Covid-19 Risk Assessment Plan January 2021

Plan – Prepare Building

*Reference on Risk Assessment

Action / Comment

By Whom

Notes relating to action

Ensure that all health and safety compliance checks have been undertaken before opening (e.g. fire alarm, emergency lighting, water hygiene, lifts, etc.).

Check fire alarms

Check emergency lighting

Legionella to be up to date and all systems to be run

EKE

MB

AD/PR

Alarms recently serviced

Legionella up to date LA inspection

Emergency lighting checked

Reviewing emergency and evacuation procedures (e.g. fire wardens, escape routes, roll-call, assembly areas, etc.).

This is reviewed termly and will be part of initial safeguarding/H&S  inset 1/9/20

PR/ AD

This should not be any different from existing

Completed as part of September induction

Reviewed following test/alarm

Ventilation and AC systems working optimally; (ventilation system should be kept on continuously, with lower ventilation rates when people are absent).

Spaces are well ventilated  using natural ventilation

Class teacher

Admin

Pastoral lead

Some rooms have air con but natural ventilation preferred to reduce circulation of same air.

Teachers ensure windows are open, all workrooms open windows. Updated October.

Make provision for children who display COVID-19 symptoms / become ill during the day to be isolated.  Space should be identified in addition to the usual medical room.

There is provision re the medical room made for pupils / staff who display symptoms. SMT members identified to deal with incident including use of PPE

All staff are aware and will be updated on the procedure to get pupil or adult to isolation as part of September induction

There is no other appropriate space available that would isolate from other pupils and staff

AD/PR/ MS

PPE available in medical room and distinct toilet space

• All staff /pupils awaiting collection to keep a distance of 2 metres.
• PPE to be worn by staff caring for the child if 2 metres distance cannot be maintained.
• Staff to wash their hands after caring for a child with symptoms.
• All areas where a person with symptoms has been to be cleaned after they have left.
• All areas where a person with symptoms has been to be cleaned after they have left.
• Should staff have close hands-on contact they should monitor themselves for symptoms of possible COVID-19 over the following 14 days.

Completed in terms of induction for all staff and visitors ongoing Sep 2020

Ensure school has sufficient supplies of PPE including cleaning materials and hand washing / sanitising liquids that meet DfE / PHE requirements.

Regular(weekly) audit of resources with a two week stock minimum to ensure orders are made in a timely manner.

This has now moved to additional sanitiser and hand wash in classes/ teaching spaces (new supplier) This is replenished daily, and shop style stand -alone units for access points re lunches and breaks

PPE updated and guidance/ webinar accessed re testing kits and additional PPE

AD/ MS / SBM

Consideration to be made of continuing “best Practice” hand washing.

Whether to replace existing communal hand sanitiser units and how much PPE do we need

Provide suitable and sufficient bins to support pupils and staff to follow the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.

Provide sufficient tissues in all rooms.

Bins are in every space and disposal is via double bagging waste.

Tissues are available in every space

AD/ MS / SBM

This was reviewed and challenged by governors re ensuring that correct bin it re double bagging occurred.

Consider if the school site can be split into separate zones where groups of pupils can remain to minimise mixing.

Create a plan of the building to mark out areas where bubbles do not mix (e.g. classrooms) and where mixing is more likely and so where distancing and other measures are required.

Class groups will be kept together in separate ‘bubbles’ throughout the day and do not mix with other groups other than year group play times where zones will be created.

Lunch times where, in separate halls, hot lunches will see groups from 3 class groups (maximum) separated observing 2M distance into class eating groups.

All duty staff

Shared with FGB and approved .

Evaluate the capacity of rooms and shared areas.

There will be no shared room spaces other than lunch (see above) Shared play for year groups. Designated areas on playground.

Capacity of staff room currently 5, staff toilets: 2

Reviewed and monitored to allow appropriate breaks and only “bubble staff” to mix

Reviewed Jan 21.

In light of tier 5 lockdown year groups of vulnerable and key workers to be split to provide smallest groups/ bubbles possible and most effective distancing in classroom

Lunches to be taken in classrooms

The school has provided for 2 teaching spaces per year group with a maximum of 12 pupils per group. This is to allow for the greatest distancing 2M and effective movement around the school.

Reducing the number of parents/ carers accessing the site.

Where numbers reach this level having given preference to the most vulnerable, then the groups will be full. 

