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COVID-19 Risk assessment – Opening schools – Eastfield Academy from 5th January 2021Version 2 28.01.21 – amendments in redVersion 3 05.02.21– amendments in greenThe Government has asked schools to adhere to the following:From Tuesday 5th January 2021, we have been asked to only open to EYFS (excluding reception), vulnerable children and children of critical workers who need to send theirchildren into school to enable them to carry out their role. The list of who may access school at this time can be found here.The risk assessment below sets out the known hazards and importantly controls that have been advised either by the Government/DfE in their guidance published on Thursday7th January entitled Restricting Attendance During The National Lockdown: SchoolsThere are some specific issues that are addressed in the risk assessment but for clarity please read the following Government advice to schools:Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face covering and face masks:1. Wearing a face covering or facemask in schools or other education settings is recommended except when in the classroom.2. Face coverings (or any form of medical mask where instructed to be used for specific clinical reasons) should not be worn in any circumstance bythose who may not be able to handle them as directed (for example, young children, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) as itmay inadvertently increase the risk of transmission.3. The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need for their work, even if they are not alwaysable to maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases including:1. Children, young people and pupils whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs should continueto receive their care in the same way2. If a child, young person or other learner becomes unwell with symptoms of coronavirus while in their setting and needs direct personalcare until they can return home, a facemask should be worn by the supervising adult if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained. Ifcontact with the child or young person is necessary, then gloves, an apron and a facemask should be worn by the supervising adult. If a riskassessment determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then eye protectionshould also be worn.Please note:The NEU advises its members that staff in special schools, where pupils cannot socially distance and need personal care and support with hygiene measures, shouldwear PPE at all times when working with children and young people.
Where PPE is required, the following is a general checklist for1.2.3.4.5.PPE management:Communicate suitable information to pupils, parents and carers on what to expect in relation to staff wearing additional PPE;Ensure training is provided to the relevant staff on how to correctly put on and wear items of PPE, when it should be replaced throughoutthe day and how it should be disposed of properly;Ensure that where a need for disposable half facemasks that provide a higher level of protection (e.g. disposable FFP3 masks and reusablehalf masks) is identified. Employees will be trained, when to use them, and how to wear them and dispose of safely. (And how this will be applied to staff who havefacial hair);Identify staff that have relevant pre-existing medical conditions which may restrict or prevent some workers wearing certain types of PPEand clarify how this will be managed. (E.g: asthma or skin allergies);Ensure a maintained stock of all identified items of PPE, including a contingency surplus, is available to ensure that the identified additionalcontrols can be sustained throughout the phased return period and into full occupation of each school building until such a time that controlmeasures can be reviewed and reduced accordingly.Additional considerations for planning to re-open schools to more pupils and staff:The NASUWT has provided some additional information for its members that schools could consider, these are outlined below and at the followinglink: e academy has considered further measures and areas during the completion of the initial risk assessment and will continue to do so as the assessment is reviewedduring the daily occupation of the school at this time, individual risk assessments are undertaken and documented where identified as required. This includes assessing theavailability of staff for all activities during the school day, including lunchtime, break supervision (should these be required if opening plans become more extensive and fulltime), and to provide support for pupils with special or additional needs, taking into account the following: Staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not be in school at this time; Staff who are 28 weeks pregnant should not be in school at this time; Staff who have underlying medical conditions (as defined in government guidance); Staff who are in a household where someone is shielding; Staff who are self-isolating, and staff on maternity or any other form of leave, and will, therefore, not be available for work; The availability of supply staff to cover any vacancies or long-term absences.Individual risk assessments for specific pupils have been reviewed to ensure they include provision for safe practice during this time and taking into account the risk ofcoronavirus. This may include additional assessments of pupils who previously were not assessed to need one. This may include the following pupils, where they should be inschool or completion of a risk assessment informs the decision of whether they should be in school:
