’SCHOOLS are going to look very different – but teachers have been going above and beyond to help children prepare.’
Schools in the county will be welcoming pupils in Early Years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from today. But some parents remain cautious: a survey of 1200 school leaders by the National Foundation for Educational Research suggests that 46 percent have said they’ll keep their children at home.
In Cornwall, each school or academy trust will be approaching the re-entry of pupils in its own way, but in following Government guidelines, some of the measures put in place to ensure safety include: sitting children at desks that are far apart; ensuring everyone queues and eats further apart than normal; visiting the toilet one after the other; putting guidelines on the floor in corridor; and avoiding unnecessary staff gatherings.
Meanwhile the local authority has helped schools by providing posters which make social distancing understandable for young children.
The ’Don’t Burst my Bubble’ resources designed by Cornwall’s Together for Families team have been sent to all schools and use the concept of a ’bubble’ of space surrounding an individual child or a small group which should not be broken.
Cllr Hawken said: ’Everyone is aware that life is different now and although this may be just another phase of the pandemic, we need to make sure children understand what social distancing is.
’We have to strike a balance between helping children understand why these measures are in place and that it isn’t their fault; these measures are to keep everyone safe. A concept of a bubble is easy to understand, and the graphics are friendly and approachable.
’Schools are going to look very different places to the one these children left in March, but I know teachers have been going above and beyond to help children prepare,’ she continued.
’ This has been a real team effort with schools, academies, teachers, staff and Together for Families, working hard to support each other.’