There is, following a change in Dfe guidance, the facility to move to 3 groups per year with a maximum of 12. Any key worker trying to access a place over and above this limit will be put on a waiting list and informed when spaces are available, with the school having a hierarchy of preference based upon the level of critical/key worker care offered.

Where staffing a third group becomes unmanageable due to exceptional circumstances, and has an effect on provision, particularly for SEND/vulnerable pupils and on-line learning, it may be necessary to exceed 12 per group.  If this happens this will be discussed with year group leads and appropriate measures will be put in place within the class if appropriate.

This would allow one member of teaching staff to manage and respond to pupils online to lead learning and respond in real time if 2 class bases were the norm, but with 3 bases there is a risk factor in lowering capacity for the management of “real time“ on-line provision.

This is a critical factor of providing quality online learning.

Plan for staggered lunches with more sittings to avoid mixing, allowing time for cleaning, devise seating plans, safe capacity etc.

This has been organised and communicated to all staff and parents and included in the updated staff handbook

(See annexe)

SMT

This has been upgraded to include 4 sittings. Fewer pupils, bubble staff SMT led

See above.

All lunches taken in classrooms no year group bubble mixing.

Consider door signs mounted to identify max number in room / toilets at one time.

COVID-19 posters/ signage displayed.

Signage already in school . Toilet procedure currently to be reviewed ready for Sep start .

No class space more than 30 to maintain distance

SMT

One at a time  from classes and noted

Identify ‘crunch points’ (e.g. entrances/ exits/ corridors/ shared space and consider how movement can be staggered.

Consider one-way system if possible for circulation around the building.

Stairways to be up or down only – not possible

Put down floor markings along the middle of two-way corridors/stairs to keep groups apart and ‘keep left’ signs.

In areas where queues may form, put down floor markings to indicate distancing.

Can separate doors be used for in and out of the building (to avoid crossing paths).

Identify doors that can be propped open (to limit use of door handles and aid ventilation) taking account of fire safety and safeguarding.  Seek advice from SHE if necessary.

This has already been identified and in terms of movement will be for access to lunch, exits to outside space for break and at the end of the day.

This will be timetabled and where possible any class that can exit to outside space directly from the class will do so.

Markings are on floors

Advice has been sought re fire doors. These can be open (interior as they are on a closing mechanism linked to the alarm

SMT

Additional signage needed using existing and bespoke signage in reception to meet the needs of the induction of visitors (See later)

Completed

Organise classrooms for maintaining space between seats and desks.

Arrange desks seating pupils side by side and facing forwards.

Inspect classrooms and remove unnecessary items and furniture to make more space.

All classrooms will be organised to maintain recommended space/ forward facing and minimise contact.

All unnecessary items removed

All pupils to have their own equipment in their own  wallet

All staff

NB as part of risk assessment for pregnant staff regarding 2M space between teacher pupils. To be reviewed at 28 weeks

Reviewed December and updated measures taken

Updated 04/01/2021.  Staff in 3^rd trimester aware of advice from NEU and their right to withdraw.

Pregnant staff will not undertake face to face teaching and will manage virtual/online learning.

Update. NEU advice changed but school will promote those staff members in 3^rd trimester having the opportunity to work remotely from home where possible or chosen.

Make arrangements with cleaners to put in place an enhanced cleaning schedule that includes frequent cleaning of rooms, shared areas that are used by different groups and frequently touched surfaces.

There is already a cleaning schedule to clean class spaces 3X during the day.

Additional cleaners have been engaged and additional cleaning of toilets during the day will be undertaken

SMT

Schedule for enhanced cleaning of toilets during day from staff.

Consider staggered starts or adjusting start and finish times to keep groups apart as they arrive and leave school.

Stagger break times and lunch times to avoid mixing and time for cleaning surfaces in the dining hall between groups.

See Annexe for full timetable.

Start and end of day staggered, break and lunch

SMT

From Jan 2021 access time for all pupils due to reduced numbers and multiple access is 9 am. Exit 3pm.

This will revert back to staggered times on resumption of lower tier

When timetabling, groups should be kept apart and movement around the school site kept to a minimum to avoid creating busy corridors, entrances and exits.

Class groups in bubbles.

Movement only for lunch/ breaks/ leaving

Staff contact will be reduced and kept as far as possible to designated class bubbles.

