Ashford School – Covid-19 Reopening Update:
Ashford School reopened on 3 September and all year groups are able to attend every day.
Following the publication of the Department for Education’s (DFE) guidance for reopening schools, we have produced risk assessments in line with the government’s and scientists’ advice. Key to our risk assessments is ensuring that everyone in School follows excellent hygiene practices and that we are careful about the number of different people that students come into contact with at School.
There have been a number of important changes to how the School runs and these have been communicated directly to parents.
- All year groups are receiving a full academic curriculum with timetabled lessons taking place in classrooms across all faculty areas.
- Co-curricular clubs and activities are to be “phased in” from mid-September. The first clubs to return will be those associated with sport, music and drama, with most limited or grouped to ensure pupils stay within their year group bubble. Where this is not possible or practical and the benefits are significant, two year groups might be merged; however, other measures will be taken to reduce the risk of transmission.
- When students are in School they will remain within their year group bubble. We will be avoiding any non-essential mixing of year groups.
- A one-way system has been implemented so when students need to move around School, they can do so safely.
- We recommend that students wear face coverings in corridors but this is not expected in classrooms or eating areas.
- Students are be expected to wear full School uniform and will need School sports kit including tracksuits.
- Lunchtime arrangements have been staggered to minimise the interaction between year groups.
- All areas of the School are being cleaned more frequently and are be providing hand sanitiser throughout the School. We continue to encourage students to wash their hands regularly and promote the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach for any sneezes or coughs.
- Sport and Physical Education is taking place outside whenever possible. Guidelines from the National Governing Bodies of each sport, alongside the DFE guidance, has helped to shape the sporting programme.
- Pupils should bring their own items of equipment to School (e.g. pens, pencils etc.) as sharing of items is not allowed
By making these changes, we are able to follow the scientific guidance to ensure that students are safe within the School. Students are able to travel to and from School as normal and we request that, wherever possible, they travel with students in their year group bubble and practise social distancing. If they are travelling on public transport, they are required to wear a mask. We are providing our usual minibus services and require pupils to wear masks.
We know that students thrive best when they have routine, consistency and stability around them. We are therefore doing everything we can to ensure that School life is as close to what they are used to as possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Senior School Online Learning Guidance
Prep School Online Learning Guidance:
The Department for Education has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687 (Opening hours: 8am to 6pm- Monday to Friday)
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
You can also read the latest advice from Public Health England here.