ScotGov plan for schools and nurseries reopening announced

The Scottish Government have set out their route map for schools and nurseries to reopen for children and young people across Scotland.

Route map

The route map includes:

• Teachers, early years practitioners, and support staff returning in June to prepare for the new school term
• Continued childcare for key workers and vulnerable children in June and during the summer
• Transition support for children moving into primary one and secondary school
• All schools and nurseries reopening after the summer break
• A blended model of learning at school and at home for pupils from August

Director of Children’s Services, Steven Quinn, said:

“We welcome the update from Scottish Government that sets out a plan for how our schools and nurseries will return over the coming months.

“This has been a very challenging time for many parents and carers and I fully understand the issues this has caused, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and support at this time.

“I’d also like to thank all our teaching and early years staff and the wider teams who have worked so hard to support our pupils over recent weeks. Through our experience with the childcare hubs we’ve put in place for our key workers, we’ve been able to learn from this and from practice elsewhere, to ensure that when the time comes for our pupils and staff to return, it is with their health and wellbeing as our utmost priority.

“I want to reassure you that we are working with headteachers and centre heads to ensure our schools and nurseries are safe, welcoming and familiar places for your child to return to and learn in. National guidance on safe working arrangements will continue to be our guiding principles for safe working environments

“The route map set out by Scottish Government, and the work of the Education Recovery Group that has informed it, provides clear guidance for how we continue to prepare to welcome back our pupils and staff.

“I, along with your child’s school and nursery, will be able to share further information with you over the coming weeks including information on transition arrangements for those either starting primary or secondary school and those returning to school in August. Importantly, this will also be done in consultation with our partners and on the understanding that plans may have to change if government advice changes.

“I am also working through the many questions parents and carers asked me through our recent survey and I expect to be able to provide answers to your questions next week. Thank you to everyone who took part in that survey and for those parents and carers who provided us with their email address, I have responded to you directly on your questions. This information has been very important in helping to develop our plans.

“Thank you for your continued support and patience during these challenging times. I will continue to keep you updated as new guidance and plans are announced.”

Schools and nurseries info

Steven’s statement