Parents around the country prepare for fresh bout of home learning with mixed emotions

Pa r e n t s across the country are steeling themselves for another episode of home learning.

For three months last year mums, dads and carers became makeshift teachers when schools closed for the first time.

Dawn Dundas, of Arbroath, believes the government has made the right call.

Dawn was creative in teaching her children Kaylee, 9, and Calvin, 5, last time round and intends to take the same approach.

She said: “We are lucky, my husband is working from home and will be for the foreseeable future but I can see how for some people it might be a struggle.

“I took a laid- back approach last time. There is a lot of fun- based learning you can do with children, you don’t have to become a teacher and I think that’s where some parents become anxious.”

Adam Davidson, of Dundee, will have a busy house, with six children at home all day.

He said: “I totally agree with the government to keep children off.

“Ev e n though kids might not be showing symptoms they can still be carriers.

“I’d rather my children were at home safe.”

Jill Wilson, of Glenduckie, near Newburgh, Fife, returns to work as an estate agent this week and her daughter Lexi, in S1, will be preparing to log on to Bell Baxter High School’s online lessons.

Jill said: “It does seem that this new variant is hitting us hard so I’m happy for them to work from home.”

Among those worried parents is Elaine Blair, of Perth, who fears for the impact on daughter Georgia, 10, an only child.

She said: “I enjoyed it at the beginning, it was all a novelty, but as April became May and May became Ju n e it was becoming tougher and tougher to ke e p her motivated and by that time she was desperate for some company.”