Oak Field School
Dear Parent/Guardian(s)
Welcome (back!)
It’s good to be back! Welcome to the families of all pupils who are new to the school, and welcome back to all the other families who have been keeping your children safe and well both at home and at school during the last few months. There were lots and lots of smiles from the pupils when they came through the door on Wednesday, as they greeted their friends and staff again. They really were beaming! It has also been really good to have spoken to so many of you on the telephone over the last few days.
It’s been a great start to the term as the pupils settle in to their exciting new learning and we all adjust to our ‘new normal’. We’ve been able to welcome almost all of the pupils back, after ongoing discussions and site visits with NHS, Local Authority (LA) and Amber/OCS site management colleagues throughout the summer. We are very grateful for their support in helping us to make some mechanical changes to some of our rooms to ensure we can follow national guidance in terms of suctioning. We are also very grateful to City and County Transport Services, who have worked with us to ensure transport to and from school is as streamlined as possible, to limit any potential transmission of the virus. And to NCC School Meals Service, who again have worked with us to organise lunchtimes in 2 sittings, for the same purpose.
Whole school risk assessment: Covid 19
We do understand that many families continue to be anxious about the potential transmission of the virus, and would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to continue to try to ensure that your children – and the staff – are as safe as possible at school. For those of you who haven’t spotted it yet, our updated whole school risk assessment is on our website: Menu/Key Information/Covid 19. You can find the link here:
This follows the National and Local Authority guidelines for the full opening of Special Schools, and has been discussed in detail with David Thompson (NCC Schools Health and Safety Manager), Senior LA and NHS colleagues, Governors, and professional bodies. It is also 40 pages along! So here is a very brief summary of the key measures we have in place for this half term, which we will review in October, or as circumstances change.
NHS Health staff
The Complex Health Needs Team are in school. Physios and OTs are also working with pupils in school in a clinical capacity, and SaLT if a specific need for face-to-face intervention is identified. Here is a reminder of some important phone numbers for NHS Health staff:
What do I do if my child is showing symptoms of Covid 19 (Coronavirus)?
What if I have any questions about anything?
We very much look forward to working with you and your children as we go in to the new school year, and thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely
Patricia Lewis (Headteacher)