Covid-19 Restart Safety Protocols July 2020
Covid-19 Guide
Purpose The goal of Brookes United Kingdom is to create a physical and emotional safe learning environment and workplace for students, teachers and staff. It is the intention of this document to provide the guidelines and procedures which must be followed and will be updated on a regular basis . This document will serve to ensure teachers and staff understand their responsibilities in maintaining a safe environment. Planning and Advisory Teams: This document was prepared by the Brookes United Kingdom Safety Committee and all questions and concerns should be submitted in writing to this committee. Brookes United Kingdom Safety Committee: Graham Eliis, Head of School David Rose, Director of United Kingdom Sam Turner Administration and Operations
References Boarding Schools’ Association, “Covid Safe Charter” UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/ UK Government: Education and Childcare
graham.ellis@brookescambridge.org drose@brookes.org sturner@uk.brookes.org
Table of Contents UK Health Measures.......................................................................4 Brookes UK Goals............................................................................7 Mass Gatherings and the Classoom.......................................8-9 Social and Physical Distancing Front Desk Bathrooms Dining Hall Gym Hallways Student Arrivals and Departures Classrooms Population Clusters Visitors to the School Entry and Exit Points
Students and Staff Health....................................................10-11 Good Personal Hygiene Daily Health Self-assessment Temperature Screening Procedures for those Showing Symptoms At Risk Populations Return to Canada Masks Social Emotional Well-being Laptops and Cell Phones
Cleaning and Disinfecting....................................................13-14 Daily Cleaning Disinfectant Solutions Ventilation Hand Sanitizer Shared Items in the School Furniture and Classroom/Office Supplies Desks Paper and Textbooks Student Supplies Water Fountains
Dining Hall and Lunches..............................................................14 Boarding Students Academics Meal Service Water and Beverages
Dormitories.....................................................................................16 Daily Health Check Dormitory Bubble Isolation Upon Arrival
Bus Transportation.......................................................................16 Bus Transportation to School Bus Transportation for Field Trips Cleaning Procedures
Communication..............................................................................19 Communication with Students Communication with Parents Communication with Teachers and Staff
Measures in place for Covid-19 • Brookes UK is in a safe, spacious and rural setting. It is not a city center school but is surrounded by fields and woodlands. Travel into urban centers is carefully restricted and currently is only available through a school provided bus service. • The coronavirus infection rates in Suffolk, where the school is located, remain amongst the lowest in England – with some parts of the county reporting less than one positive test result per 100,000 people. This compares with 8 cases per 100,000 in London and 140 cases per 100,000 in cities such as Leicester. • Brookes receives daily updates regarding air travel restrictions, UK entry and government guidance on school operations. • Students arriving in the UK are required to pass health checks initiated by the UK Border Agency. • Students are met at the airports by Brookes UK staff and are able to quarantine for the recommended 14 days either in the school or with guardians. • The school has undergone intensive cleaning and sanitisation and this is maintained on a daily basis with particular attention given to our boarding accommodation areas, classrooms, labs, kitchens, bathrooms and lavatories. • Safe distancing, frequent hand washing and personal sanitising, working in safe bubbles and reducing proximity are all part of the daily routines. • In the boarding accommodation numbers per bedroom are restricted and single occupancy is available. • The school has good links with local medical services including the well known West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. • All students receive Health Education as part of the programme and are aware of precautions that should be taken and all staff are trained to recognise symptoms and to know the necessary procedures that may need to be taken in the event of any risk.
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Covid-19 Guide
Goals in the Development of Protocols and Procedures To provide: • An environment which prevents (limits) the spread of COVID-19 and is safe for all students, teachers and staff. • Continuation of learning and support educational development of all students in an environment which is physically and emotionally safe and inspires learning. • An environment where students, teachers and staff are supported in mental health challenges during this pandemic. • Resources and procedures to ensure all understand and can implement the protocols developed by the Public Health England (PHE), National Health Service (NHS) advisory by the Independent Schools Council and the Department for Education (DfE). • To provide a clear understanding of their responsibilities and expectations to follow these guide lines. • An outline and schedule for regular and effective communication with teachers, staff, students and parents with current updates provided by the UK Government. • An outline of how the UK guidelines is applied to schools. The Public Health Authorities have determined that the virus behaves differently in children and these understandings have been used to provide guidance in school settings.
