school re-opening readiness plans
TRANSCRIPT
School Re-Opening Readiness Plans
School Name: GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail Principal: Campbell Douglas
Curriculum: UK
This template is designed to record your school readiness plan and provide details on how your school will comply with physical distancing arrangements, health checks and hygiene, educational provisions, and other protocols. School Readiness Plans ensure that you have procedures in place to safeguard the continuity of operations and the safety of everyone in the building. They are not static documents and can adapt over time to reflect any changes in the school situation or new directions. It is possible that these protocols will change or be added to over the coming months. Most of the points in the protocols document describe the arrangements you need to put in place. There are some items that require you to tailor procedures for your school context. KHDA will evaluate your readiness plan and how well it complies with the protocols and your context. In using this form, the information in blue lists some of the protocols from each heading in the document. Following that in black is the information requested for your readiness plans. You may attach files with any supporting documentation on the last page of the form.
School adaptation to protocols
A. Entry, pick up and school visit procedures
1. Modes of thermal screening (individually or by installing the relevant technology) should be
present at the entrance of the school. Children who are taking the bus, should get scanned for their
temperature before getting onto the bus. Anyone with a fever ≥37.50 C should not be allowed entry.
6. The school should implement a staggered entry and exit procedure to eliminate overcrowding
and to maintain 2 metres physical distancing in high traffic areas.
7. Families drop off and pick up at designated areas only in designated timings with no interaction
inside the school. There should be no access to the rest of the school facility by family members
and visitors. Family members should be given maximum time limit of 10 minutes in the
designated areas to pick up / drop off with no crowding, maintenance of a 2 metres distancing,
and wearing of masks at all times.
8. Meetings are encouraged to take place online, unless there is a critical need for one to one
meeting which should take place on an appointment by email basis and will need to be made
and approved beforehand.
9. Any visits that happen to schools such as for the purpose of registration, carrying maintenance
work or deliveries, should happen after the school’s opening hours. Proper precautionary
measures should be applied especially for pick up or drop of items by designating a specific
location and following a contactless process.
Describe how the school will scan temperatures of students and staff entering the school premises or
getting on to a school bus.
The school will be fitted with a number of thermal imaging cameras that will be located at specific
entrance points into the school. A designated and trained security guard will monitor the system
throughout the day. A process is in place to manage any students identified with a temperature greater
than 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Describe procedures for entry and exit for student drop off and pick up
Thermal cameras will be situated at the four designated entry points to the school. Students will be
designated an entrance based on their age and proximity to their learning area. Hand-held
thermometers will also be in place for individual temperature checks where required. Temperature
checks will be in place for children prior to boarding the bus and prior to entry to the school building. A
designated and trained security guard will monitor the system throughout the day. A process is in place
to manage any students identified with a temperature greater than 37.5 degrees Celsius. Expectations
will be set for parents to check their child’s temperature prior to leaving the family home.
Foundation Stage parents will be requested to enter via Gate 2 and wait in their cars until TAs are present
and displaying the relevant class group. Children will be handed over to the TA, adhere to the 2 metre
distancing regulations and will be escorted into the building through the temperature checkpoint and into
their classroom.
For Year 1 and 2 drop off and pick up will at Gate 15, with parents entering via Gate 12. Parents will wait
in their cars until TAs are present displaying the relevant class group. Children will be handed over to the
TA, adhere to the 2-metre distancing regulations and will be escorted into the building through the
temperature checkpoint and into their classroom.
For years 3-6, drop-off and pick-up will be via the entrance to the right (as you face the building) of Main
Reception. Students will be spaced at 2-metre distance. Students will be escorted and accompanied into
the building through the temperature checkpoint by their teaching staff. There will be no access to the
building for parents during drop-off or pick-up.
Year 7-13 students will enter and exit via the entrance to the left (as you face the building) of Main
Reception. They will be supervised by staff through the temperature checkpoint and during their
transition into the building. There will be a fluid drop-off point at the front of the school for parents who
do not need to park with entrance via Pedestrian Gate 6.