All pupils with an EHCP;Pupils who have advised by a clinician to wear a mask for medical reasons;Pupils who have not previously needed a risk assessment but who in the new circumstances may pose a risk;Pupils who need specific care, which cannot be delivered whilst ensuring social distancing;Potentially violent pupils, especially those with known risk of spitting and or requiring physical restraint.Health, academic, pastoral and safeguarding issues should all be considered during the completion of risk assessments for pupils.Covid-19 Testing:As essential workers, Support and Teaching staff can apply for a covid-19 test on the government portal or the school can arrange the test on theirbehalf: https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test .This COVID19: Risk Assessment and Action Plan document sets out the decisions taken and measures put in place to prepare for the phased re-opening of the school and ensurethe school continues to operate in a safe way.NB Primary testing using Lateral Flow Devices has commenced at Eastfield Academy, please see separate risk assessment: Eastfield Academy Home Lateral Device Testing RiskAssessmentExisting policies and guidance continue to apply alongside the actions within this document, including but not limited to: Health and Safety PolicyFirst Aid PolicyChild Protection PolicyCYP Response PlanDFE Guidance relating to COVID19Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013The Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010Public Health England (PHE) (2017) ‘Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities’
Health and Safety Risk Assessment – COVID-19SchoolEastfield AcademySubject of AssessmentCOVID-19 Measures – Third national lockdown 5th January 2021Conducted byPrincipal, SLT, Site ManagerDetails of workplace/activityPupils and employees partaking in schoolbased activities within the schoolpremises, including classroomactivities, dining (where applicable),break-times & outside space, pick-up anddrop off (where applicable), First aid andexternal visitors to the school.NumberHazards and RisksRisk Level Prior toControl MeasuresS x P RR1.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tointeraction with aperson who hassymptoms of the5420Site (s)All school buildings are on one siteDate11.01.21V2 28.01.21Persons Affected(Who may be harmed)Pupils, Employees, Contractors and Visitors (including parents and ITT students).Control MeasuresRisk Level AfterControl MeasuresRRS x P RR- The school has informed parents and carers that they should only request aplace for their child at this time if they are vulnerable or are the children ofcritical workers who require a place in order to carry out their role. Thosechildren who do not attend school at this time will be provided with remotelearning.5210RRMEDIFurther ActionRequired? Y/N(If Y, seeactions)
disease, a personwho may beasymptomatic orlack of information.- Staff should work from home if feasible, whilst recognising that the majorityof staff will be required to remain in school to ensure adequate supervisionof pupils. Staff who are 28 weeks pregnant or clinically extremelyvulnerable will not be required to come into school and should be shieldingat this time in accordance with government advice.- The school has informed parents, pupils, carers, employees and visitors notto enter the school if they are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus orhave been advised to self-isolate (following the COVID-19 guidance forhouseholds with possible coronavirus infection); regular reminders and linksto updated government guidance are provided for parents via MCAS anddisplayed on the academy website;- Staff working on site given refresher training on the social distancingmeasures in place within the first week of term.- Parents whose children will continue to attend receive guidance on schooltimes for their child and protocols set out for attending the school i.e. shouldremain 2m apart from others, should follow staff members’ instruction andshould not congregate outside the school;- Parents whose children will continue to attend issued specific schoolprotocols for school attendance for them to explain to their children;- Parents of SEN pupils or those with care plans are individually consulted inorder that plans are reviewed to include any new safety measures – with allEHCP pupils having individual risk assessment;- Staff are briefed and consulted on school procedures at this time.- Employees have had refresher training and briefing regarding infectioncontrol and school protocols during the first week of term;- New employees including any peripatetic staff and ITT placements havebeen fully consulted on the current risk assessment and have been given fulltraining on all mitigations currently in place to reduce the risk of transmissionUM
of the virus.- Staff are up to date on other related guidance and support in relation tothemselves and pupils such as stress and wellbeing including: Guidance forparents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental healthand wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic- Staying Safe at Work poster displayed in all staff rest areas.- Start and finish times staggered /use of different entries and exits whererequired.- Parents/carers advised to minimise attendance to the playground andwhere possible only one adult per family to attend.2.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of socialdistancingmeasures duringthe school dayincluding:- Drop off / entryof the school.- Picking up /leaving the school- Parents/carers required to wear a face covering whilst on school site unlesshave an exemption.5420HIGH- Pupils are required to complete hand sanitising or washing on entry to theschool;- Entrance doors are held open, reducing the number of occupants touchingthe doors; NB. Fire doors must be immediately closed after entry / exit.- Entrances will be manned by a member of staff during the designated startand finish times;- Hand sanitiser points are located at all entrances to the school. Alloccupants are required to wash their hands (soap/water or hand sanitiser) onentry to the school; signs will be clearly visible on entrance to remind pupilsto do this;- Good hand washing signage and instruction for pupils how to do thiseffectively is displayed.5210MEDIUM
