Schools reopening date and plans
PLANS are in place for the reopening of Inverclyde’s schools for the start of the new term in August.
Pupils will begin returning to classrooms on Wednesday 12 August on a part-time basis in order to meet coronavirus health and safety guidelines, particularly the two-metre social-distancing rule.
A blended model of school and home-based learning is being introduced designed to support young people, their families and staff.
Primary children will attend class two days a week and secondary students for five days over a two-week period.
All pupils will be split into groups and allocated specific days to go to school.
School playgrounds will open an hour before teaching begins and close 60 minutes afterwards to help with the phased return and to assist parents with childcare arrangements if needed.
Parents and carers will be notified directly about specific arrangements for their child.
Schools have already reopened for children of key workers to attend and to allow staff, including at Port Glasgow High School, pictured, to prepare classrooms for the new term in August, which starts on Tuesday 11 August for teachers with an in-service day.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s Convener of Education & Communities, said: “The reopening of schools whilst adhering to government coronavirus safety regulations is an extremely difficult and complex task.
“Plans are evolving and there will inevitably be issues along the way but they are designed with the best interests of pupils, their families, and staff at heart.
“Education services have been working around the clock to ensure the safety of staff and students when they go back to the classroom in August.
“It’s crucial that our young people return to school sooner rather than later and as often as possible for the sake of their education as well as their mental and physical wellbeing.
“The phased return will also ease the burden on parents and carers who have done a terrific job with home learning under challenging circumstances.”
High schools will be open to pupils five days a week but primaries will be closed on a Wednesday, except for children of key workers, to allow teachers to carry out planning for remote learning.
There will be an extra in-service day in September due to the earlier than normal start of term.
The council’s education service has been consulting with staff, parents and trade unions about the return to ensure the reopening of schools achieves the best possible outcome for everyone involved, especially pupils.
There will be fewer people in classrooms and a reduction in the number of desks and chairs to allow for physical-distancing, hand sanitizing stations, and special arrangements are being developed for movement in corridors, class changeovers, breaks and lunchtime.
For more information about the reopening of schools and what it means for primary and secondary students, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/coronavirus.