Return to School Stages At Brookes UK, we are very well prepared and we are ready to accept existing and new students back into school from September 3, 2020 in all age groups. Contact will be reduced and will include grouping children together, avoiding contact between groups, arranging classrooms with forward facing desks, staff maintaining distance from pupils and other staff as much as possible.
KEY POINTS • • • • • •
Social and Physical Distancing Personal Hygiene Cleaning and Disinfecting Quarantine and Self-isolation Mental Health Daily Health Checks
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Protocols and Procedures
1. Mass Gatherings and the Classroom The goal is to prevent gatherings of more than 50 students in one place. Government directives allow more than 50 students in the school as a whole at any given time. To ensure no more than 50 people are gathered in one place, our community will adhere to the following procedures:
1.1 Social and Physical Distancing
Procedures • Office staff to be stationed 2m apart. • Meetings conducted with social distancing rules. • Virtual meetings are encouraged. • Clear guidelines and protocols will be developed for each grade level of students. • Social distancing signs posted throughout the school and stop COVID-19 posters. • Physical distancing poster. • Distancing tape outside bathrooms and outside classrooms. • Arrows taped on floor to direct traffic flow. • Social distancing of younger students will not be required.
1.2 Front Desk
Procedures • Plexiglass barrier installed. • Taped lines to indicate spacing when students line up.
1.3
Bathrooms Procedures • Monitor assigned during break and lunch. • Only 3 students allowed in the bathrooms at one time.
1.4
Dining Hall Procedures • Break and lunch will be staggered to ensure no more than 50 students are in the Dining Hall at one time. • Break and lunchtime monitors. • Areas in the Dining Hall are divided into different grade level groups. • Required hand hygiene before and after meals. • Encouragement of students to eat outside as much as the weather permits.
1.5
Gym Procedures • Only sports which avoid close contact and sharing of equipment. • Equipment sterilized after use.
1.6
Hallways Procedures • One-way traffic marked. • Hallway monitors during breaks, arrival and departure.
1.7
Student Arrivals and Departures Procedures • Boarding students must arrive 2 days before school term. • Student must undergo 14 days in quarantine prior to beginning school. • Quarantine should be carried out with a guardian. • No one is allowed on campus if they are sick. • Daily Health Assessment will be completed by every student (boarding and day) coming onto campus. This will be directed by the school nurse. • A health checklist for assessment will be provided for all students from the BSA. • Dormitory staff will assist dorm students with checks. • Parents will support day students with checks. • Upon arrival students will be required to go outside or immediately to their classroom. We will monitor the use of the Dining Hall as a social space. • There will be monitors at each entrance upon arrival and departure. • Teachers in classrooms to monitor students as they arrive and exit the School.
1.8
Classrooms Procedures • Students will be dismissed in an orderly manner which supports social distancing. • Desks spaced 1-2 meters apart. • Clear delineation between teacher and student space. • Physical contact not allowed. • Social distancing encouraged. • Outdoor education encouraged. • P.E. classes will be conducted outside
1.9
Population Clusters Procedures • Every attempt will be made to isolate student clusters from each other. • In the event of an outbreak, this will facilitate contact tracing and identification of new cases. • Each grade level will be a cluster for the academic day and dormitory students are in clusters per floor.
1.10
Visitors to the School Procedures • All visitors are discouraged, including parents. • Visitors must have an appointment approved. • Parents cannot enter the building without an appointment. • Essential visitors poster will be posted at each entrance of the School.
1.11
Entry and Exit Points Procedures • Entry to the school will be monitored. • Anyone entering the School must complete a health self-assessment.
