One-way system, staggered arrival times and ‘base rooms’ for returning St Columb’s College pupils

The secondary school issued guidelines, as they stand, to pupils and parents ahead of the phased return to school, in which it stated that, given its size, it is important to phase reopening ‘one step at a time.’

The guidelines outline how the school will operate a one way system, staggered arrival and departure times, appointments for visitors, designated entrance doors and ‘base rooms’ for pupils in key Stage Three, among others.

The school said it hopes the whole school community will be ‘in situ’ by September 7.

The staggered arrival times asks pupils who are dropped off to school by parents/guardians/careers to arrive at 8.40am and those walking or cycling by 9am. Buses are arriving at staggered times between 8.15am and 9am.

Leaving times will be staggered from 3.20pm to 3.30pm.

The school has stated that a full uniform must be worn and on PE days, pupils must bring a pair of trainers to school but these must not be worn to school.

They advised that school buses will only be used where no alternative is available, with pupils being encouraged to walk or cycle. Students are asked to ‘religiously’ follow guidelines, maintaining social distancing wherever possible. They are reminded that it is mandatory for those over 13 to wear a face covering on public transport and it is recommended that pupils wear a face covering on home to school transport wherever it is appropriate for them to do so.

Visitors to the school must make an appointment and parents/guardians and carers are asked not to congregate at school gates.Car sharing with pupils from other households must also be ‘avoided.’

On entering the school, each year group will have a designated door and there will be a two-metre social distancing rule within the building. The pupils will follow a one-way system, wash their hands and go directly to class. Hand washing will be repeated throughout the day.

The school has outlined how, rather than teachers having a base room and pupils coming to them, the pupils in key stage three will remain in a base room, with allocated desks spaced as widely as possible. All pupils will be facing forwards and teachers will come to them. For Key Stage Four and Post-16 pupils, they will be based in specific areas of the school so as to minimise contact with different year groups.

Pupils are being asked to bring their own sanitiser and box of tissues and lockers will not be available.

The school will not be in a position to run Breakfast Club and at break tines, students will remain in class with members of staff carrying out supervisory duties in corridors. All pupils will be timetables for lunch at discrete times and different areas of the school will be used to distribute food to students entitled to a free school meal. All other pupils will be required to bring a packed lunch from home, as well as a suitable break time snack.

Drinking water fountains will not be available, so pupils are being asked to bring their own water bottle.

The school also confirmed that hand sanitising dispensers are being installed and the number of cleaning personnel on duty is being increased.

Anyone visiting the school will be required to wear a face covering and supply contact details for track and trace.

All staff will be provided with visors on request and face coverings. They will be required to wear face coverings in corridors at all times

While the wearing if face coverings in school ‘remains optional’ for pupils, it is ‘strongly advised’ they wear them on school transport, they will be expected to wear face coverings in corridors and in any classroom situations where social distancing is not possible. These are to be provided by parents/guardians and the school said it recognises that some pupils will be exempt from wearing them.

Parents and pupils will also be required to sign a pupil contract, which they must bring with them on the first day they return. Failure to do so may lead to them being sent home.

The full document which outlines all guidelines can be found on the St Columb’s College Facebook page.