PPA offered by same staff in consistent bubbles

All staff

SMT

Pregnant staff reduce contact walking around school and where possible in staff room. Additional PPA allowed.

See update

Prepare arrangements to allow remote learning to take place should a partial or full closure of the school be required, at any point in the next academic year.

As part of Staff meeting 9/7/20 alongside additional curriculum guidance re wellbeing all staff were given the focus of concentrating upon “Digital Literacy” to enable pupils to access more effectively the online tools available if a second spike were to occur or for pupils not able to access school on return.

SMT to produce remote/ digital learning plan by end Sep. Initial plan shared with govs at first FGB  14/9/20

AD/ SMT

EG/CW/DE

Plan produced and actioned.

In place for all year groups with staff given additional PPA to set up on a weekly basis

Additional hardware procured and where needed distributed to pupils/ families.

Update 05/01/2021.  All parents contacted by phone to ascertain current access online and to facilitate equipment or hard copy.

School to facilitate free/additional data or access to Wi Fi.

Initial 14 laptops delivered.  Next 20 ordered.

School to utilise DFE remote learning framework to review  current provision and any areas for development.

Update policies to reflect changes brought about by COVID-19, including:

• • Safeguarding/child protection
  • Behaviour
  • Curriculum
  • NQTs
  • Special educational needs
  • Visitors to school

Key policies updated and shared with FGB.

Curriculum direction shared with FGB.

No NQTs

SEN policy approved

PR/AD

Visitors to school policy to be rewritten in light of Admin protocols. This will be created by 19^th July

Behaviour, safeguarding, visits all ratified

Appendix to safeguarding policy approved 11/1/21

Establish a visitors’ protocol so that parents, contactors, professionals working with individual children are clear about the infection control measures that you have in place.

Information has been shared with parents and will be updated in the light of any changes ready to share on 1^st/2^nd of Sep before school starts

All pupils will have a daily “lesson” to ensure they understand measures and adhere to them.

As it is now there will be a basic script. This will not change from our current practice in terms of hygiene

All visitors will enter by appointment only and will be limited in terms of time slots.

There will be as there is for fire regs, a set of expectations shared regarding their practice and hygiene whilst on site

Where agencies are working directly with pupils in a space designated they must provide a risk assessment or contact the school to show Covid appropriate measures are in place for any session.

For meetings seeing multiple pupils, practitioners must change PPE, bag it and meeting space be wiped down/cleaned before next pupil starts intervention.

AD/ SMT

All staff

• Wherever possible keep meetings on a virtual platform (e.g. 1:1 sessions with professionals, recruitment interviews, parental meetings etc.)
• Parents/carers and visitors coming onto the site without an appointment is not to be permitted.
• Site guidance on physical distancing and hygiene is explained to visitors on or before arrival.
• Where possible visits arranged outside of school hours.
• A record kept of all visitors to assist NHS Test and Trace, including:
  • the name;
  • a contact phone number;
  • date of visit;
  • arrival and departure time;

• the name of the assigned staff member.

Email address

Update 04/01/2021.  No face to face meetings in school where possible.

Microsoft teams/WebEx to be main platforms.

Governing boards and school leaders to have regard to staff (including the headteacher) work-life balance and wellbeing.  Information shared about the extra mental health support for pupils and teachers is available

FGB item

Discussed and minuted at FGB 14/9/20

Questions and responses on FGB/ committee minutes ongoing.

See minutes of latest meeting 11/01/2021

Leadership understands the NHS Test and Trace process and how to contact their local Public Health England health protection team.

Plan how to inform staff members and parents/ carers that they will need to be ready and willing to

• • book a test if they are displaying symptoms;
  • inform the school immediately of the results of a test;
  • provide details of anyone they have been in close contact with;
  • self-isolate if necessary.
  • Face coverings
  •  

All protocols and up to date advice and procedures to be shared and provided in hard copy if required/ digitally and in the admin area. This will form part of our Inset safeguarding induction (1/2^nd September and will involve all staff and governors.

This will be available to visitors as part of their entry expectations

Protocols regarding face coverings shared with staff.

