and any areas involving multiple groups.
- Promotion, facilities and practice of good regular, hand hygiene.
- Promotion, facilities and practice of good respiratory hygiene.
- Additional heating for continued ventilation during cold weather
- Social/physical distancing (where possible considering age range of pupils)
- Segmentation of pupils in primary school and in years 7- 9 of secondary school.
- Pupils in years 10-13 in secondary may be in year segmentations due to different academic sets/options, so space and staff need to me considered to maximise safety
- Perspex barriers within classrooms but consider risks to ventilation and impact on class lesson/activity.
- Microphones/audio equipment for lectures (reduces droplets created form voice projection).
- Different entrances and exits for staff/ year groups
- Staggered start and finishing times
- Staggered lunch and break times
- Mask wearing for older pupils (controversial, next article looks at pros and cons)
Practical underpinning support mechanisms:
- Education of staff, pupils and parents/guardians
- Clear signage
- Sickness policy modifications
- Absenteeism policy modifications
- Clear guidance for all, if experiencing symptoms/illness
- Behaviour policy modification to support expected pupil behaviour of safety measures
- Reliable cleaning firms and routines
- Supply agency arrangements for consistency of staff