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Protocols and Procedures
2. Student and Staff Health The Public Health England (PHE), National Health Service (NHS), Independent Schools Council and the Department for Education (DfE) have made it very clear that one of the most important measures we can take is to stay at home when sick. Everyone will be required to perform a daily health self-assessment before being permitted onto the campus. All illness will be reported immediately to the Head of School. 2.1 Good Personal Hygiene
Procedures • Hand washing for 20 seconds upon arrival, departure and frequently during the day. • Hand hygiene schedule provided for younger students. • Hand sanitizers available in all classrooms, hallways, Dining Hall, and front foyer. • Hand hygiene signs will be posted throughout the School. • Each grade level will be instructed on personal hygiene. These lessons will include protocols for hand washing and respiratory hygiene. • The School Administration will provide lessons for all staff on personal hygiene and respiratory etiquette in the workplace. • Tissues will be available in all classrooms and office spaces. • All persons are required to attend to hand hygiene before and after meals and following bathroom use. 2.2 Daily Health Self-assessment
Procedures • Every parent will assess their child’s health prior to sending them to school for symptoms of the common cold or flu. • A self-assessment tool will be provided for parents and staff. No sick student or staff member will be allowed to attend school. 2.3
Temperature Screening Procedures • Monitors will be stationed at each entry door in the morning. • Temperature screening is not necessary. • Mask are not necessary, only on off-site trips.
2.4 Procedures for those Showing Symptoms
Students and Staff who are sick: • Parents should report any illness to the Head of School School Nurse via telephone or email. • Staff should notify the Head of School via email or telephone. Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms: • Day Students and Staff: There is a COVID-19 self-assessment available through the PHE and NHS. In addition, call 0800 046 8687 for further advice. Diagnosed Case of COVID-19 in the School: • Guidance from the public health authorities will be followed. Contact with COVID-19: • Anyone in our school community who has been in contact with a person testing positive to COVID-19 will be referred to the PHE and NHS. • Self-isolation will be required for 14 days. • Students are required to isolate with a guardian or at the boarding house prior to the return of school.
Covid-19 Guide
2.5
At Risk Populations Procedures: • All immune compromised students will be identified. • Public health authorities will provide masks as necessary. • All elderly staff (over the age of 65) will be identified and provided with guidance to ensure they are working in a safe environment.
2.6
Return to the United Kingdom Procedures • Anyone returning to the UK will be required to quarantine for 14 days prior to attending classes. • Students are strongly encouraged to review the school protocols and guidelines before entering the country. Students will be required to provide specific information to immigration. Please have on hand; school letter of acceptance, school quarantine protocols (this booklet), letter guaranteeing custodianship, results for a Covd-19 test done within the week of arrial to the UK. • Where flights to the UK are possible, students may enter as normal but should be prepared to quarantine for 14 days (this may be reduced to 10 days). • Students arriving from Mexico and Brazil with direct flights (not going through Europe), are allowed to stay in the UK up to 3.5 months without a study permit (General Tier 4). The UK has a list of countries where students travelling from are exempt from quarantine: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
2.7
Masks Procedures • It is recommended for staff and students in a school setting to wear a mask. • Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not a government recommendatioin but masks will be worn by all on any off-site visit.
2.8
Social Emotional Well-being Procedures • Teachers will monitor the social emotional well-being of all children. • Grade level leaders and their team will identify students exhibiting concerns and will report to Administration. • Counselling services will be available for students who require support. • Administration will monitor teachers and staff well-being and provide counselling services when needed.
2.9
Laptops and Cell Phones Procedures • No sharing of laptops or cell phones. • Any laboratory equipment will need to be disinfected between users.
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Covid-19 Guide
3. Cleaning and Disinfecting the Environment 3.1 Daily Cleaning
Procedures • One deep clean of the School every day. • Two cleanings of high touch surfaces every day. This will include all door handles and bathroom sinks. • Bathrooms deep cleaned twice per day. • Garbage emptied daily. 3.2 Disinfectant Solutions
Procedures • Each classroom/office will be provided with a bottle of disinfectant and paper towels. • Body fluids need to be disinfected with a stronger solution which is available through the School Safety Committee. 3.3 Ventilation
Procedures • Keep windows open as much as possible. • Spending as much time as possible outside. 3.4 Hand Sanitizer
Procedures • 60% alcohol based sanitizer found throughout the School and in every classroom. • Required at the each entry to the school. 3.5 Shared Items in the School
Procedures • Water fountains disabled. • photocopiers cleaned 2 times a day. • Hand sanitizer available. • Disposable wipes available for cleaning between users. • Elevator-hand sanitizer at both entrances to elevator. 3.6 Furniture and Classroom/Office supplies
Procedures • Limit the use of furniture which cannot be cleaned. • Avoid items in the classroom which cannot be cleaned. (magazines, toys, supplies) No sharing personal items. 3.7 Desks
Procedures • Where possible, there will be no sharing of desks. • Where possible, Students will be scheduled into one classroom for the day.