The only acceptable covering for one to one work with pupils mainly TA based is visor

All key admin and management to update during September inset to ensure any guidance is the latest possible and any procedures are updated

Letter/ communication to parents week one detailing all protocols and requirements

Updated 04/01/2021

Plan – Prepare Employees, Parents and Pupils

*Reference on Risk Assessment

Action / Comment

By Whom

Notes relating to action

Involve employees in plans to return to school and listen to any suggestions on preventative measures that can be taken.

Information shared with all staff on 8/7/20

Teaching staff meeting 9/7/20

Support staff meeting 14/7/20

All staff induction Sep inset

AD/PR

On a weekly (or if required daily) basis SMT will seek feedback regarding preventative measures for things working well or requiring change

Consider personal risk factors: age, pregnancy, existing health conditions and ethnicity and where necessary conduct individual risk assessments.

Employees fully briefed about the plans and protective measures identified in the risk assessment.

Regular staff briefings.

See above

RA for potentially pregnant staff as Moderate vulnerable group, to be prepared for 28 week phase as recommended

Update Jan 21 See earlier Reference

Weekly bulletin/ small group meeting or 1 to 1

Keeping in touch with off-site workers on their working arrangements including their welfare, mental and physical health and personal security.

Regular communications that those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, are not to attend school.

This an existing protocol.

This would be a weekly communication but depending upon the sensitivity of the situation or severity may change in frequency

Information shared about testing available for those with symptoms.

See previous information.

Updated re school testing kits available

Update for all staff 16/9/20

Ongoing

Identify and plan lessons that could take place outdoors.

In all classes indoor and outdoor space has been timetabled.

Targeted specialist in house PE/ physical activity sessions planned as part of maintaining curriculum requirements

Consider how online resources can be used to shape remote learning.

Plan for remote education for pupils, alongside classroom teaching in case of a lockdown or pupils having to isolate.

See above re digital literacy.

We are currently looking at how we can extend access to hardware and are undertaking a survey as to which households have access to broadband/ internet so as to facilitate aces to current provision.

We are also now set up re Office 365 with individual email and the ability in the future to lead “Teams” sessions from school to those pupils at home.

IT  Champion will lead staff sessions on Inset in September

SMT

DE

All staff

16/9/20 staff inset re using class Dojo as vehicle to initiate learning and access to other platforms i.e. Purple mash, Oak etc

16/9/20 year leaders presented with rationale re planning for scrutiny.

See above re provision of hardware and current online provision for isolated individuals and classes

Update 05/01/2021

All parents contacted re online access by telephone and provision made for those without access via laptops or hard copy.

Governor update/scrutiny via curriculum and standards committee 11/01/21 from HT/ Y6 lead

Review EHCPs where required.

This has been done and also involves comprehensive COVID risk assessments/ provision maps, as required by the LA

This will be updated for new  intake

VB

RA updated and on G drive

Communicate to parents on the preventative measures being taken.

This has been done  and will be updated again before September start

AD

This has been updated on 4/9/20

Ongoing re newsletter/ website

Post the risk assessment or details of measures on school website

Following scrutiny from GB this will be posted 15/09/20

LM

Parents and pupils informed about the process that has been agreed for drop off and collection.

Ensure parents have a point of contact for reassurance as to the plans put in place.

Done

AD

Points of contact SMT only

Updated re access to school by parents via txt message 05/01/21

Limit the equipment pupils bring into school each day to essentials such as lunch boxes, hats, coats, books, stationery and mobile phones.

Pupils will only bring in lunch phone and drink.

Coats will be in class or in secure space

Staggered drop-off and collection times planned and communicated to parents.

Make clear to parents that they cannot gather at entrance gates or doors.

Encourage parents to phone school and make telephone appointments if they wish to discuss their child (to avoid face to face meetings).

Done

SMT outside to ensure distancing and appropriate protocols adhered to.

Updated to wearing masks where appropriate.

See above

Communication with contractors and suppliers that will need to prepare to support plans for full opening (e.g. cleaning, catering, food supplies, hygiene suppliers).

This is currently being handled by SBM. All visits are timetabled.

Assurances that caterers comply with the guidance for food businesses on COVID-19.

Discussion with caterers to agree arrangements for staggered lunches (e.g. seating capacity, holding hot food, cleaning between sittings, distancing and minimising contacts).

County contract through Caterlink.

AD has contacted to ensure new staggered lunch does not cross time boundary for staff hours.

Caterlink staff will follow own protocols and have an induction into school protocols.

Caterlink have issued their own guidance re non entry to workspace