Kids back in classrooms a real boost
School and nursery pupils will return to the classroom from August 12, Stirling Council and Clackmannanshire Council have both confirmed.
Youngsters will return to school after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week revealed that it is safe for them to do so.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the Covid-19 route map last Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said that the latest scientific advice and evidence supported the safe return.
In the Stirling Council area, individual schools were due to share arrangements for the return with parents, carers and young people.
In the Wee County, teachers will return on Monday and Tuesday for two days of essential training before pupils return the following day.
Stirling Council says that, in accordance with the finalised government guidance, comprehensive plans, which include additional health and safety measures, will now be put in place. Any further updates, such as on school transport, will be communicated directly to parents and families by individual schools ahead of the start of term.
Convener of Stirling Council’s children and young people committee Councillor Susan Mcgill said:“our schools and nurseries are thrilled to be welcoming our children and young people back in early August.
“The pandemic has been an uncertain and challenging time for families and a return to some much-needed normality and structure is really positive news.
“With the resumption of full-time education, teachers and early learning practitioners are looking forward to ensuring children and young people receive the highest quality of care and learning.
“On behalf of the council, I would like to thank parents, carers, young people and staff for their incredible support and resilience during this unparalleled crisis.”
All local authority schools and nurseries are carrying out rigorous risk assessments before reopening, and a“suite of additional health and safety protocols”will be in place.
Clackmannanshire Council has unveiled a number of ways that education is to be delivered in future, including: outdoor learning; digital learning; and increased partnership working with organisations such as MCR Pathways, Columba 1400 and THRIVE Outdoors.
Councillor Graham Lindsay, the council’s spokesperson for education, said:“the last few months have been incredibly challenging but it has also given our teachers a chance to think how we improve and make the education we offer to our young people even better.
“We recognise that there has been a loss of learning as a result of the coronavirus outbreak but our educators have been working hard to lessen the impact this will have on our young people in Clackmannanshire. They are skilled in assessing children’s attainment levels and what support they need to improve and it will be a priority going forward to ensure no child gets left behind.”
Cllr Lindsay added: “Parents and carers have done a great job of supporting their children to continue learning at home during the pandemic.
“It is important going forward that we continue to work in partnership with them to support learning at home on key areas of education such as literacy and numeracy to build on any educational progress that has been made.”