Council on course with school reopening plans
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PLANS are progressing to reopen the region's schools full-time for all pupils from August 12, Moray Council says.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced on June 23 that schools in Scotland can fully reopen if the rate of Covid-19 infections continues on a downward trend.
The council said plans drawn up to support blended learning – with pupils spending some time in school and some home learning – will now act as a contingency should lockdown restrictions, such as physical distancing, remain in place.
Parents of children entering or continuing in early learning and childcare settings will receive communication directly from their centre with specific details on their reopening.
Vivienne Cross, head of education, said school communities will be kept informed throughout the summer holidays.
Mrs Cross said: "There’s no doubt that the change to our education delivery has been extreme and I’m immensely proud of how our pupils, parents, carers and staff have all risen to the challenge of finding a new way of learning.
"None of us would wish children to be away from school for any additional period of time. However, we must be assured that it is safe for them and our staff to return.
"Schools have developed their recovery plans and these will continue to be finalised as a contingency for August should full-time schooling not return at the start of term. These plans have been drawn up giving consideration to the constraints faced by many schools in terms of staffing, buildings and transport, and has been a massive logistical undertaking.
"We’ll let staff, pupils, parents and carers know what these measures will look like as soon as possible and continue to communicate any updates throughout the summer break."
