1. Reopening schools
Safety-first approach to the wider opening of schools
Opening schools further has been a national topic of discussion, and a concern for many of you who are parents, carers or work with schools. We know that this is a challenging time for many. This is why we have taken the step of writing to all parents in Oldham to explain our ‘safety-first’ approach to opening schools, and talk about the falling infection rate. You can read the full letter below.
Some simple steps to follow as schools reopen
We are asking parents and carers to follow some simple steps:
- Please drop off your child at the place suggested by your school and, wherever possible, by one adult only
- If your child is over five please do not enter the school building yourself if at all possible
- Remember hand washing is really important so wash your hands before you leave home and when you return
- Please don’t come to school/early years setting if you have symptoms of coronavirus or your household does but follow advice to isolate and order a test
- Remember to keep socially distant wherever you can, in your street, in your workplaces, in the shops, in the playground
Please show patience and kindness to others as we all move forward at this challenging time.
We have prepared two short films to help people understand these steps and some of the things they can do to make this process easier for all.
- Safety tips for parents and carers (YouTube)
- Safety messages for students of Secondary Schools, Sixth Form and FE Colleges (YouTube)
Parents will not be fined for their children’s non-attendance during these arrangements.
For more information please stay in touch with your child’s school.
Helpline
The Department for Education has set up a coronavirus helpline for teachers, parents and young people:
- Phone 0800 046 8687 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).