Pick-up for FS1 & 2 will be organised using a shift system where class teachers and TAs will escort children
to parents’ designated points. This will be repeated in years 1-4.
Students arriving and departing by bus will enter and exit via the entrance in the middle of the school
leading to the bus waiting area. They will be escorted to their relevant zones by staff.
Describe procedures for school deliveries outside of school hours.
All deliveries must be pre-arranged with the school, security will not permit access for deliveries during
school hours. A designated entrance point for deliveries has been identified. All persons coming onto
school premises for delivery will undergo temperature checking and follow security access control
protocols. Delivery items will be sanitised prior to dispersing into the school.
Describe procedures for meetings outside of school hours.
Wherever possible, meetings outside of school hours will take place online via Zoom/TEAMS etc.
Where this is not possible, F2F meetings will be co-ordinated and booked by a member of our reception
team. Such meetings will take place in one of our meeting rooms at the front of school to avoid
visitors/parents having to enter the main school building.
All visitors will be required to sign-in and have their temperature checked at security gate prior to entering
the school.
Screening & Contingency/ Emergency Plan
12. A health and safety designated staff should be identified and assigned to handle any emergency
situation, follow up and monitor the implementation of health and safety procedures, and conduct all
necessary trainings for students and staff. This person is also responsible for the designated isolation
room within the school premises.
13. If a child/teacher/staff begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, they must get isolated
instantly, and the parent/ guardian of the child to be notified immediately and the patient should be
referred to the hospital to take the necessary action. The patient should not return to school until the
PCR result is obtained. If the result is negative and there is a clinical assessment of a probable COVID-19
case, the patient should complete a 14-day quarantine. If the result is negative and there is no clinical
assessment for a probable case, the child can resume schooling so long as they are symptom-free.
14. If the result is positive, the traced contacts of the patient, including teachers along with the
classmates of a student, or colleagues are all considered close contacts (Anyone who spent more than 15
minutes in a proximity of 2 metres with the positive case, from the day of symptoms onset, or the day of
the positive PCR test). They should all commence the 14-day quarantine counted PCR from the day of the
positive test, or from the day of the onset of symptoms if ascertained by the clinician.
Name of Your school’s designated Heath and Safety Officer responsible for the implementation of
these protocols (Three fields - name, mobile number, email address)
Manu Rajan (Manager of School Operations)
971563633543
Outline your emergency medical procedures in case of a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case.
1. Student/Staff referred to school clinic having symptoms of upper or lower respiratory symptoms
“With or Without Fever.” And classified as suspected case based on history and assessment by
doctor/nurse.
2. Student/staff to be immediately placed in the isolation room with mask and staff in full PPE.
3. School health staff should take all isolation, contact and air-droplet precautions.
4. Follow DHA flowchart for Guidelines regarding management of suspected COVID-19.
5. Immediate reporting to H&S officer (MSO),SLT, and DHA via phone and online reporting system and
the parents/guardian and nurse to fill out PUI form.
6. Notify the parent/guardian(if stable) and ambulance (if unstable) to arrange for the transfer of the
suspected case to nearest hospital with isolation facilities.
7. If the case is unstable, call 999 or 998 and arrange to transport student/staff to the nearest hospital
with isolation facilities to be accompanied by a school staff member in full PPE if parent/guardian is
unavailable.
8. Follow up after 24-72 hours for the PCR result.
9. Initiate deep disinfection and contact tracing of all areas and persons exposed.
10. Return to school on issuance of a clearance certificate by DHA and upon completion of 14 day
isolation period.
Outline how you will support the wellbeing of individuals with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 from
their onset of symptoms through their period of isolation and eventual return to school .
If a pupil is found to be CoVID 19 positive or has a family member who is being diagnosed with COVID -
19, the following measures will be taken in terms of their well-being. A special crisis team will be put in
place to ensure the mental health and wellbeing remain a top priority and that no child is omitted. Each
case will be assessed individually by the / Counselor/ Nurse and or Safeguarding leads. All information
will stay HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL to protect the student from any kind of social stigma. Safeguarding/
mental health plan will be put in place according to the case. This may include receiving support from
counselors/teachers, designated staff member to follow-up with student to ensure they are not falling
behind academically, progress tracking of the emotional well-being of the student while in quarantine.
