September 2020

School will reopen to children on Wednesday 2nd September. Below is all the information regarding how everyone can return to school in a safe way. 

Drop off and Pick up times

From September there will be staggered drop off and pick up times to ensure social distancing and a reduced number of parents and children on the school grounds at any one time. 

There will be three 10 minute drop off windows:

8:50-9:00

9:00-9:10 

9:10-9:20 

There will be three 10 minute pick up windows:

3:00-3:10

3:10-3:20

3:20-3:30

It is IMPERATIVE that you stick to your designated time slot. 

If you have more than one child in school, you must drop off/pick up all children at the END of the earliest drop off/pick up slot. 

E.g, Bobby is in 2LW and his drop off time is 8:50-9:00. His older sister is in 3H and her drop off time is 9:10-9:20, therefore both children will be dropped off at their own classroom doors at 9:00, which is the end of the first slot. 

Where to drop off and pick up 

Please see the map below, showing the route you will take to drop off/pick up you child(ren). 

As you can see, children in Nursery, Reception and Year one, will enter the pedestrian gate on Matchborough Way at the far end of school, keeping to the LEFT, walk across the playground and round to the classroom doors, and then exit the school grounds through the pedestrian gate near the school office also on Matchborough Way. As shown by the BLUE arrows. 

Children in Year 2,3 and 4 will enter the pedestrian gate on Matchborough way, keeping to the RIGHT, walk along the front of school to the classroom doors, and then exit the school grounds through the pedestrian gate near the school office on Matchborough Way. As shown by the RED arrows. 

We understand that some families have children in different year groups. If you have a child(ren) in Nursery, Reception or Year one and a sibling in Year 2 or 3 you can follow the Blue arrows across the playground and drop the older sibling through the back doors off the playground. There will be a member of staff to greet them at the back doors. This will also be where you collect the children from at the end of the day. 

Year 4 children need to be dropped at the pedestrian gate and walk to their classroom doors unaccompanied. You will be able to see them enter the school building from the gate. 

At the end of the day, Year 4 children can be collected from their classroom doors, with parents/carers using the one way system and following the red arrows on the map. 

• We ask that you do not turn up to school before your drop off/pick up slot to prevent crowding outside the school gates. You will only be permitted to enter the school premises at your allocated times. 

• Only one adult can accompany children through the one way system for drop off and pick up. 

• The drop off/pick up system is strictly a one way system. 

• There are yellow markings on the ground to ensure social distancing, parents are not permitted to cross the yellow line.

• Please do not stop at the classroom doors, it is important the drop off/pick up system is a steady continuous flow. Therefore if you need to speak to a member of staff, you MUST email or call the school office on:

office@matchborough.worcs.sch.uk or  01527 883 880.

Uniform 

In September, children are expected to return to school in full school uniform. However, children can come to school and remain in their PE kits all day on the days they have PE. 

Please see table below, showing each classes indoor and outdoor PE sessions. 

Teaching and Learning 

Due to school closures, we know that children have missed the opportunity to meet their new teachers and take part in Transition Days. Therefore, when we return to school the first 3 days of term will be dedicated to transition, giving the children and staff the opportunity to get to know each other.

We understand that this may be a difficult time for lots of children and parents, so it is of utmost importance to us that we spend time explaining to the children how school is different, reiterating the school rules, some of which are slightly different and ensuring good hygiene and hand washing are a part of every day school life. 

We will also dedicate time to PSHE lessons and mindfulness to ensure we can ease any worries and anxieties that may have arose over the past few months. 

From September we will  provide a broad and balanced curriculum and learning experiences for all children, taking into consideration the time and learning they have missed during the closures. 

What to bring to school

From September, we ask that children bring as little to school as possible. We would only like children to bring the following things with them:

• Lunch box/bag - if not having a school dinner 
• Drinks bottle
• Reading book and diary on allocated days 
• Pencil Case
• Coat and outdoor wear - weather permitting 

We politely ask that children do not bring book bags or rucksacks for the foreseeable future.

Government guidance states that children can not share their everyday resources and therefore we ask that children bring in a pencil case with resources for the classroom .This pencil case will stay in school at all times. If possible, please provide the following items in  pencil cases. 

• pencil
• sharpener 
• rubber
• variety of pencil crayons 
• variety of felt tips 
• ruler 

Any resources you can not provide will be provided by school. 

Lunchtimes

In September, due to social distancing rules and the arrangement of year group bubbles, not all children will be able to eat in the school hall everyday. 

We have devised a rota system to ensure all children can eat in the hall on a weekly rotation and have access to hot school dinners fortnightly. 

On the weeks the children do not eat in the hall, they will eat in their classroom, which will be cleaned and disinfected before and after eating. 

Information about which weeks your child(ren) will be eating the hall will be sent out in September.  

We hope you have a lovely Summer holiday, the staff at Matchborough First School Academy look forward to welcoming back all our children and families in September!

If you have any questions about the information provided or would like support with how drop off/pick will work for you please email Miss Halion on:

deputy@matchborough.worcs.sch.uk  

In the meantime, make sure you get to know more about your new teachers by taking a look at their class posters. Just click on the tab named 'children' at the top of the website and select 'New Classes 2020/21' from the drop down menu. 

Stay Safe!