City councils set out plans for reopening of schools

Two city councils have set out their plans for the reopening of schools, detailing how they will manage a blended model of learning and maintain hygiene within the educational setting.

Aberdeen City Council confirmed their schools will reopen on August 11, while the City of Edinburgh Council has set a return date of August 12.

School pupils across the country will return to a blended model of part-time in school and part-time at home learning to reduce class sizes and the number of children in the building at any one time.

Aberdeen City Council’s education service has published its local delivery phasing plan, which explains the work staff are undertaking to make schools and classes safe and how the curriculum will work.

Within the document are outlines on how the council’s schools will manage blended learning through reduced class sizes, static class groups to restrict the number of interactions and alternate learning rotas.

It also details how hygiene will be maintained via measures such as enhanced cleaning, one way systems and physical distancing.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh council has distributed a letter to parents and carers, confirming head teachers will be in touch before June 24 to confirm which days their children will be in school.

In-school learning in the capital will take place from Monday to Thursday, while Fridays will be used by staff to support home learning.

To enable social distancing, from the start of the session it is expected a third of the roll will be in school at any one time.

Where conditions allow arrangements will be made to maximise the proportion of in-school learning.

In early learning and primary schools, children will be grouped together to allow family members to attend school on the same full day.

In high schools, pupils will be grouped together either by year group or family group, depending on the individual arrangements made by each school and each child in the rota will attend for a full day.