This is how Doncaster schools are getting ready to re-open to all their pupils safely

On Thursday, September 3, Adam Atkinson will be at the gates of Astrea Academy Woodfields, Balby, watching and welcoming the first batch of pupils arriving for a new school year.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Once they have settled, he will be taking assembly, talking to youngsters back for their first day after their summer holidays.

As school principal, that will be pretty much what he did last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But, after nearly six months of disruption to schooling across the borough caused by lockdown, that is where many of the similarities end.

Nick Veal, assistant Principal, with handwashing basins installed outside Outwood Academy AdwickNick Veal, assistant Principal, with handwashing basins installed outside Outwood Academy Adwick
Nick Veal, assistant Principal, with handwashing basins installed outside Outwood Academy Adwick

For a start, there are now hand sanitiser posts that have sprung up, and markings in the corridors to separate pupils.

Read More
Read more: Doncaster special school to open - even though building is not comple...

And those pupils will not be arriving as one big group. After spending part of the last few weeks planning the school’s return according to guidelines issued by both the Government and the Astrea schools trust which runs what was previously Balby Carr School, Adam had planned staggered starts for different age groups.

The idea is that it will mean pupils from different year groups will not have to encounter each other.

Safety information outside Astrea Academy WoodfieldsSafety information outside Astrea Academy Woodfields
Safety information outside Astrea Academy Woodfields
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pupils have been put into year group bubbles – groups of youngsters kept apart from other groups to prevent any spread of illness between bubbles.

First back in on Thursday will be the year seven bubble. On the Friday, both years seven and 11 will arrive. And then, on Monday September 7, the whole, 700-pupil strong school will be all together for the first time since March.

Mr Arkinson said: “It means everything for me and the staff to be getting back and seeing the pupils again. We had briefings on video conferencing before breaking up, and the teachers are really excited to be coming back. We’ve had vulnerable and key worker children, and then year 10s, but we're so excited to be going back now. Schools are just buildings without people.

"We’ve kept in contact with the children and their families. We’ve had an online learning platform, and learning packs for those without computers.

Hannah Smith, associate Vice Principal, with safety notices outside Outwood Academy AdwickHannah Smith, associate Vice Principal, with safety notices outside Outwood Academy Adwick
Hannah Smith, associate Vice Principal, with safety notices outside Outwood Academy Adwick
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"A lot of feedback about returning has been really positive."

He feels that the way his school is organised – a campus with a number of separate buildings – has made arrangements quite straight forward at this school.

It means children are able to come in and out of their lessons using separate entrances to other year groups. Different year groups are also arriving at different times so they are less likely to mingle at the main entrance to the school.

In the past, some classrooms at the school had been set up with desks arranged for collaborative groups of four. That has gone. All the desks now will be forward facing so pupils are not directly facing one another, and spaced 2m apart. A cleaning rota will keep things clean.

Hand sanitising equipment at Astrea Academy WoodfieldsHand sanitising equipment at Astrea Academy Woodfields
Hand sanitising equipment at Astrea Academy Woodfields
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Corridors are split, with a dividing line allowing for pupils to keep apart there.

"The trickiest thing to adapt has been how we get the practical subjects involved,” said Adam. “We’re starting small and trying to run the curriculum. It is things like sport, music and drama.”

He said they were being done in areas where there was more space.

PE will be done in two hour blocks arranged around lunchtime, so that cleaning of equipment can take place in between.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Work has also been done with teachers to make sure staff are safe. There have been individual risk assessments carried out for all staff, to take into account their health needs, and all of them came in before the summer break. Since then they’ve been kept informed through online updates.

"These are unprecedented times," said Mr Atkinson. "It's unlike anything any of us have had to deal with in the past. It just throws up new things. I just think it’s a different way of working. Our staff are really adaptable, and we’re well supported by the trust that runs us.

One of the corridors at Astrea Woodlands Academy marked out for distancingOne of the corridors at Astrea Woodlands Academy marked out for distancing
One of the corridors at Astrea Woodlands Academy marked out for distancing

"We’re trying to make sure the children get the best education possible to get them through to the next level. It’s not really a massive challenge – it’s just different, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about seeing a new cohort of pupils coming through the door on Thursday.

"I think the most important message to parents is that we’ve followed Government guidelines, and we’re really looking forward to getting our students back in. We’ve kept in touch with them with email updates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Staff are really looking forward to coming back, and safety precautions are in place, and we are hoping that we can get all the students back and meet all their needs. I think their needs go beyond the classroom. It is all the other things that they come into school for as well, like seeing their friends.

"I think parents can be calm and not worry. We have followed all the guidance to make it ready for everyone to come back.”

Similar work has been put in place at schools all across Doncaster.

Outwood Academy Adwick is due to re-open on Wednesday with a special day to introduce year sevens to the school, after they missed their transition day in the summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They will find doors always be open, reducing touch points throughout the school and helping them follow distance markers in the corridors.

Pupils will be assigned to bubbles, with their own desk and a pre-filled pencil case.

Teachers will rotate into different classrooms, which are laid out for distancing. There are outdoor basins to encourage regular hand washing, and additional cleaning staff routinely deep cleaning the school.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.

Related topics: