Back to school – Teesside High School

Friday 04 September 2020 | By Samantha Hockney

We are super excited to welcome all pupils back to Teesside High School on Monday 7 September and our priority is to continue to maintain a broad, high-quality curriculum, where each individual is stretched and challenged according to their needs. Our intention is to provide a sensible balance between health and safety recommendations and the ethos and day-to-day experiences that our parents and pupils value so highly.

We are extremely fortunate to benefit from small class sizes (an average of 15) and excellent outdoor space, including acres of spacious grounds and woodland which children can explore safely at their leisure. The following will be implemented in school, as per our recent communication to families:

General changes

We will create ‘bubbles’ within each area of the school (Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form), and furthermore in year groups where possible. Our previous hygiene measures will continue and all classrooms will be equipped with hand sanitizer, tissues and we will implement increased cleaning during the day. Pupils will be asked to maintain excellent hygiene and sanitise their hands regularly. A one way system in school corridors will also be in operation to reduce crossover where possible.

School bags and PE kits are to be brought into school as normal. We intend to follow a full curriculum offering and, where possible, PE lessons will be outside; outer PE wear will be important as we approach the cooler months. We recommend a uniform check prior to our return to ensure your son/daughter has everything they need.

We will be encouraging pupils to spend time outside at break and lunch times so suitable warm clothing and waterproof coats are also essential.

Uniform

As communicated in July, we will be returning to school in full school uniform.

Transport

Using the wider world as our guide we will endeavour to mirror current public transport guidelines. All pupils using school transport or school minibuses must wear a face mask whilst travelling. We also recommend that pupils sanitise their hands upon leaving the bus, before entering the school. Failure to provide and wear a mask will result in pupils being unable to travel.

Catering

All pupils must bring a packed lunch and a drink/water bottle to school every day. This packed lunch needs to be healthy and nut free. Snacks can also be brought into school for break time or attendance at Breakfast Club/Tea Club.

Arrival and departure

Following the successful summer routine and excellent parental feedback around drop-off and collection, we will be continuing a staggered arrival and departure arrangement. Please refer to this week’s whole school communication for times and designated drop-off/collection points.

Wrap around care

In order to accommodate our working parents, we will continue to provide an excellent wrap around care service. Breakfast Club will operate from 7.45am-8.30am and children will be taken directly from this service to their morning classes (latest arrival, 8.15am). Tea Club will operate from 3.30pm-6.00pm, as normal.

Testing

It goes without saying that if you feel your child is displaying even just one symptom of Covid 19 (high temperature, loss of taste/smell, persistent dry cough), they MUST NOT attend school. If your child is symptomatic, please call reception to report this immediately and please also make arrangements to book a Covid-19 test. Tests are currently taking less than 48 hours to arrange and complete.

  • If the test is negative, your child can return to school.
  • If the test is positive, your child with symptoms must isolate for 10 days with members of the household isolating for 14 days.

It is imperative that you keep us informed of test results as we need to keep our own records accurate for both the Department for Education and the track and trace system.

If you have any queries with regards to our return to school, please do not hesitate to contact us.