3rd February 2021
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set out plans for a phased and partial return to schools. She made the announcement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 2 February, which you can read here.
The current intention is that from 22 February there will be:
- A full time return to early learning and childcare for pre-school children
- A full time return to school for P1-P3 pupils
- A part time return for some senior phase pupils so they can complete practical work for qualifications. It is intended only 5-8% of the school roll will be present in school at one time, based on what pupils need to do to complete practical tasks for their qualifications. Schools will make local decisions on this (note: Cabinet Secretary John Swinney stated this was not a quota, it was a ceiling, at the Education and Skills Committee, 3 February)
- An increase in the number of pupils with additional support needs who will be able to return to school
The Scottish Government will confirm this in two weeks and intends to set out further plans for phased return at the same time. This plan is dependent on COVID-19 rates continuing to fall.
Workers in school and ELC settings and senior phase pupils will be offered ‘at-home’ COVID testing twice a week as soon as possible.
The First Minister thanked young people and their families, teachers and school and nursery staff for their understanding and patience shown during this stressful time.
Connect welcomes this announcement. Families are doing their best, but many are struggling.
More detail is now needed on how children with additional support needs will return to school, and that there is consistency across the country. We know from our surveys that many families are desperate for their children and young people with additional support needs to be back in school to gain some kind of routine again and receive their specialised support.
For young people working towards qualifications, a blended approach should allow them to work on practical subject: however the return to school for senior phase pupils must not be a headlong rush into assessment: stress levels are already very high and here must be a steady and supportive return to class.
There must also be continued support and kindness shown to all families, and acknowledgement that while some children will return to school, others will continue with remote learning, and this could provide challenging to families with children in both groups.