Bellfield Junior School

FAQs during C-19 crisis for Parents

We all have questions about C-19 and how it affects us. Here we try to answer some of those questions about the current situation in school (FAQs further down the page).   Updated 11.11.20                                   

Government information:

What Parents/ Carers need to know about schools during Covid-19 outbreak - click here (last update was 16.10.20): translated versions:   Arabic  Bengali  Chinese – traditional  Chinese-simplified  

French  Gujarati  Polish  Portuguese  Punjabi  Romany  Somali  Turkish  Urdu

Guidelines for full opening for schools  - click here (last update 22.10.20)

Letter from BCC - drop & collect Test Kits

BCC information:  regarding schools during the Covid-19 outbreak

                                             What we need to do in B'ham to stay Covid-19 safe

                                             For Parents & Carers of children with SEND - click here

                                            Mental Health information & support - click here

                                            Building children's resilience during C-19 - click here

                                           Supporting children going back to school - click here

                               Bereavement support from: Edward's Trust   'Beyond the Horizon'  Child Bereavement UK  

BBC video - how to wear a face mask correctly - click here

Links to resources that can help you help your child with C-19: 

   Self care support        Advice for young people       Advice for Parents & Carers

                                      Mindfulness Calendar - 2 weekly, 5 minute wellbeing activities

                                     Back to School - 5 tips for Parents

Covid-19 symptoms? What to do...

During the Autumn term many children get common coughs and colds. We understand that many Parents/Carers are a little unsure whether to send their children to school.

If your child develops any of the following symptoms: new persistent cough, fever or a change in, or loss of, your sense of smell or taste - you need to do two things: 1) You need to order a test immediately. You can do this online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.        2) You and anyone in your household must immediately self-isolate until you receive the results of your test.   If the test is positive, you must continue to self-isolate for 10 days from when the symptoms started. Anyone in the household must continue to self-isolate for a total of 14 days. If the test is negative, everyone in your household no longer needs to self-isolate. and can return to normal.      Please note that common cold symptoms, including runny nose, are normal - keep your child at home for a day or two and if other symptoms don't appear, they can return to school. If other symptoms appear, please get your child tested asap. At all times, as we always expect, please call the school by 9.15am to inform us as to why your child is not in school and keep us informed. Thank you for your support in these unusual times.

