Council aiming for 100% return to school in August
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Highland Council is aiming for a 100 per cent return for school pupils in August – but only if it is safe to do so.
Councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the education committee, emphasised that all the local authority's plans will comply with national guidance.
He was speaking today after the committee had considered the proposals in place to reopen Highland schools after the summer break.
Schools have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I would like to thank all our staff for their hard work on developing plans, including contingencies, so we can accommodate the maximum number of young people safely in our schools," Councillor Finlayson said.
"This is an immense and complex task as the national guidance and the health situation continues to evolve.
"I understand that parents, staff and young people may be feeling anxious as well as looking forward to getting back to school in August. I wish to provide assurances to you at this time that we will only progress with a 100 per cent return if it is safe to do so and all our plans will be in line with national guidance.”
On Tuesday, Deputy First Minister and education secretary John Swinney confirmed that the Scottish Government is now aiming for the full return of children to schools in August – subject to ongoing Covid-19 scientific and health advice.
Council services and schools have since been working towards "Plan A, B and C" scenarios.
The plans are:
- Plan A: 100 per cent return with no social distancing measures
- Plan B: 100 per cent return with 1m social distancing using a range of local buildings and additional staffing
- Plan C: 2m social distancing with blended learning
The council is aiming for a 100 per cent return of pupils as long as social distancing measures permit (Plan A) on August 12. This can only be achieved in schools if the key conditions set by government guidance are met.
It says plans B and C will remain as a contingency to be implemented should the scientific and health advice indicate that it would not be safe to proceed with a full return.
Further planning options to support the safe and secure reopening of schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings will be developed should national guidance change during the period from July 2 to August 6.
The executive chief officer for education and learning, Paul Senior, said: “We are working towards a full return to education in August, but our priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. Individual school circumstances are being assessed at a local level and will remain mindful of national guidance.
"It is important our decisions in local planning are informed by local conversations as we continue our engagement with communities across Highland. We also understand the importance of communication and we are working hard to share up to date information with everyone concerned."
Frequently asked questions for parents and children have been published on the council website.
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