Each pupil will be assigned to a ‘bubble’.There will be no assembly of more than one ‘bubble’ of pupils.Early years staff to pupil ratio:- In accordance with the early year’s framework classsizes for early years will adhere to the following:- Children under two – one adult for every three children3.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of socialdistancingmeasures duringthe school dayincluding:- Classroom use /activities.- Children aged two – 1 adult for every 4 children- Children three or four –1 adult for every 8 children or for every 13 childrenif a teacher or other suitably qualified adult is in attendance.5420HIGH- The timetable has been reviewed to decide which lessons or activities canbe delivered to reduce movement around the school;5- Bubble sizes should be kept as small as is reasonably possible whilstallowing all eligible children to access a full-time school place as required, atleast 1 adult and second if required (specific needs of class);- Bubble size should ideally not exceed 15 and sizes in excess of 20 should beminimised as much as possible;- Pupils are kept in small groups as they cannot socially distance themselvesat all times;- The class group will not interact with other groups within lesson time;- Hand washing is completed on entrance to the class and between specificactivities;- Pupils are allocated resources and are not permitted to share;- Pupils are regularly reminded not to touch their or other pupils faces;210MEDIUM
- Classroom furniture has been reduced. Displays, unnecessary cupboardsand soft furnishings, soft toys and those with intricate parts have beenremoved and are not permitted. This is designed to enable successful andeffective cleaning of all surfaces;- Where possible, classes/activities involving a high degree of movement willbe completed outside;- Play equipment will be used in rotation. Equipment is cleaned before use byeach designated class group;- Pupils’ tables and chairs will be arranged so that they sit side-by-side facingforwards wherever possible rather than face-to-face or side on.- Staff movement between ‘bubbles’ is minimised as much as possible andsocial distancing measures are in place to minimise person to person contact,particularly adult to adult. However, it is recognised that some staff will berequired to work with children from more than one bubble. Staff will betrained in the procedures required specific to that job role to ensure thatprotective measures are adhered to.- Adults working together within a room should endeavour to keep to 2msocial distancing between themselves at all times wherever possible. Theyshould also attempt to minimise the amount of time that they are less than2m from pupils, although it is recognised that there will be occasions whenthis is necessary in order to support a pupil.- The timetable has been reviewed to facilitate cleaning/rest time for sharedresources between each ‘bubble’ and to reduce movement around theschool.4.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of socialdistancing5420HIGHDining:- Pupils have packed lunches or are delivered school lunches to designatedclassrooms in fully disposable packaging;5315MEDI
measures duringthe school dayincluding:- Dining;- Moving aroundthe school;- Break-time /playgrounds.- Any non-disposable cutlery is thoroughly washed by catering staff/classroom staff prior to re-use.- Tables are wiped clean with appropriate disinfectant before and after lunch,if there is gross contamination/food debris this is removed prior todisinfection;- Pupils will clean hands before and after eating lunch in the classroom.Moving around the school:- Movement to different areas within the schools is reduced as much aspossible;- Suitable external doors are used to move pupils from one area to another.Effectively creating external corridors in the open air;- Where possible, all spaces are well ventilated using natural ventilation(opening windows) or ventilation units, whilst maintaining a reasonabletemperature;- Where adequate social distancing cannot be maintained in communalareas/corridors, staff and visitors must wear face coverings unless exempt.- Corridors are kept as clear as possible;- Corridors that cannot provide 2m separation (although passing in thecorridor is deemed low risk) are designated one way where possible;- Corridor movement will be organised to minimise contact using mitigationssuch as signage to indicate which side to walk on or one-way systems.- Times are allocated for each class where necessary to reduce the need topass one another in open spacesBreak-times / playgrounds:UM
- Separate times or areas (at a safe distance using government guidance) areissued for each separate class group.- Pupils are only permitted to complete suitable activities with their classgroup;- Due to potential issues with reduced numbers of staff and trained firstaiders, playground activities are strictly controlled with structured play.Rough play is prevented;- Daily inspection and enhanced cleaning programs in place for external areasand equipment in EYFS;- Equipment is cleaned by classroom staff before use by each designated classgroup;- Classroom staff will ensure that equipment is cleaned after use by each classgroup;- Outside play equipment and toys have been reduced;- This is designed to enable successful and effective cleaning of all outsidetoys / play equipment.Staff and parents are encouraged to use education resources such as e-bugand PHE schools resources;5.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of handwashing andgeneral poorhygiene.5420HIGH- Hand washing/sanitising station is positioned at pupil, staff and visitorentrances to the school;- All those entering the school are required to wash/sanitise their hands;- Hand washing/sanitising stations are located on each floor, within eachclassroom etc.- Hand washing sinks are located within each toilet provision;5210MEDIUM
