School reveals plan to use city church as classrooms

● Move will allow all pupils back while sticking to Covid-19 rules

An Aberdeen private school has announced how it plans to get all its pupils back next term – by teaching in a nearby church.

Albyn School will move some primary classes to the halls and Sanctuary of Queen’s Cross Church after the summer break.

This will enable the independent school to bring back all of its pupils five days a week next term.

“It enables us to provide the space for full-time learning”

School bosses said the move would likely last from August 20 right through until Christmas.

The Scottish Government has advised schools to extend the space available for use when teaching in an effort to have as many youngsters back in classrooms after the summer.

Queen’s Cross Church has three halls, usually allowing space for around 200 people – although physical distancing will reduce capacity significantly.

The Sanctuary is a much larger space, used for church services and a range of events including conferences and arts performances. It can normally host 400.

Acting head teacher David Starbuck said: “We are delighted to work with our friends at Queen’s Cross Church.

“It enables us to provide the space for Albyn to deliver full-time learning for all pupils five days a week next term.

“These classes will commence at Queen’s Cross Church from August 20 and will last through to the October holidays and are likely to continue through to Christmas.”

Albyn School, five minutes walk from Queen’s Cross, viewed the move as the “natural choice” for a temporary annex as its minister, the Rev Scott Rennie, is the school chaplain.

Mr Rennie said: “We are pleased to be able to build on our community partnership with Albyn.

“We have a long history of happy association with the school and pupils and staff often help us deliver some of the many initiatives and assistance we offer to people.”

The news comes as the city’s council-run schools prepare plans to bring pupils back on August 11. Last week the local authority released its phased plan for a physically-distanced return to school.

Given the requirement for 53sq ft of space per child, it is thought only a third of all pupils will be able to attend at any one time. Education chiefs have admitted that given variations from school to school, the maximum of a third is unlikely to be reached across the board.

If lockdown is eased to phase two tomorrow, staff could be allowed to return to school buildings on a restricted basis.

The council and other independent schools are also exploring using additional buildings to bolster their capacity for pupils where possible.

TEMPORARY BASE: Some of Albyn School’s pupils will be based at nearby Queen’s Cross Church, to allow for full-time teaching