• Why was the school closed 20.10.20 and what extra precautions are in place? The school was closed as there had been 3 positive cases and 'track & trace' had identified a number of staff, meaning staff:pupil ratios would have been too low. Fortunately, the risk to pupils, after a risk assessment with PHE, was deemed to be very low. A review of the wearing of face coverings (adults) around school and movement around school has been conducted and the school's Covid-19 Risk Assessment has been updated as a result - available for families to read (see below for link). All staff, via a virtual meeting 21.10.20, have been updated and agreed to changes that adds to our systems in school. Cleaning throughout the day in communal areas (corridors, sink areas, toilets etc) will continue. The school is confident that every precaution has been taken into consideration, over and above Govt guidelines. 
• Can I talk to someone if I am unsure about sending my child to school? Of course - we would encourage your child(ren) to be in school and we are doing everything possible (& beyond) to keep everyone safe in school.  But if you'd like to discuss it further, please email our office enquiry@bellfield-jun.bham.sch.uk or phone into school and talk to us – we’re here to help.
• How can I look after my child's mental health & well-being? See links above - also: The Pastoral Team (Miss Harvey & Ms Benn) are in school and here to support you, whether that's just to listen or to get you the support you need. Please contact the office via email or phone. 
• Which children are allowed in school? ALL children are expected in school unless they are ill or isolating - you must contact the school to inform them.
• Will my child be taught by their usual teacher? Yes
• Does the school have a risk assessment for the Covid-19 crisis? Yes. You can read this document by clicking HERE - this is reviewed weekly and if there are any changes to the guidelines from the DfE/ Government.
• Will I be fined if I do not send my child into school? The Government have said that all children must return to school and that the usual prosecution procedures will apply  - this means you can be fined up to £1000 per child per parent/ carer if you do not send your child to school. However, if you do have concerns about your child being in school, please contact us to talk about this so we can find ways to support you and your family.
• What are the times for bringing/ collecting my child? 8.35am Y6;  8.40 Y5;  8.45am Y4 and 8.50am Y6 - gates close at 8.55am.  Collection: 3.20pm Y5&6 (6 from the main doors) and 3.25pm Y3&4 except Fridays - these are 1.05pm Y3 & Y4; 1.10pm Y6 (from back entrance near bike park) & Y5 at 1.15pm.
• Can I send my child to school with PPE/ hand sanitiser? The Government/DfE (click here, and here) state that face masks are not required by anyone in school and should be removed at the entrance. However, we feel there should be choice for staff, children and families. Therefore, yes - this is your choice for you to provide and send your child to school with a face-mask if you so wish, to be worn in communal areas. However, if your child is to wear a face mask, you must discuss with them how to wear the mask, not to keep messing with the mask and to keep their hands away from the mask as much as possible. It is preferable that masks are not during lessons as this hinders the learning.   The school reserves the right to ask children to remove face masks if they are not being worn properly and/or keep being messed with as it will not be doing the job they are designed to do. We will inform you should this be the case.  Further, if you wish to send your child to school with their own hand sanitiser, that is fine too, as long as it has their name on, is kept with them and not shared with others. Any questions, please contact us.
• How are lunchtimes being organised? Lunchtimes will be more staggered and children will remain in their year group bubbles, with cleaning between sittings. Free School Meals are as normal during term time and provided in school - if you think you are eligible but currently do not claim, click HERE to complete the online service to check.
• How have the children who have returned been feeling? They have settled really quickly, followed the rules sensibly, self-regulating and have been telling us how much they missed the school... and us! It's been a very happy place. 
• Are Breakfast Club & after-school clubs open? Yes. Normal after-school clubs will begin wc 14.09.20. We are extending our Breakfast Club to run from 7.30am -  the afterschool childcare group until 6pm ends 23.10.20 due to lack of places being taken. Click here for more details
• What do I do if my child is ill? As usual, you must contact the school before 9.15am. If your child, or any member of the family, are showing signs of the symptoms being potentially Covid-19, see the guidelines below - follow Govt instructions, get tested and keep the school informed. NHS Covid-19 website - click here for info & support
• How is the school supporting home learning? Home Learning Packs to keep safe at home were provided 13.10.20 to all children. There is also work online on our website and the Learning Platform will be available from 2.11.20 - usernames and passwords for all our online learning support are in the children's home learning planners.
• How do I share my child's learning from home? Please send any work in via the year group emails, on the Learning Platform or it can be handed in at the office. 
• Does the FSM Voucher scheme continue? No - This scheme ended on 31st August and went back to normal pre-Covid-19, with children eligible receiving FSMs in school. If a bubble or the school is closed, or you are isolating, the school will arrange FSM weekly parcels to families who are FSM eligible.
• As an adult/ Parent/ Carer of a child, can I come into school? You can come in the main entrance to the reception office only., using the provided hand sanitiser and wearing a face covering. For any other contact, ie to talk to Pastoral or a teacher, please contact school using phones, emails or, if requested, we can use Internet media (such as Zoom) to ‘meet’ with you.  You may be asked to have the NHS Test&Trace app so you can scan our Q code or you may be asked to complete a T&T form.
• How are you ensuring everyone in school is safe? We will have year group 'bubbles' (a 'bubble' - bubbles are groups that then do not mix with other groups to protect everyone, such as separate classrooms, playtimes, lunchtimes & times in/out of school), depending on the size of the classroom. 
• We have a strict one-way system into, out of and around school, with 2m distancing that everyone must follow. We ask that Parents/ Carers wear face masks around our premises.
• Staggered timetables to come into school, leave school and for break/ lunch times. Ensuring good respiratory hygiene - promote the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach. 
• Everyone must wash/ hand sanitise their hands on entering school and regularly during the day. 
• We have cleaners who are regularly going around school cleaning all communal areas, and classrooms at break/ lunch times.
• PPE is available for staff, especially where 2m is not possible - ie when there is a medical issue.  It has been agreed that adults working in the school will wear face coverings in communal areas and all visitors will wear face coverings except where 2m+ distancing is possible (ie in a year group assembly).
• Where do I bring my child to school/ collect them? Please bring all children/ come to collect your child through the steps entrance from Vineyard Road and you will need to follow the one way system, leaving through the gates onto Bellfield or the back alleyway, maintaining social distancing rules and wearing a face covering (unless exempt). You will not be able to use the back alleyway as an entrance at the current time.

• Will there be COVID-19 testing and contact tracing in education and childcare settings?  Testing is already available for all school staff and their household members - call 119.

  All those children eligible to attend school, and members of their households, will have access to testing if they display symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

  To access testing, you should use the 119 online coronavirus service.   This will enable them to get back into childcare or education, and their parents or carers to get back to work, if the test proves to be negative.

• PLEASE NOTE: if anyone in your house have symptoms of C-19, you MUST arrange for testing, as per Government guidelines and isolate for 10-14days or until the test result is negative.

• What happens if someone in school tests positive for Covid-19?  In the event of a child or member of staff testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), we will follow the guidance from the Government and PHE or PHB appropriately