A headteacher has called for penalties for not sending children back to school to be re-introduced by half term “at the latest”.
Chloe Ford, headteacher at Meadowlane Primary in Cardiff said it was “fair” not to have penalties immediately so parents and carers could see how safety measures were working, but after that all children should be back in the classroom.
“There won’t be penalties for not sending children to school initially, and I think that’s fair but I think that after children are back a few weeks and schools have been given an opportunity to engage with their parents I do think there comes a point where penalties should be brought in. I would say by half term at the latest.”
Welsh Government guidance on schools re-opening in September, published in July, says parents won’t be penalised for not sending their children into school but this will be reviewed after half term. A Welsh Government spokesman said there was no change on the policy but it was being kept under review.
Some heads fear this sends mixed messages that schools are not safe.
Jane Jenkins, head of Moorland Primary in Cardiff and chair of Cardiff Primary Heads Association, has previously said she is "disappointed" there are no penalties.
"We will be asking parents why their children are not coming in and have been actively doing that already. The announcement undermines the message that school is a safe place to be," she said after the Education Minister announced there would be no penalties in back to school guidance published in July.
She said she would support children with sound medical reasons for not coming in but warned: "I have no intention of providing home learning for children staying at home for no good reason. I don't think it's fair. Home learning is a huge commitment from staff."
As she prepared to welcome staff in tomorrow and children on Thursday Mrs Ford said she “can’t wait” to see everyone.
And she has decided not to wait until the permitted date of September 14 to have all 340 pupils back in full time if they want. All her year one to six pupils can return on September 3 and reception on September 7.
When it announced schools would be re-opening the Welsh Government gave schools two weeks leeway to prioritise key years and finalise arrangements before saying all pupils should be back full-time from September 14.
Mrs Ford said: “My staff are all back on Tuesday, September 1, to do all the final health and safety checks.
“Then, on Thursday (SEPT 3) all our year ones to year sixes are back in. We will not be waiting until September 14 - definitely not.
“We decided if they are coming back there is no point waiting. They have had long enough out of school. We just want them back in. We are set up and ready and there’s no point waiting.”
Her reception pupils will start later on September 7.
“Some schools are making reception a priority but our reception goes in with year ones so we thought we would settle year ones in first and they are a little bit older and can give reception support when they come in.”
Mrs Ford said she was confident they had done all they could to keep staff and pupils as safe as possible. Changes include extending start and finish times so everyone doesn’t leave and arrive at once, class “bubbles”, more cleaning, two metre distance hearts painted on the yard and older children eating packed lunch in their classrooms. The school canteen won’t re-open until later this month.
“It’s been such a long time out of school. We have not seen some of our children for six months. Being open for three weeks before the end of the summer term was wonderful. It was so lovely to see some of them then and really helpful because parents who had decided not to send their children in could see how safe it was.
“We can’t wait to see them this week. We are so excited.
“I believe there will be some parents who will not bring their children back, but I don’t know how many.”
Her 36 members of staff will be given the option to wear face coverings, but she believes most won’t.
“I am not asking staff to wear masks. If they want to I understand and agree to that. I have had a number of staff shielding and for them it’s a very anxious time. I believe most staff will choose not to wear a mask.”
Julian Kennedy, head teacher of Dyffryn Taf Comprehensive in Whitland, Carmarthenshire, is also looking forward to seeing more of his 900 pupils return this Thursday (SEPT 3).
He said communicating well with families would be essential as he outlined some of the changes at his 11-18 school.
“We see ourselves as an open, welcoming and inclusive school and that will continue. We will be as normal as we can but things will be different and we are asking families to work with us. We are confident we will offer a positive and safe environment.
“We have a strong sports and drama culture. In terms of PE lessons we are looking at non-contact sport such as cross country running and fitness. We have a very well equipped gym. We won’t be able to use it for lessons but will use it for extra curricular work.
“We can’t plan sports fixtures yet but we do look to a return because competitive sport is an important part of school.
“One of the highlights of the year is our annual drama production. We are doing a virtual production online of Bugsy Malone which we are hoping will be in December,
“Events like parents evenings and open evenings are on hold. Some will move online.
“As for exams, we will be ready for whatever is needed of us, We are prepared for a full exam season and that’s what we’ll be teaching towards.
“The WJEC has issued guidance on what has been removed from the exams and we are gearing up for socially distanced exams or Centre Assessed Grades.”
He said there were “some potential pitfalls” requiring pupils to wear masks in communal areas.
“We have to be conscious of the cost if families are struggling financially.
“I’m not concerned about compliance but there are human error pitfalls. Children will forget and there is also the issue of disposal and one off use masks. And we have to think about pupils with legitimate medical exemptions. For me it’s all about communication with families.”
