Following on from the First Minister’s announcement on the 19 December, schools can only open to in-person learning for children of key workers and vulnerable children from 5 January to mid-February, with remote learning continuing for all other children and young people. This will be reviewed 2 February 2021.
As the new term gets underway on the 11 January the children of keyworkers and more vulnerable learners will be supported in school buildings to engage with their Google Classroom as the curriculum will be delivered remotely to all learners. This approach will ensure that all children and young people have equal access to their curriculum. This is in keeping with updated national guidance.
Children and young people who are allocated a placement will attend their own school/ ELC setting with staff they already have pre-established relationships with. Support will be provided for children and young people who attend Me2 provision or who are aged 3-14 and registered to attend a school or ELC setting in Aberdeen City.
Covid 19 Risk Assessment
The risk assessment process and national guidance has helped staff teams put in place a range of measures to support a safe return for children, young people and staff. The control measures in school risk assessments change as we move to different tiers in keeping with the national guidance. The most up to date copy of the school risk assessments is available on school websites.
As always we are being guided by the Scottish Government in our approach to re-opening our schools and health surveillance arrangements are in place to monitor how the opening of school buildings impacts on the R number.
A plan has been published to share how organisations are working together to keep everyone safe. The child-friendly document emphasises to pupils the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of others by self-isolating if displaying Coronavirus symptoms and staying away from school if feeling unwell. Council officers have been working with public health colleagues on an city-wide outbreak control plan, which is to be published soon.
Face Coverings
Updated guidance on the use of face coverings in schools has now been issued by the Scottish Government
From Monday 31st August face coverings should (unless exemptions apply) be worn by:
- All adults and pupils in secondary schools must wear a face covering when moving around the school, such as in corridors and communal areas, where physical distancing is difficult to maintain
- All children aged 5 and over must wear a face covering on dedicated school transport. This is in line with guidance for public transport.
There is no change for pupils in primary school who do not use school transport.
Local Authorities in Protection Levels 3 or 4 are required to ask senior phase students and staff to wear face coverings in classrooms as well as in communal areas.
Staff and pupils will be supported to wear face coverings over and above this guidance if they choose to do so.
More information can be found below in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Free school meals
If your child is entitled to free school meals and not attending school we will continue to make a payment to you to cover the costs of providing lunch for the duration of online learning. Children who are accessing school buildings will continue to receive a free school meal.