'Too early' to say what return to school for Highland families will look like, education chief admits
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PARENTS of pupils at Ross-shire schools are being told the return to classrooms will be "careful and gradual".
Highland Council says it is assessing the implications of an announcement last week by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over plans for a return to school on August 11.
Teachers are expected to begin returning from next week to start preparations for what the local authority is calling "the new normal", adhering to distancing guidelines while lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.
Education Committee chairman John Finlayson said: “The return to workplace and Highland schools for our education staff will have to be undertaken carefully and gradually.
“I understand the desire for parents and pupils to know what plans and preparations will be put in place to enable the start of term on August 11 and that is exactly what our education staff will be working on in the coming weeks.
“While I understand parental and pupil anxieties, especially for those starting at school, at this stage and ahead of formal engagement with local head teachers, parent forums and communities, it is too early for the council to provide any finalised plans or proposals on what the return to school will look like for Highland families.
It is important that the local circumstances of each school will need to be considered along with consultations with key stakeholders. As soon as that information is available schools and the council will promote this widely.”
Paul Senior, executive chief officer education and learning said: “There is a huge amount of preparation under way to return schools and our education settings in line with government guidelines. Before teaching and education staff can return to school, there are a number of measures we will be deploying to ensure that the views of Highland's head teachers, parents, carers and communities inform our plans.
"These will include rigorous risk assessments that will need to be carried out, to ensure that safe distance working practices and other risk prevention measures can be adhered, to that will enable staff to return to the workplace safely in environments that are as safe as possible to minimise the potential for risk.
"Then, as soon as jointly agreed, risk assessed back-to-school plans are in place, the council along with our schools and settings will provide information to parents, carers and pupils on what the new normal will be like.”
Pupils and parents asked to keep an eye on the news page of the council’s website and its Facebook page for updates on back-to-school information.
How have YOU found education during lockdown? What are your thoughts about the return to school? Email us at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
