Education Scotland guidance for schools has been publishedfollowing the surprise announcement on Tuesday that all pupils in Scotland would be making at least a partial return to school buildings from 15 March.
Tuesday’sannouncement provedcontroversial and was even describedasthe “worst-case scenario” for schools, with many secondary teachers expressingconcernabout the logistical difficulties of providinga mix of in-school and remote learning for S1-3 students at short notice. Many students in those yearswere not previously due to returnuntil after theirEaster holidays, in the second half of April.
The new from Education Scotland, which appeared late yesterday,largely reflects previously published advice and puts the onus on schools to make key decisions and explain them to families.
It states, for example, that “schools are in the best place to understand how many learners can be accommodated within the school at one time”.And the document concludes by calling on schools to“explain clearly to learners, parents and carers the rationale and detailed practical arrangements for learners across the relevant subject areas”.
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Some teachers on social media expressedconcern that the document asks them to “maximise” the number of pupils in school buildings while minimising contacts between pupils.
The document includes seven “key considerations”, includingthat schools should continue to ensuredaily registration or check-in arrangements for every pupil.
The list of seven points includes advice that schools should:
• Maximise the number of children and young people who are receiving in-school learning, while keepingin line with clinical and scientific advice
• Give priority for lessons to learners who are taking national qualifications
• Where possible, ensure all learners in secondary schools receive some in-school education each week
• Maintain provision for key workers’ children and vulnerable learners
• Continue to ensure daily registration/check-in arrangements for every learner
• Maintain two-metrephysical distancing between learners, between adults, and between adults and learners who are not from the same household.
The full guidance can be read .