B. Monitoring Attendance and Contact Tracing
18. The school must maintain adequate records of its staff/guests/members/students, including names,
telephone numbers and visit dates, to assist if contact tracing becomes necessary. And to maintain
accurate work records of its staff for contact tracing purposes.
19 The school should abide by the contact tracing procedures, by providing DHA with all records needed
to trace potential contacts of the confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Describe your arrangements and responsibilities for record keeping.
All visitors details will be logged within the visitor log book (date, time, who they are visiting and reason
for visiting), the logbook will be completed by the security team and no physical ID’s will be taken, nor
will there be any visitor signature required. Lanyards will not be used. These will be replaced by a colour
coded sticker system. All visitors will be temperature checked at the security gate, any persons with a
temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above will be refused entry into the school premises. All
visitors will be required to wear mandatory face masks and hand sanitise prior to entering the premises.
Student attendance will be monitored through the school MIS at the time of registration, each morning
and afternoon. Staff attendance will be monitored through normal procedures overseen by each line
manager, with absence reported to the relevant member of senior leadership.
All of the designated persons in charge for health and safety have completed a globally recognised
health and safety qualification (IOSH managing safely). In addition, GEMS has a central team of
dedicated health and safety professionals to support all schools. All employees will also be completing a
Covid-19 e learning training program in August. The designated health and safety in charge will receive
training on all of the Covid-19 related protocols, prior to the re-opening of schools
Each school Nurse documents all suspected cases on PUI (person under investigation) form provided by
DHA and is responsible to share a copy with parent/paramedic and files the other for safe record
keeping. School Nurse Emails a scanned copy of PUI form to Preventive Medicine Section and School
Health Section of DHA. Doctor records the case in the IDNS Sheryan System of DHA. Nurse /Doctor
follows up on PCR results and updates DHA/SLT. Separate file with all PCR results, medical waivers for
the vulnerable group is maintained in a locked cabinet or password protected file on the computer. Final
Notification by the nurse on GEMS health and Safety documentation portal-Phoenix-HSE which is
centrally maintained. Designated Health and Safety Officer maintains an up to date file of
suspected/confirmed cases and their contact In collaboration with the medical team.
F. Set-up / Physical Distancing Arrangements
G. Educational Provision
49. Ensure the 2 metres distancing measure is maintained in all common areas, service desks, etc.
where different groups of students and staff and visitors are mixing.
50. Classroom area should support sufficient room for group to maintain physical distancing of at
least 1.5 metres per child in each classroom provided everyone wears masks.
57. Create visible markers on the floor to indicate appropriate spacing.
63. Student ratios will vary depending on the size of the classroom. The school will have the liberty to
decide on the number of students per class as long as a safe distance of at least 1.5 metres per child or
person is maintained.
64. Provision for students in Pre-primary/FS1, KG1/FS2 and KG2/Y1 will require “stable” groups of 10 or fewer children. “Stable” means the same 10 or fewer children are in the same group each day. This group of ten children must be cared for in a space that cannot be accessed at the same time by children outside the stable group. 65. Keep cohorts together where possible and: ensure that children and young people are in the same small learning groups at all times each day, and different groups are not mixed during the day, or on subsequent days, and Ensure that the same teacher(s) and other staff are assigned to each learning group and, as far as possible, these stay the same during the day and on subsequent days, recognizing for secondary settings there will be some subject specific rotation, and Class rotations are not permitted. For curriculums featuring class rotations, students should remain in a designated classroom, while teachers rotate instead. 66. Students or staff with high risk conditions (specific illnesses or immunocompromised) should be offered alternative education means (i.e. distance/remote learning), until further notice. 67. The school has to ensure academic provision through Distance Learning for all the students who are unable to attend their classes physically (due to health condition, isolation, quarantine, family situations, etc.)
Provide the expected date when changes to infrastructure (such as floor markers, posters, classroom reconfigurations, etc.) associated with the protocols will be completed. 8/9/2020 Based on the above protocol of 1.5 metres physical distancing in classrooms and stable groups of 10
or fewer for young children, what is the revised operational capacity of the school for each grade level
and how does that differ from last year?
2019 - 2020 2020 - 2021
Pre-Primary/ FS1 60 40
KG1/FS2 60 40
KG2/Y1 88 60
G1/Y2 88 66
G2/Y3 96 72
G3/Y4 120 96
G4/Y5 120 96
G5/Y6 72 96
G6/Y7 96 72
G7/Y8 72 72
G8/Y9 72 72
G9/Y10 72 72
G10/Y11 48 72
G11/Y12 48 72
G12/Y13 48 48
Describe the changes to your classroom arrangements and daily routine schedules for children under
the age of 6.
Our initial plan (which was based on social distancing of 1.5m) would enable us to accommodate up to
14 children per classroom. 100% of students in for the full day. Children split into two neighbouring
classrooms - 50/50 split. Full curriculum will be offered. Teachers will be working between two
classrooms delivering face-to-face sessions/freeflow at different times across classes. One teaching
assistant in each class with each group with the class teacher working between the two classes.
Specialist teachers will visit the classroom for specialist lessons.
Staggered start (as every other year) with class split into two groups who attend school for 2 hours each
day for the first two weeks. Full timings resume from week 3.
Carpet sessions shared via live links for children whose parents choose for them to work remotely.
In applying the max 10 protocol, our plan would be to create an additional group per Year 1 class.
However, this would require us to appoint additional staff and would make logistics more challenging as
our classrooms are in pairs with shared bathroom facilities.
Describe the changes to your learning groups to try and keep cohorts together where possible.
PRIMARY - 100% of students in for the full day. Children split into two neighbouring classrooms - 50/50
split. Full curriculum offer. Teacher working between two classrooms delivering face-to-face sessions
alternating periods. One teaching assistant in opposite class with the class teacher working between the
two classes.Specialist teachers will visit the classroom for specialist lessons. Teachers will deliver face-to-
face in one class with this live streamed into the class next door.
SECONDARY - 100% of students in for the full day. A small rotation of children will split between the
classroom and directed learning zones. Full curriculum offer. Children will alternate between face-to-
face and synchronous streamed learning. Streamed learning will occur within the directed learning
zones with appropriate social distancing. Each staff member allocated supervision sessions.
Secondary teachers will visit the form room to teach groups of students, where specialist facilities are
not required. For subjects that do require specialist facilities, students will have access to these areas on
a rotational basis as per the timetable.
GCSE/POST-16 - 100% of students in for the full day. Smaller class sizes will allow for all classes to stay
together and follow the typical timetable. Secondary teachers will visit the form room to teach groups of
students, where specialist facilities are not required. For subjects that do require specialist facilities,
students will have access to these areas on a rotational basis as per the timetable.
In fully adhering to the suggested protocol for students not rotating between different groups, this will
place significant restriction on the delivery of options, electives and examination groups as F2F classes in
school. As a result, students will receive increased remote synchronous delivery and have their time in
school reduced. This may not be conducive to high-stakes examination years/grades.
Describe any staggered timing of classes and school day – for example, double shift or different
start/finish school times by grade level or other planned alternatives.
Primary and Secondary students already have staggered break and lunchtimes and these will continue.
FS1 and FS2 students will continue to have staggered finish times.
Given the relatively small number of students and size of campus it is not anticipated that there will
need to be staggered arrival times however, this will be closely monitored. Registration period will need
to be extended to accommodate the lengthier process to enter school.
Describe the plans for teaching students not attending school including those with high risk medical
conditions, those who are in isolation or quarantine, or students whose families are uncomfortable
with them resuming schooling at the school premises.
The plans for teaching students not attending school include the following:
1. Distance learning provision will continue via tried and tested online platforms
2. Access via live streams across the school day.
3. All classrooms/teachers will be provided with a webcam and microphone to enable teachers to
stream lessons to students working remotely.
4. Students will continue to submit learning via platforms such as SeeSaw, TEAMS, Phoenix Classroom.
5. Learning will be marked, assessed and feedback given to students as in accordance with school policy.
6. Teachers will maintain ongoing communication with parents of students learning remotely.
What models of service provision are planned?
Blended – Combines digital delivery with on-campus instruction and may take a variety of forms,
including in-class instruction combined with online practice or online exploration followed by in-class
discussion. In general, blended learning refers to a formal program rather than an ad hoc use of
technology.
Please describe how this is different to pre-Covid forms of schooling, including how this may vary for
different grade levels or particular students including how time will be split between on-campus and
distance/remote learning. Include any improvement plans responding to the development areas in
the Distance Learning Evaluation report and also include how the proposed provision will provide for
students of determination.
Whilst our model of service will allow for all students to be physically in school, we will continue to
provide a blended approach which will enable students to engage in distance learning whilst either in a
different location in school or learning remotely from home.
All students will be able to be on-campus 100% of their school time and engage in a range of blended
learning experiences. However, if required, the flexibility of remote learning can be maintained for at
least 20% of the week.
In FS1, FS2 and Year 1, all groups will operate within the protocol of a stable group of 10. All other
groups will operate on 50/50 split in accordance with the distancing measures required.
The sizes of our option groups at GCSE and Post-16 will enable students to continue their studies as per
their timetable with movement around classes minimized as much as is possible. Access to specialist
facilities will be limited however, will be essential in some cases.
Students of determination will be able to fully attend school or learn remotely if necessary. Level 3
students will continue to benefit from the support of a Learning Support Assistant.
Our Distance Learning Evaluation (DLE) was judged as Developed (highest rating). In addressing the DLE
Report development areas:
1. Improve the quality of guidance to students and parents about online safety
The Academy is now accredited as a National Online Safety School providing training and resources to
students, parents and staff.
2. Address parental concerns about the ability of younger students and children in the school to
complete the online activities
This has developed considerably since our DLE visit and parental feedback reflects a much improved
situation.
3. Continue to develop detailed implementation plans for the action required to deliver distance
learning
Implementation plans continue to be developed and the effective use of online platforms has moved
forward considerably.
The proposed fees are for the model of (small text box here)
Pre-Primary/FS1
KG1/FS2 KG2/Y1 G1/Y2 G2/Y3 … G10/Y11 G11/Y12 G12/Y13
% discount
on all
approved
tuition fees
0
% discount
on all
approved
mandatory
services
0
Do you have another structure of tuition fees for a different model - No
Will your school bus fees be changed for re-opening in 2020/21? Yes
We have engaged with our transport operator and they have informed us that if the current 50% seat
capacity restrictions stay in place for September, they may need to increase bus fees on certain bus
routes to cover their operating and Covid 19 compliance costs. However if the student bus capacity is
set to 80% then the transport operator has guaranteed to operate without a fee increase.
Will your school need to recruit additional teachers to deliver this educational model including
compliance with all health and safety protocols? No
Will your school need to recruit additional teaching assistants to deliver this educational model
including compliance with all health and safety protocols? No
How many teachers and teaching assistants will be required to deliver this educational model?
KG Phase 1 (Primary) Phase 2 (Middle) Phase 3 (High)
Teachers 4 21 0 45
Teaching Assistants
5 22 0 0
L. Transportation
98. Schools must use buses at half capacity and to place marks on chairs for seating guidance.
Describe any revised arrangements for bus transportation for students including how the bus
timetable aligns with any staggered schedule adopted by the school.
Buses will be at half capacity - seats will be clearly indicated.
Temperature check on entry to the bus.
Designated school entrance/exit point for students travelling by bus.
Bus timetable/schedule are still to be confirmed.
All transportation requirements and protocols are covered within the attached document - STS
Transport Protocol. However, in response to specific questions:
School Transport Services LLC follows all applicable regulatory issued protocols with regards to the
operation of student transportation. As a responsible transport services provider they have used the
regulators protocols and developed detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs). These SOPs will be
used to inform, train and monitor all stakeholders in the operating and safety practices required for the
delivery and support of student bus transportation to the education sector. The school operational team
will monitor service on a daily basis and conduct regular inspections in line with the service providers
safe systems of work.
