Atlantic Academy is preparing for wider opening from June 1st, our principals share their plans and rules to follow with Wessex FM

This article was originally published by Wessex Fm.

Schools have been given rules that the Department for Education wants them to follow as they prepare for potential reopening. 

Atlantic Academy on Portland is planning to accept reception, year 1, year 6 and year 10 pupils from June 1st.

This involves detailed risk assessments and lots of planning.

Wessex FM spoke to the headteachers of the Atlantic Academy on Portland about what will happen if the Primary and Secondary schools are to reopen. 

Melissa Hepple is the Principle of the Atlantic Academy Primary school. She says that they’re working hard to make conditions safe for both staff and pupils: ”The site team are doing what they can to make classrooms safe; they are stripping all soft furnishings to make sure we adhere to the guidelines.

”The schools are being marked out with lines to follow safely down the corridors, spots for the children to stand on, to line up with and spaces for specific year groups to play in.”

They will also be placing visual reminders around the schools to make sure children stay two meters apart. 

In regards to parents picking up and dropping off their children, Lesley Bishop, Principle of Atlantic Academy’s secondary school says there will be a two-metre guidance in place for parents as well: ”We’ve staggered arrival and pick up times for parents and students. Parents will not be permitted on site and only one parent will be allowed to drop off and collect.

”This is including reception children who will have to walk to their classrooms from the gate. This is not the usual provisions at Atlantic but it’s imperative we keep staff and students safe.”

Both headteachers make it clear that there will not be any penalties to parents who do not send their children back to school.