We are now in a position to begin planning for the reopening of Heathery Knowe Primary School. The work undertaken over the next few weeks will be in preparation for children returning to school in August.
National Route Map
The Education Recovery Group has prepared non statutory guidance to support local authorities and schools plan for reopening. You can read the full guidance by clicking on the link below. As we are a local authority school within South Lanarkshire Council further guidance and direction will be provided for us in due course and will cover all key areas as outlined in the national guide. Over the next few weeks I will be working in partnership with local authority and school staff to ensure Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery has considered all of the key areas including:
- calculating the capacity of spaces within the school to work out how many learners can be taught within a space whilst adhering to the 2m social distancing guidance
- consider all aspects of physical distancing (increasing separation and decreasing interaction). This needs to include all non teaching spaces (cloakrooms, toilets, playground, offices etc). We also need to consider visitors to the school, face to face meeting spaces and all aspects of caring for the needs of pupils attending.
- education for children who are clinically very vulnerable and may not be able to return to school as they are shielding.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-re-opening-schools-guide/
Phased Reopening
You may see cars start to appear in the car park as staff are gradually phased back into the school building. Only the Senior Leadership Team will be in school week beginning 1st June 2020. Mrs Gallacher will take the lead on all aspects of online learning. Mrs Gallacher and class teachers will be the main point of contact next week for queries regarding learning.
There are no clerical staff in school next week. We will try and answer the telephone however are likely to be in different areas of the school building completing risk assessments and preparing areas for staff returning therefore emailing to request a return call is the most reliable way to make contact with the school.
Please do not come to the office as we have not set up the necessary social distancing procedures and markers and will not be able to deal with your enquiry in this way.
Primary One Transitions
We are preparing to welcome 41 new Primary One pupils to Heathery Knowe. This weekend letters are being issued to all pupils to welcome them to Heathery Knowe. In due course a transition pack will be delivered to new pupils. At this stage we are unable to say if new pupils will be able to visit the school and classroom before we close at the end of June.
The @knoweschoolwelcome twitter account has been set up and this will be used more and more over the next few weeks to introduce staff and provide key transition information.
Primary Seven Transitions
We are preparing to say goodbye to 44 fabulous Primary Seven pupils who have been outstanding as Primary 7 leaders and role models over the year. I continue to see their personal qualities shine through as they teach and play with younger siblings, help with household chores and show such a responsible attitude in their Google Classrooms.
Normally there would be a P7 treat and I have promised the Primary 7 pupils that this will still take place for them when it is safe to do so. The pupils know it may be August or later before we can celebrate the end of their primary education.
A leavers’ pack will be delivered to Primary 7 leavers in due course. We are trying as far as possible to stick closely to the times on the annual planner and hope these will be ready around the time of the planned Leavers’ Assembly. At this stage I am unable to say if P7 pupils will be able to visit the school one last time before we close at the end of June.
New Session
I know parents (and staff) are keen to find out the model of pupils returning so that childcare and work can be planned around this. As soon as there is guidance from SLC I will ensure it is shared with parents and staff. However this guidance cannot be issued until capacity is established etc so there are a number of steps to take place before this will be confirmed.
Meanwhile I would invite parents to share your views with me. This means I can ensure the perspective of Heathery Knowe’s parent community is communicated during any discussions I have with the local authority. As always, please email headteacher@heatheryknowe-pri.s-lanark.sch.uk if you would like to raise particular points for consideration.
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
