The Comeback!

On Monday 12th April we opened our doors for the first time since last November … which was the first time we’d opened our doors at our new space in Southend! Lockdown 3.0 was a struggle all round, but once the Government’s roadmap was announced, we spent some time trying to understand what it means for everything we do. We first completely our COVID risk assessment and put the following measures in place:

Limited places in all group classes, based on our available space to keep socially distant at 2 metres - all studios and corridors have been marked with social distancing tape on the floors so everyone is reminded to keep their distance

  • Hand sanitiser stations are at the entrances

  • Staff are COVID tested twice per week

  • Rooms are aired and anti-bac’d between every session

  • We are following government guidance on safer singing

We then studied the Governments roadmap, got involved in arts forums, council discussions and liaised with the Musicians Union to ensure we bring everyone back at the right time! Here’s what we’re currently following:

Monday 12th April

All Children and Young People 18 and under can return to in person lessons, with COVID measures in place. This means we have now returned to all 1:1 coaching and classes for these age groups.

The cut-off point of aged 18 has some caveats around it: those who are already 19, but in full time education, can attend if there were 18 last September. Otherwise they will fall into the adult category.

Update: All adults can now return for 1:1 coaching (we will continue to offer Zoom lessons for anyone who wants them)

Monday 17th May

Indoor group activities for adults can resume, under the rule of 6. In practise, this means we have a limited number in our Adult learn to sing class, which is returning from 18th May.

Monday 21st June

Everything back to normal ….

Obviously the May and June dates are subject to change, depending on what the Government says at the time, but fingers crossed we can stick to it and the latter half of summer term will see a return to normality.

The Song School CICComment