Keeping busy at every level
Schools won’t have to ensure space between pupils
This week I was bowled over by the dedication of East Kilbride’s volunteers at the Special Needs Adventure Playgroup (SNAP) summer programme for children with disabilities.
On my first visit to an organisation since lockdown, I was delighted to meet children and volunteers who were able to participate (under Government guidelines) in this summer’s activity programme, giving local children with disabilities a much needed week-long social activity programme whilst affording carers some respite.
SNAP’s innovative volunteers utilised space at East Kilbride’s Kirktonholme Football Pavilion creating a sensory room, activity room and games room and the delight from those attending was clearly palpable. There were initial concerns that this years’programme couldn’t go ahead due to the lack of venue but determination of SNAP volunteers prevailed and East Kilbride’s Kirktonholme Football Pavillion came to the rescue and generously offered their premises.
During my visit, I participated in SNAP’s ten-pin bowling tournament and managed to knock over five skittles. I haven’t been bowling for many years, since I worked at East Kilbride’s bowling alley whilst at university, (where my role involved spraying bowling shoes with disinfectant!). It was a wonderful afternoon with the children and volunteers, and I was entirely exhilarated to have retained my old bowling magic.
During lockdown, I have also continued to convene online meetings in my role as Chairwoman of the Commons Disability All Party Group. We most recently met by zoom addressing access to higher education and Covid19 supports for young people with disabilities.
Almost 100 peers, MPs, students and university representatives took part but we were saddened to hear heart-breaking testimony regarding reported discrimination across the UK higher education sector for disabled students.
Disturbing information was presented to our meeting by Disabled Students UK a network of disabled students from more than 30 universities informing us that the pandemic had“caused an already bad situation to become acute”and that the process of securing reasonable adjustments is one of the biggest barriers facing disabled students.
They told us that universities transitioned to distance learning several months ago, but many of their disabled student members still have no reasonable adjustments in place to make their learning accessible whatsoever.
Local constituent and Law Student, Gary Copeland who is blind and has Autistic Spectrum Disorder then spoke bravely about his own experience including being provided with just one of 600 texts he needed to read in his first year in an accessible digitised format, and in the second year just four texts out of 500.
Gary told our meeting“it has been a really, really difficult experience and I cannot express how awful it has been”. Gary’s uncle, Professor Harding added that the experience was “beyond anything that I thought was even possible in the UK in the 21st Century”.
Given the scale of the issues raised, I have agreed that my All Party Disability Group will undertake a House of Commons Inquiry Report into Access to Education for Students with Disabilities.
Should anyone else locally wish to take part, please do not hesitate to get in touch on with me on lisa.cameron.mp@ parliament.uk.
This is also the address to contact me on for my regular constituency surgeries held every Friday afternoon or by telephoning 020 7219 6855.
STEPHEN BARK
Children in South Lanarkshire will not have to physically distance themselves from other pupils when they return to school on August 12.
New scientific advice published by the Scottish Government outlined the “best and safest way” to reopen schools provided coronavirus continues to be suppressed.
The government’s Coronavirus Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues - which includes academics from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities as well as representatives from Education Scotland and Public Health Scotland – found that “the balance of the evidence suggests that no distancing should be required between children in primary schools”.
High school pupils also won’t need to distance from each other even though the evidence was “less clear”.
Adults will have to keep two metres apart from each other and from pupils from different households.
Teachers may also need to wear face coverings if they can’t keep two metres from pupils or other staff.
Large gatherings such as school assemblies will be put on hold for the time being and pupils will be expected to stay within the same groups throughout the day where possible.
Strict hygiene measures will be in place and everyone entering a school will have to wash/ sanitise their hands.
A “zero tolerance” approach will be taken with anyone showing coronavirus symptoms and strict compliance with NHS Test and Protect procedures will be expected.
Pupils also won’t be expected to wear face coverings or social distance when travelling on school transport – but ministers are expected to encourage everyone who can to travel to class on foot or bike.
Pupils who travel on public transport will be expected to follow current guidance to wear face coverings.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “This scientific advice will inform the way schools can re-open safely from August 11, if infection rates continue to remain low.
“The Education Recovery Group which comprises local authorities, parent representatives and teachers’ organisations and trades unions, has been developing plans for how to open schools safely for everyone.
“We are considering this advice as we develop comprehensive guidance which will give confidence to our school communities that the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and staff is ensured as we welcome them back.
“Ensuring the highest quality education for our young people, in a safe environment, must be a priority for us all and I know that everyone is committed to make sure that children’s education is not adversely affected in the longer term.”
An East Kilbride councillor has hit out at the response from Strathclyde Passenger Transport over calls for them to step in and save a lifeline bus service.
We told you earlier this month how First Glasgow announced they are to permanently cut the #31 bus with immediate effect – the only one that serves Stewartfield residents.
That leaves them with no access to buses and has led to the bus operators being slammed by the local community and its representatives over the decision.
Councillor David Watson has been vocal in speaking out against the decision and is calling for a U-turn.
He said he was this week left“disappointed”by a response from SPT to concerns he raised with them over the decision.
Councillor Watson told the News:“I was advised they had written to First Glasgow on July 3 to request they reconsider any proposals to truncate the route of service 31, however, they received a negative response to this request.
“They also advised that due to budget pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unlikely a“like for like”alternative subsidised provision would be introduced by SPT at this time.”
The EK West representative said it is“not acceptable”that Stewartfield and other areas of East Kilbride are left without a bus service, which acts as a link to Glasgow.
He said he has since responded to SPT asking them to do more, adding that he has contacted the Traffic Commissioner who are needed to approve any permanent change.
He added:“I am also waiting on a response from the council’s community and enterprise resources team.
“I will continue to work with other elected representatives to try and get this route reinstated or an alternative option put in place.”
SPT previously told the News they were “working closely”with all operators to ensure services remain where they are most needed.
However, they conceded there“simply aren’t the finances available to plug every gap”.
Meanwhile, a petition launched by Labour councillors Joe Fagan and Monique McAdams to save the 31 has secured more than 2200 signatures.
A separate campaign has also been launched by Graham Simpson MSP, who is calling for the council to lead talks with First, which he says they have agreed to pursue.