The Scottish Mail on Sunday

Great news for parents! Some kids will go back to school in days

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THOUSANDS of Scots pupils will finally return to classrooms in the coming days.

Several councils have revealed plans for special sessions to prepare youngsters for starting primary or secondary school.

Schools closed on March 20 due to the pandemic and they will not return in full until August 11. Even then, pupils will face a mix of school and home learning.

However, some councils will allow P7 and pre-school children to return now. This includes 2,200 pupils in Midlothian and 1,929 in West Dunbartons­hire. Jamie Greene, Scottish Conservati­ve education spokesman, said: ‘If it is possible to arrange safe transition days in some councils, hopefully other areas will offer this to young students.’

Teachers are also returning to school this month but social distancing will require major changes to classrooms.

The Scottish Mail on Sunday asked councils how many pupils would return before summer.

Perth and Kinross, Glasgow, Renfrewshi­re, Shetland, East Ayrshire, Western Isles and East Renfrewshi­re confirmed pupils would return but could not say how many. Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartons­hire, Aberdeensh­ire and Clackmanna­nshire were unsure.

Aberdeen, Falkirk, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils ruled out any substantia­l return before summer. East Lothian Council said virtual tours had been set up.

A Scottish Government spokesman said:

‘The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is the overriding priority when it comes to reopening schools.’

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