Schools in plea to holidaying pupils

COVID-19: Teachers ask parents for details of trips abroad

Parents are being asked to tell schools about their October holiday plans in a new attempt to avoid more Covid outbreaks.

Head teachers want to know what countries their pupils are visiting, and if they will need to self-isolate when they return.

Perth and Kinross Council has launched the initiative after some children returned to lessons last month after visiting countries on the quarantine list.

Education bosses want to build a database so they know of any children who need to stay at home when school restarts in mid-October.

They have promised not to share the information with any third party.

Parents in Perth and Kinross are being asked to disclose their October holiday plans in an effort to prevent further Covid-19 outbreaks when lessons resume.

The plea from head teachers comes after some families returned from summer holidays in quarantined countries but sent their children to school instead of going into selfisolation.

In some cases, it was several days into the new term before teachers became aware of where their pupils had spent the break.

Education chiefs now want to build a database so they know of any children who should stay at home when school restarts in mid-October.

Parents of secondary and primary pupils are being asked to let their school know if they plan to go abroad, to which country they are going and their outward and return travel dates.

The local authority has promised not to share the information with any third party.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “We understand many families will want to get away during the October holidays after spending the summer in lockdown.

“Scottish Government guidance states schools should have arrangements in place to identify and support children who may need to self-isolate. They are also asked to engage with children, young people and their families to ensure rules around quarantine or selfisolation are followed.

“As such, we are asking all parents and carers to inform us of any plans for foreign travel for which quarantine restrictions may apply upon their return.

“This information will not be shared anywhere else but will help ensure the safety of our pupils and staff when schools return after the October holidays.”

The move has been welcomed by local MSP and Education Secretary John Swinney, who said: “Across Perthshire, we’ve been fortunate to see strong levels of communication between head teachers and parents.

“This dialogue has played a key role in ensuring that parents and pupils are comfortable with the reopening of schools, while also being cognisant of their individual responsibilities.

“To continue our battle against Covid across the region, it is important that head teachers and parents continue to proactively engage with each other.”

On Sunday, NHS Tayside confirmed two suspected cases – linked to a positive infection – in StMadoes Primary School.

Picture: Kenny Smith. Head teachers want to prevent Covid outbreaks when pupils return to school after their October break.