The school needs to ensure all temperature is taken at the pick-up points, and cases needs to be
documented and notified to the relevant parties:
All students will be temperature checked upon arriving at the bus. Any student with a temperature
which is equal or above 37.5°C will not be allowed to board the bus:
No student will be permitted to travel on any school bus service if they have any symptoms related to
COVID-19 or contact with symptomatic citizens.
Parents will remain responsible for safeguarding and return of students to home if they do not follow
protocols or have a temperature is equal to or above 37.5°C. prior to boarding the bus.
If a child begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 in the bus, the immediate measure is to ensure the
child is seated at least 2 metres away from the other bus users. The Bus Guardian should immediately
inform the school administration/ parents or nominated guardian.
Should any student begin to show symptoms on the journey home, the student should be dropped off
first, even if this means extending the journey time. If the journey is to school, the student must be
isolated by the school.
If students or staff have been confirmed positive according to a COVID-19 PCR test by an accredited
facility, they are not to permitted to return until a negative test result has been provided.
Daily record keeping will be be maintained.
Any student that is unwell or not permitted to board the bus will be recorded on the smart bus system
and this will be downloaded and provided to the school. In addition, the daily sanitisation programme
will be recorded for inspection by the operators quality team and the school operations team.
The bus needs to disinfect before and after each use:
Buses will be sanitised with an approved SDVO cleaner and in line with Company SOPs and quality
monitored each day.
Bus operator/user touch points to be sanitised at the end of each journey.
Adequate signage to be placed inside the bus.
Students will observe the allocated seating plan. All designated seats will be marked clearly with a seat
sign. Each bus will have will have a student information sheet outlining the required protocol. This will
be emailed to each parent ahead of service commencement.
Ensure proper ventilation in the bus.
Buses will have the correct ventilation system as designed by the vehicle manufacturer and approved by
the RTA in place.
Bus assistants over 60 years with medical conditions should not be on duty:
No Bus Guardian is employed or will be allocated duty exceeding the age of 60.
Appropriate steps to be in place should a child display signs of COVID 19 while on the bus:
If a child begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 in the bus, the immediate measure is to ensure the
child is seated at least 2 metres away from the other bus users. The Bus Guardian should immediately
inform the school administration/ parents or nominated guardian.
Should any student begin to show symptoms on the journey home, the student should be dropped off
first, even if this means extending the journey time. If the journey is to school, the student must be
isolated by the school.
If students or staff have been confirmed positive according to a COVID-19 PCR test by an accredited
facility, they are not to permitted to return until a negative test result has been provided.
M. Communications
109. Ensure that sufficient and accessible training and communication channels are utilized to keep all staff, parents and children informed of new settings, practices and hygiene approaches for the start of the academic year. Outline the guidelines for how parents will be kept informed through regular communications Pre-opening arrangements shared with parents during August via information guide sent home via email and d6. Virtual 'Meet the Teacher' events in early September will ensure that parents 'A day in the life...' video recorded to illustrate new protocols to be shared with parents via email, d6 and social media. Student induction arrangements will include time to walk-through new settings, practices and hygiene approaches.
Signage, posters and floor marking will ensure that students are frequently reminded of new protocols and practices.
Other Health and Safety Protocols
The Protocols document lists a range of other items that need to be complied with by schools.
How confident is your school in complying with these re-opening protocols
Extremely confident
Sharing School Readiness Plans
Please note if you would be willing for KHDA to share this plan or elements of the plan with other schools
to improve readiness across Dubai’s private schools. Yes
Any other comments about your school readiness plan that have not been covered in the previous
descriptions.
Many schools have already developed plans for re-opening. You may wish to attach any files that will
assist KHDA in reviewing readiness for school re-opening and compliance with protocols.
Documents attached:
GEMS School Clinic Re-Opening Plan
GEMS Health & Safety Re-Opening Guidelines
WEK September Opening Plan