- Signage is located adjacent to each wash station or sink remindingoccupants to wash their hands and how to do it effectively;- Pupils and staff have been shown how to wash hands properly and this isregularly repeated;- Help is available for children and young people who have trouble cleaningtheir hands independently;- Hand washing/sanitising is recommended frequently and required at thefollowing times: Entry and exit from the school; After using the toilet; Before entering the dining hall; Before and after eating; On entry and exit from each classroom; After outdoor activities; After coughing/sneezing.- Unnecessary touching of the face is discouraged.- Teachers will remind pupils to use tissues and bin them once used. If tissuesare not readily available exactly when needed occupants are reminded tocough or sneeze into their arm;- Toilets and wash stations have single use paper towels for drying hands orair dryers.- Catch it, Kill it, Bin it campaign used to teach and encourage all to usetissues where possible and dispose of immediately or where not quicklyaccessible cough or sneeze into inner elbow. Posters dis[played as reminders- Tissues available in all classrooms and work areas with bins available forimmediate disposal
The school has implemented additional cleaning regimes. This includes thefollowing:- Frequent cleaning of classrooms, toilets, common areas and dining halls;- Toilets will be cleaned by the cleaning team using approved cleaningproducts, this is monitored by the Site Supervisor and any concerns raisedwith cleaners and Headteacher;- Frequent cleaning of all touched surfaces, such as door handles, handrails,tabletops, play equipment and toys.6.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of adequatecleaning measures.5420HIGH10MEDIUM10MEDIUM- Classrooms furniture and soft furnishings have been reduced in order toimprove the ability to effectively clean;52- Common areas will be cleaned once a day;- Equipment used by the pupils and staff will suitably cleaned at the end ofeach day or before it is used by another person;- Any contamination of an area due to bodily fluids such as vomit, urine,feaces, blood or mucous secretions will be immediately cleared up andcleaned with the first staff member on scene taking responsibility forensuring that this happens as quickly as possible.- If an area is suspected to have been contaminated by coronavirus (apositive case is detected for an occupant of a classroom), the room will becleaned as per the guidance set on COVID-19: Cleaning in Non-HealthcareSettings- Employees are required to conform with social distancing requirements;7.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of socialdistancingmeasures. In5420HIGH-All staff will be required to record, on a daily basis, any close contact thatthey have had with other pupils or staff and who they have worked with, ifthat is outside of their normal group. A member of SLT will be assigned tooversee this and check on a daily basis. All staff will be encouraged to remindeach other to complete this information sheet.52
particular schoolemployees.- School offices are either reduced in occupation and desks positioned inorder to provide adequate separation or staff are moved to other areas toreduce contact;- Smaller rooms and offices have maximum occupancy levels which staff mustnot exceed- Staff rooms are not to be used unless these are large enough to safelyaccommodate current staff numbers at safe distance from each other andstaff do not exceed maximum occupancy levels;- Each staff rest area has been assessed, and additional areas provided tominimise contact.- Where there are shared items such as kettles, cleaning wipes are providedfor staff to wipe down items in between uses, all items cleaned at the end ofday by cleaning teams.- Staff are encouraged to bring a packed lunch and use the larger diningareas, keeping a suitable distance from other occupants;- Pupils will practice social distancing from staff appropriate to their age andas described in additional points of this assessment;- Employees will be provided with and wear PPE when required in accordancewith government guidance.8.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due toinsufficient First aidmeasures. Thisincludes:- Dealing withgeneral First aid;5315MEDIUMFirst Aid- Qualified first aiders are in place at an appropriate ratio for paediatric firstaiders for Early Years provision.- First aid risk assessments have been reviewed to ensure there are sufficienttrained first aiders available, where first aid qualifications have expired,school follow the guidance to update using online refresher training and bookcourses asap following to HSE’s First Aid Certificate Extension guidance5210MEDIUM
- Lack of trainedfirst aiders;- Dealing with asuspected case ofCovid-19;- Inappropriatehandling / removalof clinical waste- Intimate virus.htmFirst aiders to familiarise themselves with and follow the ResuscitationCouncils Guidance on CPR – Rescue breaths only to be given if performingpaediatric il-uk-statement-covid-19- The school has a specific room (library/hub) dedicated for suspected casesof COVID-19 which is well-ventilated;- Occupants (staff or pupils) who display symptoms of the virus during theschool day will be isolated in the designated room which will be wellventilated by an open window/door until additional medical assistance canbe gained. This may be 111 support, an ambulance or until they leave the siteto self-isolate;- First aiders required to assist this person will wear full PPE including, apron,gloves, mask and visor;- First aiders have completed appropriate training for ‘donning and doffing’PPE – NHS video / advice virus.htmAnd https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ppe.htm- PPE is disposed of in accordance with NHS COVID19 waste re-settings- The first aid room will be cleaned frequently and after each use (when firstaid care has been provided).Waste disposal measures
