Parents, please don’t worry. We know school is the best place for most children.

Some may be wondering what a ‘real’ day in a Primary School looks like!
What happens after you drop your children off?
Are they subject to strict Covid control?
Are we indoctrinating them with fears of Covid?
No! It’s actually pretty normal.

Throughout this I’ve taught/worked in 2 schools as both a teacher and a TA. I have been on long term supply and fell into both roles!! Long story! Both schools have had similar approaches.

I’ll share what a typical day is now like.8.25 I arrive and have to sanitise my hands before signing in. Then we have to wash our hands.
I open the windows in the classroom.
We don’t open the door. This is only opened at break and lunch. If children are cold we just shut a window slightly. This is as much as guidelines expect us to do. Anything else is just being over zealous.

8.50

Our Year 3 class/bubble arrive at their allotted time. They are escorted to class by an adult from the bubble. On arrival they are treated to a ‘free’ toast, which they can eat in class. (It’s a deprived area, we like to make sure all children have access to breakfast) They use their cloakroom as normal. Once in class they gel their hands. They sit in rows of four. Registration is normal.9.10 -10.20 is ‘normal’ lesson time. Nothing different to how school usually is.
They have their own stationary. If they need to share a rubber, that’s fine! They are meant to have their own but we aren’t strict about sharing equipment!
We don’t expect them to socially distance in class or on the playground. We have to discourage touching. But neither do we stop it.

10.20-10.30 Break time.
I clean the tables, handles, light switches. A TA will clean the toilets in full PPE. Children go out on the yard with the other year 3 class. They are meant to stay on separate sides of the playground but this doesn’t always happen! They can use the equipment, play football, tag, skipping ropes. If you looked out the window it just looks ‘normal.’They are allowed their own snacks. If there is an injury we are supposed to wear full PPE to dress a cut. By this I mean, mask visor, apron and gloves. If we can avoid it we do. We have ways around it!
We are meant to sanitise hands after play. We just say if they want to they can.

10.30-12pm normal lesson time.

Lunch.
As is usual practice, children go and wash their hands. Tables are cleaned again!
The infants eat in the hall as normal, in their bubbles. Full hot meal is served. They only have one choice though. Jacket potato or sandwiches are offered daily.
The juniors eat in their classrooms. Tables are cleaned before the hot meal is delivered to class. This is where they are a bit disadvantaged. They don’t get as much choice as those in the hall.

Packed lunches. Staff give them out. Yes! We touch their stuff!!!! We have survived too!!
After eating they go out to play as normal.
Staff then clean tables and chairs again!!!
Once children come back in they wash hands.Water/toilets.
We allow them to use the toilets as required. Normal rules apply, if they are full come back to class, no messing, etc.
If they need to refill water bottles either staff will do it or the child can go and do it.Afternoon session.
We don’t have an afternoon break so no table cleaning is required.Home time.Children are escorted to parents at the school gates. Parents don’t come on our school playground. They never have. Our school is located an a public footpath where parents wait. The staff wear a face mask so parents can speak to them if needed.Assembly. This is ran via Zoom. This is a-shame as the children aren’t able to come together. It works well but it’s not the same.We are lucky that our school is being so sensible. We rarely refer to covid in class. We allow hugs! We are just told to use common sense. Something which can be sadly lacking in schools these days.

Last week our class held an ‘Elvis concert’ for the head, his favourite singer. They had to sing in 2 halves. Which is ridiculous! But, we were singing for the head we had to follow the rules!
When a child says ‘ I love being in school’ you know you’ve got it right!

Parents, please don’t worry. We know school is the best place for most children.