Pupils, staff and families praised as schools return

As pupils and staff return to schools in Kintyre this week, Argyll and Bute Council's Policy Lead for Education has thanked staff for their unfaltering dedication to get plans in place for reopening and praised young people for their continued commitment to learning.

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: ‘There’s no denying the last few months have been a difficult time for everyone, let alone children and young people in our schools.

‘Pupils have had to adapt to new ways of learning; staff have had to come up with new, imaginative ways of providing learning resources and parents and carers have had to step into new roles as teachers.

‘What’s truly amazed me throughout all this though is the way everyone has rallied around to help each other. This is something that’s special and unique about Argyll and Bute – our school communities are like an extended family.

‘We have already proved that, despite challenges, we work well together to ensure the best outcomes for our children and young people. Let this continue and let us look back at this period in our education system where we conquered adversity. I wish everyone the very best for their return to school.’

Councillor McNeilly also responded to Monday's announcement by the Scottish Government that down-graded results will be revised to match schools’ assessments.

‘We want all our young people to have the chance to succeed. Getting results that match their hard work is the least pupils can expect, especially this year.

‘Our young people, their families and teachers have had so much to deal with, given the scale of change brought about by Covid-19. They all deserve their efforts to be rewarded fairly.

‘Our teachers know their pupils. Teachers’ assessments match the work of our individual pupils. It’s to be welcomed obviously that where necessary, grades will now be based on these informed, individual assessments.

‘Heart-felt congratulations go again to our young people, their families and our school communities for resilience in the face of the additional burdens this year has brought. The success you are achieving together is well deserved.’

The SQA is expected to inform schools of the revised results by Friday August 21.