Derbyshire County Council is supporting schools, pupils and parents as they adjust to the ‘new normal’ and begin to reinstate face to face learning.

There will be a range of extra safety measures in schools such as:

• extra cleaning
• reducing the amount contact between different year groups and staff
• ensuring that anyone with coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend school
• cleaning hands thoroughly and more often than usual.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People, Councillor Alex Dale, said:“I’d like to thank our school staff for all their hard work during this difficult time.”

“We understand that parents and pupils might be anxious about returning to school in September and we want to reassure them that schools are doing everything they can to minimise the spread of coronavirus and they will be communicating with parents throughout.”

“Pupils have been out of school since March, and it is now time for them all to return to the classroom.”

Where possible, pupils are being encouraged to walk, cycle or travel by car instead of using school transport.

Information has been sent to parents and pupils about the new government guidance when using school transport which includes:

• keeping face coverings on (if over the age of 11 and you can wear one)
• sitting in the same seat each day if possible
• facing the front and don’t turn round
• sitting with people in the same year group
• not shouting, talking loudly or singing
• avoiding touching anything other than your own things
• washing or sanitising hands when arriving at school or home.

A separate guide is available here for parents and pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities.

Councillor Alex Dale added: “We have now received the full guidance on school transport from the government and are encouraging pupils to travel safely to school by walking with someone, cycling, or in a car if they can.”

“Where this is not possible school transport will continue to be provided for pupils that are entitled to it and for those that pay to use it where available.”

“As we only received the full school transport guidance last week, and have not yet finished working through all the implications, it is likely that we will be putting on a small number of extra vehicles.”

Students will still receive a well-balanced nutritious meal, served to the same strict criteria set by the government. Meals will either be served as usual in school halls, or will be delivered to each classroom.  Derbyshire County Council has worked with all schools to find solutions that work for them.

Please note: all images were taken prior to the coronavirus pandemic.