We are Ready to welcome you back!
Health, safety and wellbeing remains our priority ACS International Schools’ UK campuses re-opened on 1 June 2020 for students in Early Childhood, Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grade 5. Additionally, from 15 June, Grade 11 students are invited to return for in-person learning support before the school year ends.
This follows UK Government guidance and aligns with returning UK school years. All other year groups will continue distance learning until the end of the academic year on 24 June.
We have worked closely with parents, guardians and teachers to complete a comprehensive risk assessment to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. For all other students, our distance learning plan continues through the end of the school year. Read our guide to distance learning here
The decision to return to school for these grades was made following very careful review, risk assessment and consultation with our community. Our returning families can be assured that we have complied with the Government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19. We have put in place the five key steps of safer working together.
Ready to work and learn with confidence
Class sizes and spacing We have organised our facilities and classrooms in a way that lowers the risk of transmission. Maximum class sizes will be 10 students with appropriate marking to encourage social distancing. Playgrounds with shared toys and equipment, and specialist teaching will be used by only one group, or thoroughly cleaned between their use. Students will be able to enjoy green outdoor spaces on our extensive campuses. Our younger students can still learn in our Forest Schools under appropriate teacher supervision.
Trained health workers and school attendance At each campus we have trained nurses on hand every day, with access to appropriate PPE, to deal with any health concerns. School nurses are supported by our membership of the Medical Officer of Schools Association, and we have secured advice from health and safety experts in developing our return to school plan. All returning staff have been approved to work, and they monitor their personal health daily.
We have communicated clearly our expectation that families follow UK Government guidelines for staying safe outside their home, international travel, and personal health. For more information on these Government guidelines, click here.
All students on campus with Covid-19 symptoms will be sent home, and will be directed to an available test in cooperation with local health authorities. For more information on this, click here.
Cleaning and protection ACS facilities teams at each campus have put in place enhanced cleaning procedures that meet British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) standards and recommendations. All students and staff will continue to be reminded to wash their hands properly with the hand wash generously provided in every classroom and study area. Common spaces and high-touch surfaces are disinfected six times per day. Learning spaces are thoroughly cleaned each evening.
Different - but still safe, meaningful and fun The return to school and the classroom experience will be different for all our community, but there will be much that is still familiar. All three ACS UK campuses are fortunate to benefit from spacious, green environments that provide a wonderful setting for learning and extensive outdoor areas for play and relaxation during breaks. All our schools offer the opportunity for some physical exercise, within social distancing guidelines, to ensure our students maintain both their physical and mental wellbeing. Our curriculum is also designed to take maximum benefit from the wonderful natural settings in which our students learn.