Welcome back! Schools and colleges are welcoming back all our children and young people as they return.
Throughout the summer our schools, their operational staff and teachers have been working hard to make sure that your schools and colleges are as safe as possible for the new school term.
Schools have had to complete thorough risk assessments and are following the latest advice and guidance from Government and Public Health England.
We know that things will feel very different this term, some children and young people may have not attended school physically for some time and so it’s important that we help them prepare for these changes.
We’ve created this web page to help young people and parents understand what changes to the school day might look like, although every school will be different.
A welcome back message from Rosie Peters and Elena Hough, Deputy Heads at Wendell Park
A message from Liz Whittaker, Clinical Lecturer and Consultant Paediatrician at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
A back to school message from Tanyaa Shirley, Principal social worker
A back to school message from Hammersmith Academy - Hammersmith Academy is just one of the schools in Hammersmith & Fulham who have been busy preparing for students to return safely to school. Watch Head teacher, Mr Kynaston's welcome back message https://vimeo.com/454392778
Welcome back to school - information booklet for parents and carers (pdf)
Guidance also available in
- Arabic (pdf)
- Bengali (pdf)
- Chinese – traditional (pdf)
- Chinese – simplified (pdf)
- French (pdf)
- Gujarati (pdf)
- Polish (pdf)
- Portuguese (pdf)
- Punjabi (pdf)
- Romany (pdf)
- Somali (pdf)
- Turkish (pdf)
- Urdu (pdf)
Bubbles
For those who haven’t been at school for quite a while, things will look a bit different.
The most obvious thing is that pupils will not be taught in their usual form groups, but in smaller ‘bubbles’. This is to keep the numbers in close contact to a minimum, in order to minimise the risks for everyone.
We’re all used to social distancing by now, and there will be some of that in schools. But there will also be additional wash stations, and lots of signage to remind pupils and staff of the best ways to stay safe.
Getting to school
In our town centres, we’ve reallocated road space so that pedestrians and cyclists can feel safer getting to school as the wider pavements will have more space for social distancing.
We’ve also added fully segregated cycle lanes to protect riders along King Street, Hammersmith Road and around the gyratory in Hammersmith, as well as on Uxbridge Road and alongside Shepherds Bush Green.
All H&F schools have ‘travel plans’ which encourage active, sustainable travel like walking, cycling and scooting.
We’ve also been working closely with 13 schools across the borough explore the possibility of introducing new ‘school streets’ this September. These schemes stop cars from using roads immediately outside the school during the peak drop-off and pick-up times.
COVID-19 infrastructure changes make cycling and walking to school easier and safer
This will also help improve local air quality and reduce congestion and make it both safer and more appealing for students to walk or cycle to school. To help with this, we’ll also be delivering cycle training sessions for adults and school children from September.
Public transport
If you’re taking public transport, riders over the age of 11 are required to wear a face covering when using public transport services (including school services) or stations, or taxi and private hire services, unless they are exempt on health or equality grounds.
Transport for London advise anyone exempt from wearing a face covering to carry an exemption card. For more details please see TfL - face coverings.
Please carry hand sanitiser and wash your hands before and after you travel.
Find out about Transport for London's plans to help schools and colleges reopen safely at TfL - travel guidance for schools.
TfL introduce extra buses after closure of Hammersmith Bridge
New safety routines tested in summer
Schools have been helping children prepare for their return to the classroom with a programme of summer camps.
Students with additional needs who are moving to secondary school attended summer camp at their new schools, giving them the opportunity to make new friends, adjust to their new school environment and familiarise themselves with the COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Children of keyworkers and young people in need also took part in fun activity-packed camps that eased them back into their school environments. They were able to practise new social distancing protocols and understand what a normal school day will look like come September.
The summer camps programme has reassured parents of the health and safety practices that will be in place when school re-open.
Shielding?
If you, or anyone in your household has been shielding, then you will know about all the additional precautions that are advised.
Schools will maintain close communication with the families of pupils, where there is an increased risk factor.
We want our schools to be as safe as possible for everyone.
Avoid a second lockdown
Help us avoid a miserable second lockdown by following these easy rules:
- maintain social distance
- wear a mask or face covering in crowded places
- wash your hands regularly
- stay home if you are unwell with a fever and contact NHS 119 for a COVID-19 test.
More information about coronavirus (COVID-19)
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