3.8 Paper and Textbooks
Procedures • There is no evidence COVID-19 is spread via paper/textbooks.
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Protocols and Procedures
Covid-19 Guide
3.9 Student Supplies
Procedures • Classroom supplies such as rulers, erasers, and staplers should not be shared. • Students will be advised to bring their own supplies. 3.10 Water Fountains
Procedures • All water fountains are disabled. • Refillable water bottles only.
4. Dining Hall and Lunches 4.1 Boarding Students
Procedures • Students will eat breakfast and dinner in their dormitory bubble of 6-10 students. • Meals will be delivered to rooms during the 14-day isolation that international students are required to complete. 4.2 Academics
Procedures • Mealtimes will be staggered to reduce the number of students in the Dining Hall at any given time. Group 1: Pre-K - Grade 1 students Group 2: Grade 2-5 students Group 3: Grade 7-11 students 4.3
Meal Service Procedures • Our food service company will prepare meals. Individually packaged food will be provided if restric- tions are increased. • The buffet service is suspended.
4.4 Water and Beverages
Procedures • All students should bring their own water bottle which can be refilled. • No drinking directly from water fountains is allowed.
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Covid-19 Guide
5. Dormitories 5.1 Daily Health Check
Procedures • Under the direction of the school nurse, all boarding students will complete a daily health assessment provided by the BSA. No one will be allowed to attend class who is sick. • A checklist will be provided to dormitory staff and students which will provide the criteria and necessary health assessments. • Students who do not pass the health check will be sent to the nurse for further assessment. 5.2 Dormitory Bubble
Procedures • Students will be kept in bubbles of 6-10 students in the dormitories. • Each dormitory floor is a single bubble. • Until the number of boarders increases, there will be one student per room. We anticipate this situation will change in January and students will have one roommate. • Students will avoid contact with students outside their bubble. • Mealtimes in the Dining Hall will be staggered to ensure physical distancing is maintained between the dormitory bubbles. 5.3 Isolation Upon Arrival
Procedures • All International students will be required to quarantine in the dormitories or with a guardia- for 14 days. • Student will not be allowed contact with others during this time. • Dormitory staff will be available to support students and ensure their needs are met on a daily basis. • Meals will be delivered directly to student rooms when students are in isolation. • Teachers will be on campus during the isolation and students may contact teachers for academic support via email or teams. • We will support student social and emotional needs via Teams. • All students will be monitored frequently during the day.
6. Bus Transportation 6.1 Bus Transportation to School
Procedures • Students are encouraged to use private transportation. • Students will be assigned a specific seat on the bus. • Students will be spaced apart as much as possible on the bus. 6.2 Bus Transportation for Field Trips
Procedures • Brookes UK is in a safe, spacious and rural setting. It is not a city center school but is surrounded by fields and woodlands. Travel into urban centers is carefully restricted and currently is only available through a school provided bus service. • Field trips requiring bus transportation will be discouraged until further notice. 6.3 Cleaning Procedures
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Procedures • Buses will be thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis. • High touch surface areas will be cleaned twice per day.
Protocols and Procedures
Covid-19 Guide
7. Communication 7.1 Communication with Students
Procedures • Orientation and training will provide detailed support. • Students will be provided with regular guidance in following the procedures outlined in this document. • Regular updated information will be provided regarding hand hygiene and physical distancing. 7.2 Communication with Parents
Procedures • A parent handbook (digital) will be provided for parents.
7.3 Communication with Teachers and Staff
Procedures • Orientation and training before school begins will provide detailed support. • Teachers will be provided with guidelines and protocols in order to effectively follow the procedures outlines in this document.
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Your Success We are deeply committed to providing the best education we possibly can within the bounds of the current global crisis. We will do everything possible to support our students in their educational journey with us.
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