In line with direction from the government, there will be a phased reopening of Barnet primary and nursery schools for some year groups from the week commencing Monday 1 June.
Back to school
Over the next two weeks, schools will begin to admit children in nursery, reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes. The safety of pupils is the number one priority for the council and for schools.
Not all schools will open immediately from 1 June and arrangements for how and when reopening will take place will vary from school to school. Many schools will start by opening to one or two year groups and will open to the other year groups later. A majority have decided that the safest way to phase in extra pupils is by operating a rota system for pupils in some or all year groups, e.g. so that half the pupils attend for the first part of the week and the other half over the second half of the week.
Therefore, parents and carers should check the date and arrangements for reopening with their child’s school.
Each school has carried out a thorough risk assessment to determine their individual plans and to ensure learning spaces are as safe as possible before reopening.
Preparations have taken account of things like the layout of school buildings, availability of staff and the age groups being taught. Headteachers have also worked with school staff, governors, unions and parents in formulating their plans.
Schools will continue to be open for the children of key workers and for vulnerable children.
Secondary schools have been asked by the government to extend their provision from 15 June to provide Year 10 and Year 12 pupils with some face-to-face time.
Barnet Council Leader, Councillor Dan Thomas, said: “Barnet’s schools have worked tremendously hard throughout the pandemic to stay open when possible to provide places for children of key workers and vulnerable children.
“Primary and nursery schools will now be starting a phased reopening from 1 June for some year groups with safety being the absolute priority for headteachers in deciding how and when to open.
“Not all schools will open immediately and arrangements will vary from school to school. For example, many schools will begin with a rota system for pupils, so we are asking that parents contact their child’s school to check arrangements.
“With support from the council, schools have undertaken a great deal of work to assess potential risks of more children returning to school and to put in place all the necessary measures to ensure learning spaces are as safe as possible. I would like to express my thanks to school staff for all of their hard work and dedication during this time.”