‘Blended learning’ on cards for schools

THERE is “every possibility” that secondary schools may have to use blended learning when more youngsters are allowed to return to the classroom, the Education Secretary has said.

John Swinney was speaking after it was confirmed that a small number of senior students will be able to return to high school from Monday, if they need to do so for practical work.

Children in P1 to P3 and nursery school youngsters are also set to return to class on Monday, on a full-time basis.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is unlikely any more pupils will return to face-toface learning before March 15.

Swinney said: “The scientific advice I have available to me just now recognises that physical distancing will be required for at least senior phase pupils in our secondary schools.”

Asked about the prospect of blended learning – which would see pupils in class for part of the week and learning remotely for the remainder – he said there is “every possibility, unless that advice changes, that we have to operate on such a model”.

He added: “We will take considered decisions based on the evidence that is available to us about when we can return pupils to face-to-face learning, and I am absolutely crystal clear, I want to make sure we return pupils to face-toface learning as soon as it is safe to do so.

“But I have to be mindful of the clinical and scientific advice.”

FLORAL tributes to a Scots signing legend “pinched” from outside a Glasgow theatre have been found.

Flowers left to crooner Sydney Devine turned up in the city centre just yards from the stage door of the Pavilion.

They had been left by heartbroken fans at the weekend when it was announced the Lanarkshire boy had passed away at the age of 81.

However, the “Devine shrine” was ransacked by a callous thief on Saturday night, leading to a frantic search for information.

Now, five days on, Pavilion bosses have shared their joy after the flowers were found next to a bin outside Buchanan Bus Station.

Chiefs at the Renfield Street venue said: “How weird is this? We were walking to the carpark at Buchanan Galleries tonight and noticed two bouquets of flowers lying beside a bin, outside Buchanan Street Bus Station.

“Scott, my son, said: ‘That looks like the two stolen ones; same colour of bows.’

“So, we went across the road and it was!

“We have taken these, along with the cards, back to the theatre and laid them with the rest.

“They are still in good condition, given they have been out in the cold.

“As they say: ‘The Lord works in mysterious ways.’”