Councils look at key workers and free meals

Councils said they were taking action to deal with an unprecedented situation and consider how best to use schools to support children and families.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We have moved to identify those vulnerable young people who would receive support while the schools are closed.

“The council is talking to our emergency and key services and other partners to identify the families for whom childcare would allow them to remain in their frontline critical jobs.

“We are also exploring how to best get food, or equivalent, to children who are entitled to free school meals.”

Sheena Devlin, Perth and Kinross Council’s executive director of education and children’s services, said the decision was “without precedent” and similar measures were under way.

She said: “Pupils will be continuing their learning at home, and teachers will bring all their creativity and knowledge to help our pupils through the coming weeks.”

She added: “We will be finalising arrangements over the next few days.”

Angus Council said it had written to all head teachers and was working with them to make arrangements.

In a statement it thanked families for their patience and understanding and asked parents not to try to contact schools unless their inquiry was related to the issues at hand.

Independent schools across Tayside are putting in place a host of different policies for their students.

At Kilgraston School near Bridge of Earn the majority of students will finish today.

However, the school will remain open until March 27 for exam year students who still need to complete SQA course work, and international pupils.

At Strathallan School in Perthshire they are preparing to close today but will remain open for international students.

Dundee High School will close today but it is not yet known if the nursery will remain open.

All activities and events have also been cancelled.

“Identify the families for whom childcare would allow them to remain in their frontline critical jobs. DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL