Nearly all pupils will return to full-time school when the Easter
holidays end.
However, children who are on the shielding list are advised to
stay at home until 26 April, in line with advice from the Chief
Medical Officer. All other pupils, will return to school once the
summer term starts.
Strict 2 metre physical distancing between pupils in secondary
schools will be removed and schools will consider how they can
strengthen other mitigations.
Following the national expansion of lateral flow testing,
twice-weekly tests are available for all school staff in primary,
secondary and special schools and for secondary school pupils.
First Minister said:
“This I know, will be a huge relief to many children and young
people – and of course to many parents and carers. I know though
that the return to school, particularly for older pupils, will
cause concern and anxiety – to pupils, to parents and of course
to teachers and others who work in schools. So let me give an
assurance that we will continue to give paramount consideration
to safety.
“The return to school will involve the removal, where necessary,
of strict 2m physical distancing between pupils in secondary
schools - but we are asking schools to consider how they
strengthen other mitigations. Twice-weekly lateral flow testing
is already available for all school staff, in primary, secondary
and special schools and also for all secondary school pupils and
I would encourage as many staff and pupils as possible to make
use that testing.
“We will, of course, continue to study and assess the data, in
order to quickly identify and limit any outbreaks that do arise,
and make sure that we are also learning from them. For now, let
me thank everyone who is working to make this return to school
possible. For many teachers and school staff, I know, this has
been the hardest year of your professional lives. I am very
grateful for the way in which you have adapted to such difficult
circumstances.”
Background
Coronavirus (COVID-19):
guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
