Back to School – Prep School FAQs | Prep School Surrey | Surbiton High School
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Back to School – Prep School FAQs

Welcome back to the Surbiton High Boys’ Prep and Girls’ Prep School. Below you will find answers to a number of the questions you may have about your child starting or returning to School. We aim to ensure the processes in place provide a safe return to school.

WILL THE BOYS AND GIRLS STILL HAVE ASSEMBLIES?

Both the boys and girls assemblies will continue to take place and most of these will continue to be virtual, however we will be exploring how we can possibly do these as year group assemblies and then sending these out as videos on Teams.

WILL THE CHILDREN HAVE A DESIGNATED SEAT IN THE CLASSROOM AND AT LUNCHTIME AND WILL THIS BE FOR THE WHOLE TERM?

At the moment all pupils will have a designated seat in their form rooms and in the SAR due to keeping in line with Public Health England. For consistency, the pupils will remain in their designated seats at least until half term when we review this again.

WILL THE CHILDREN STAY IN THE CLASSROOMS ALL DAY AND HAVE DIFFERENT TEACHERS FOR LESSONS?

A majority of their lessons will be in the same classrooms and it will be the teachers that will be moving around. All the classrooms will be well ventilated and lit, however they will still move to other rooms for lessons such as Art and DT and these will then be deep cleaned before the next class.

WILL THE CRÈCHE STILL BE RUNNING?

The creche will not be taking place and instead pupils will be able to attend After School Club and you will be able to book this in the normal way.

WHY IS AFTER SCHOOL CLUB OKAY TO RUN BUT NOT CRÈCHE?

The difference with After School Club is that they will go off into their various bubbles and still stick to their year groups bubbles. Whereas a crèche would be one big bubble and would not work with all other guidelines in place around the School.

WILL YOU BE CHECKING PUPIL AND STAFF TEMPERATURES?

It is not required as a part of the government guidelines to take any pupils or staff members temperature.

WILL THE GIRLS BE ABLE TO VISIT THE LIBRARY AND BORROW BOOKS TO TAKE HOME?

Yes we encourage those wanting to read to head over to the library and get stuck back into reading.

HOW WILL MUSIC LESSONS, CHOIRS AND ENSEMBLES WORK?

The normal curriculum lessons for these will continue to take place and we are aiming to continue to run choirs and ensembles without the year groups mixing. One-to-one music lessons are set to take place and we will have screens between the music teacher and pupil where possible. Our enhanced cleaning team will ensure music rooms are suitable for pupils to continue their music education.

WILL PARENTING EVENTS NOW BE MOVED ONLINE?

At the moment we cannot have groups of adults onsite unfortunately like we normally do. However the Parents Association are a fantastic organisation and we are positive they will come up with new and unique ways for parents to interact while we are in these unprecedented times.

ARE MASKS REQUIRED TO BE WORN?

There is no requirement for any pupil or staff member to wear a mask and/or gloves. However, if you feel safer and more comfortable wearing a mask – you are allowed to do so.

WILL THE YEAR 6 ISLE OF WIGHT RESIDENTIAL TRIP GO AHEAD?

As it currently stands, the government advice is that all and any trips cannot take place. However, this trip is not until May 2021 and government advice may change next year to allow this trip to take place.

WILL SCHOOL OUTINGS TO MUSEUMS AND DAY TRIPS STILL RUN THIS TERM?

We have not booked anything for the first few weeks back at School, however both Prep Schools will weigh-up the educational merit for any upcoming trips available and seek out the appropriate actions according to the government guidelines.

WHAT DOES A REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCH MEAN? WHAT IS INCLUDED?

There will be no buffet option and plastic cutlery will be given out to help prevent any mixing and reduce the amount of time taken in the servery.

HOW WILL BREAK AND LUNCHTIMES WORK? WILL THEY BE STAGGERED?

Both the Boys’ Prep and Girls’ Prep breaks will be staggered to minimise the chances of pupils being outside at the same time. These will be at different times of the day so they will not be coming into contact with each other. Within this we will separate out different areas of the playground so the children have lots of space to play and are not coming together with children in other year groups.

WILL SPORTS STILL BE VIRTUAL?

All PE and Games lessons will take place, with pupils remaining in their year group bubbles. To facilitate the ease of changing, we ask that, on days when pupils have Physical Education or Games, they arrive in their PE kit. Spare Kit/uniform will be needed if the weather is inclement.

WHEN WILL THE PUPILS BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN MATCHES AGAINST OTHER SCHOOLS?

Fixtures against other schools and year groups are not permitted in the School setting for the time being. We shall, of course, update this when the guidelines are changed.