Welcoming back our 4th Form Pupils

We would love to be able to welcome back all pupils and we look forward to doing so.   Guidance from the Government is clear that schools need to re-open in a phased way. The teaching and learning of #KESW@Home has been very well received and effective but it will be great for pupils to see each other and to have some different interaction from the previous few months. We hope that it will be emotionally and mentally beneficial.

The 4th Form have been identified as particularly vulnerable to both social and academic consequences of school closure.

Yes, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 15^th June.

We will keep to the usual timings during the morning with the exception of arrival times. In order to stagger arrivals and ensure there is no crowding or queuing at Piccadilly, please stick to the following arrival schedule:

NB The induction session and assembly on Monday 15^th June is likely to take up a little of period 1 on that day.

Unfortunately, we cannot alter arrangements to accommodate the return of boarders this term, but we are working hard on arrangements in anticipation of next term.

Yes – Science and English classes will be recorded and made available through Firefly and Modern Foreign Languages and Mathematics classes will have teachers available to provide support for those not able to participate fully in face to face lessons through Zoom and Firefly.

No. Please send in your child in their own clothes or in sports kit if they will participate in sport during the afternoon. Pupils are strongly advised to bring a waterproof jacket (or similar) in case of rain.

A snack for break time, a water bottle, own clothes, laptop, books and pencil case. They should also bring any sports equipment that they might need for the afternoon (e.g. pads, helmet, bat etc. for cricket; tennis racket) or their musical instrument if they wish to do music practice.

No, please ensure your child brings all learning equipment home at the end of each School day; your child will need a laptop to do homework and for continuing remote learning.

Train travel is not within the School’s remit, but the government wishes to minimise the number of pupils travelling by public transport. For this reason, the school minibuses will not be running this term. We ask you to bring your child to School by car, on foot or by bicycle if at all possible.

Please come to the main car park, from where signage will clearly indicate where your child should go. On the first day, there will be an Assembly in Charter Hall for all returning pupils at 8.45am.

Yes. The School has a mobile thermal scanner with which we shall check the temperature of all arriving pupils in the morning, as pupils pass through the foyer outside Piccadilly and at other times of day. We have discreet areas set aside to re-check anyone with a raised temperature and the Medical Centre manager will be on hand to deal with all medical issues.

Yes, children and staff members may choose to wear a face covering to protect against transmission of the virus. However this is not compulsory. The School will not provide PPE to pupils or staff except in cases where medics recommend it. We do not anticipate any such situations.

English, Mathematics, Sciences and Modern Foreign Languages will be taught.

1.  The Options

There are 3 sports options available: cricket nets, tennis and whole-body workouts. The Music School will also be available in the afternoon for pupils who wish to practise instead of playing sport.

2. The requirements for each are as follows

         a. Cricket

• 3 nets only open for use to ensure social distancing is achievable.
• Maximum of 5 people per net (1 batsman/woman, 3 bowlers, 1 padding up).
• For those wishing to bat, they must bring their own equipment, including helmet, bat, pads etc.  We cannot loan out any batting equipment.
• Pupils are encouraged to bring their own ball. For those that do not have their own ball to bring, they will be loaned one for the remainder of term.  They are required to bring it with them to each session.
• Cones will be arranged to ensure social distancing when queuing to bowl.

          b. Tennis

• Singles play only
• Pupils encouraged to bring their own racket and balls.
• For those without own equipment, the School will loan a racket and 2 balls.  The racket is to be returned at the end of each session and the teacher will disinfect before storing away.  The balls are to be marked by each pupil to signify it is their own ball.  Pupils must only handle their own tennis balls.

          c. Whole Body Fitness

• A series of whole-body workouts on the field and surrounding areas.
• No equipment required and socially distanced exercises will be used.

          d. Music

• Pupils wishing to practise will need to bring their own instruments with them. Pianos will be available. Pianos and piano stools will be disinfected before and after each session.

3. General notices

• Pupils to go directly to their session of choice – no attending the sports hall for registration. Registers will be taken at the activity itself.
• In wet weather, tennis and fitness will proceed but not cricket. Those ordinarily opting for cricket will need to join either session.
• Pupils strongly advised to bring a waterproof jacket (or similar) in case of rain.
• In the case of inclement weather, pupils can opt to return home rather than attend the Games session if they wish. Parents should email harrisonm@kesw.org if they are planning on picking up their children early.

4.  Selection of activity

• Pupils should email Mr Harrison (harrisonm@kesw.org) by 9am on Monday 15th June at the latest to indicate which of the above activities they would like to join.

A packed lunch will be available on each day. Pupils should bring their own filled water bottle and any other snacks they might need. Vending machines, the Piccadilly Cafe, Break Out tuck shop etc will not be available.

Yes. There are hand sanitising stations placed at key points around the campus and especially around the Charter Block where all lessons will take place. Toilets in the Mathematics block and Charter Block will be open for pupils’ use and they will frequently be cleaned and disinfected.

If the weather is fair, break and lunchtimes will be spent outside on the lawns by the tennis courts and opposite the dining hall. If the weather is poor, pupils will need to spend break and lunch times in Charter Hall, where named desks will be arranged at 2m spacings.

If a child becomes unwell while at school, they will be escorted to the Medical Centre and kept until the Medical Centre Manager can arrange collection by parents.

Pupils will have temperature checked on arrival at school and they will be asked if they have any other symptoms of COVID-19. If they are symptomatic they will not be allowed access to the one-way system but they will be escorted to the Medical Centre and kept until the Medical Centre Manager can arrange collection by parents.

All testing will be in accordance with government guidelines but testing of pupils remains the responsibility of parents and guardians to arrange and undertake. King Edward’s Witley will advise on how to go about arranging the test. If any member of the school community is contacted by track-and-trace they must adhere to the instructions given and should inform the School.

The Medical Centre is considered large enough to handle the isolation of pupils requiring isolation between June and July. This is due to the fact the pupils will only remain for a short time before collection by parents. Isolation if waiting for test results for a pupil or a member of their household will be undertaken in the family home and will be for 14 days. Any person with symptoms must be tested as government instruction. If in September larger numbers return this will be reviewed as the Medical Centre alone may not be adequate for the isolation needs of boarders.

Pupils should be collected from the main car park from 4pm.

We look forward to welcoming back our pupils in September, as you will see below. If any changes to our published return dates are necessary, in response to government advice or any other reason, we shall inform you promptly.