Teachers ‘must be able to work from home’

Schools and local authorities have been urged to allow most teachers to work from home throughout January.

Amid confusion over the return to work for school staff, the Scottish Senior Teachers Association said that only those required for the minority of children who will be attending school should report for duty this week.

On M o n d a y, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told people to work from home if they could as she announced a second Scottish lockdown.

But it is understood that some schools, including those in Angus, have asked all staff to attend from today or tomorrow even though only a few pupils will be there.

Some staff have been asked to come in to plan for remote teaching of the majority of pupils, which begins on Monday for at least three weeks.

Seamus Searson, SSTA general secretary, said that breached the S c o tt i s h Government’s stay at home order and that both teaching and meetings should be conducted remotely to keep teachers safe.

He said: “If schools are asking teachers to come in unnecessarily, then they are going against the orders of the ministers.”

There is no need, he said, to have teachers in school buildings, either planning for remote learning or teaching remotely.

“Teachers have been planning for this for months, they don’t need to go into a school building to do that,” he said.

Only a few staff are needed to keep schools open for the children who will be there, he said, adding: “Schools should know how many children they will need to look after. They should know who the vulnerable children are and they will have asked parents last term if they are key workers.”

Scottish Government guidance for the new term was issued on December 21, when the holidays were extended for most pupils, followed by just a week of remote learning.

Schools in Angus are due to reopen today and those in Fife, Dundee and Perth and Kinross tomorrow for children of key workers and vulnerable children only.

The guidance states only staff required in person to “give effect to these revised school reopening arrangements” should attend.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have decided to keep schools closed to the majority of pupils until February 1.

“Teachers will return to work as planned and children of key workers and the most vulnerable children will return to schools as planned.

“The definition of vulnerable children includes those with additional support needs, and it is for education authorities to determine the arrangements for this provision locally, in line with guidance, and to update all school staff accordingly.”

Fife Council said school staff will be expected to provide effective remote learning and have key workers’ children and those requiring enhanced support in school.

It also said schools would work with staff to create rotas to “make sure that the best possible learning is provided for all our children and young people”.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said: “The council is in ongoing discussions with schools and trade unions regarding staff attendance arrangements, bearing in mind national guidance following the government announcement on Monday, January 4.”

Angus and Dundee City councils were also asked about the return of school staff but did not respond.