Specialist Areas

Science – Group sizes for practical work will be kept as small

– The same group composition will be used for the year.

– Enhanced cleaning regimes are required within laboratories, time will be allotted for this.

– Each student will have their own labelled set of eye protection.

– Lab coats will not be used.

– Sharing laboratory resources between groups will be minimised & shared equipment will be wiped between each use.

– When using of microscopes, safety glasses must be worn.

– Where an activity requires the use of equipment that is difficult to clean a teacher demonstration will be used.

Home Economics – Teachers will educate students about the additional procedures to be followed in practical lessons to ensure a safe working environment for all at this time.

– Dishes which require more than one student to use the same hob for a considerable length of class time will be avoided.

– Following a risk assessment, students are commencing cooking.

– When teachers are handling and distributing ingredients, gloves should be worn .

– Students should use disposable cutlery to taste food.

– Contact points on equipment such as cooker knobs should be wiped using disinfectant wipes by students after use.

– At the end of each lesson, students will use disinfectant wipes to wipe down all work surfaces.

– Students should use their own equipment for textile work.

– Resources that are not easily washable or wipe-able will be removed from work stations.

– A visualiser will be used to reduce the need for students to group together.

– All cloths, towels, oven gloves and aprons will be laundered at the end of each lesson.

Art – Students will unable to share equipment.

– Large equipment and hand tools will be cleaned/sanitised after the last lesson each day.

–Students will use wipes to clean any equipment used.

–Students will have individual art-packs.

–Teachers will wear disposable gloves when handing out materials to students and collecting materials or work.

–Visualisers to be used to reduce the need for students to group together.

Music – Singing and the playing of wind and brass instruments will be minimised initially

– Orchestra is not currently taking place

– Following a risk assessment, Choir has commenced

– Instruments should be sanitised before and after use

– Smaller percussion instruments should be avoided as much as possible.

– Before playing keyboards all players should wash or sanitise their hands.

– Piano keys should be disinfected before and after being played.

– Full length perspex screen to be used for 1 to 1 singing lessons.

PE – On days when students have PE, they will be asked to come to school in sports gear, not uniform. This is consistent with DES guidelines as changing rooms cannot currently be used.

– We advise students to bring a waterproof rain jacket and spares e.g. socks and tracksuit in cases of wet weather.

– Students are asked to bring their own water bottle to class (water bottles cannot be shared, but may be refilled at taps).

– Bags will be stored in a designated area in the PE Hall/ pitch and should be always brought to class.

– No showers can be used

– PE lessons should take place outdoors or, if using the PE hall, doors should be opened.

– Instruction will be given in smaller groups so students aren’t congregating in one area around the teacher.

– Each student should bring his/her own water bottle and towel.

– Bibs will not be used.

– Spitting is strictly forbidden.

– It is advised to avoid as much as possible the contact aspect of sport and instead focus on fitness and skills.

– Equipment will be cleaned between uses by different people.

– Cleaning of equipment should be done by the students after they use.

–Subject department planning will ensure curricular areas that are being taught are selected to reduce the need for close contact.

Learning Support – Extra cleaning, PPE requirements

– High Risk/Very High Risk student use Learning support building

– Room cleaned between students

– High contact areas cleaned a number of times a day

– Staff supplied with masks and face shields

SNA – Awaiting guidance & training