Waste control measures from possible cases of COVID-19 and cleaning ofareas where possible cases have been identified (including disposable clothsand tissues) are as follows:- Put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full;- The plastic bag is placed in a second bin bag and tied;- It is put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until theindividual’s test results are known;- Waste is stored safely and kept away from children;- Waste is not put in communal waste areas until negative test results areknown or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours;- If the individual tests negative, this can be put in with the normal waste;- If the individual tests positive, then waste is stored for at least 72 hours andthen put in with the normal waste;- If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, a collection as a CategoryB infectious waste is arranged by either local waste collection authority ifthey currently collect your waste or otherwise by a specialist clinical wastecontractor. They will supply you with orange clinical waste bags for waste andbags can be sent for appropriate treatment.Reporting- The Trusts reporting procedure will be used to track incidents. The Trustprotocol of actions to take in the event of an incident will also be followed.9.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due tolack of socialdistancingmeasures for5420HIGH- Any visitor to school will be required to wear a face covering when accessingsite and entering the building unless exempt. Signage is displayed on themain entrance door stating face coverings must be worn.- If deemed necessary we will set up an NHS Track and Trace code for visitors515LOW
external visitors tothe school,including:- Parents;- Maintenancecontractors;- External Teachers;- Inspectors;- Deliverypersonneland encourage them to scan in.- Hand sanitiser is provided at the main entrance and all persons entering areasked to sanitise their hands.- Parents have been informed to call the school office or email if they haveany questions or concerns;- If parents need to drop off items for pupils, they should be left at the schoolmain entrance for staff to collect;- The SLT are able to use Teams to contact parents if a face to face meetingsis required;- For those who have to enter the school reception, staff are instructed tostand back from the visitor;- Screens/counter-top Perspex shields have been installed to reduce the riskto school staff, where a barrier does already exist;- Markings have been added to the floor asking visitors to stay back at least2m from the reception desk;- Visitors will only be permitted into the school if they have an appointment;- Visitors will only be permitted at their designated time and will be asked towait outside of the school building until their school contact is available;- The school contact is required to attend reception in good time to meettheir visitor;- All visitors will be asked to sign in and out and any high-touch areas createdas a result of doing so will be cleaned between each visitor.- All visitors who enter the main school will be required to read and sign therelevant risk assessment and complete a short questionnaire.
- Meetings with visitors will be via video conference or phone where possible;- For essential visits, social distancing measures will be adhered to at alltimes;- Face to face meetings in small room or within 2m are not permitted;- Premises’ contractors will be managed in accordance with a separatepremises maintenance risk assessment written specifically for this time;- Deliveries will be accepted at designated quiet times only;- Delivered items will be left outside of the school building for staff to collectunless heavy and unwieldy in which case access and delivery to a pre planned destination will be managed.10.Academies areunable to completemaintenance orworks – eitherroutine or planned4416HIGH- External contractors will be managed in accordance with a separateContractors Covid risk Pw5yHyXAC2WGwb6ZBW65CSxR6/view414LOW10MEDIUM- Supply teachers will be used only where considered absolutely necessary.11.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due toexternal visitorsgaining not sociallydistancing andobservingprecautionarymeasures – use ofsupply teachers5420HIGH- Where possible, supply teachers will be contracted via the Trust frameworkagencies to ensure that there is a mechanism in place to inform the schoolshould the supply worker subsequently develop symptoms or test positive forCovid-19. In the event that a supply teacher is sourced from an agency noton the Trust framework agreement then arrangements must be recorded inwriting for informing the school should the supply worker subsequentlydevelop symptoms or test positive for Covid-19.- Supply teachers should be fully briefed, both verbally and in writing, in allthe Covid-19 arrangements in place at this time prior to commencing theirassignment. Supply teachers should sign to say that they have been fully52
briefed and understand the arrangements and what they need to do tocomply with them.12.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due toexternal visitorsnot sociallydistancing and notobservingprecautionarymeasures – Truststaff not based in aschool13.Spread/contractionof COVID-19 due toexternal visitorsnot sociallydistancing and notobservingprecautionarymeasures – otherprofessionals notdirectly employedby the Trust14.Academies areunable completemaintenance orworks – eitherroutine or planned5315MEDIUM-Trust staff, including governors, trustees and me
COVID-19 Risk assessment - Opening schools - Eastfield Academy from 5th January 2021 Version 2 28.01.21 - amendments in red Version 3 05.02.21- amendments in green The Government has asked schools to adhere to the following: From Tuesday 5th January 2021, we have been asked to only open to EYFS (excluding reception), vulnerable children and children of critical workers who need to send .
