Head of Education: Nicky Grant
Education and Learning Service, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX
Please ask for:
Nicky Grant
E-mail:
[email protected]
Date:
25 June 2020
Dear Parent / Carer
On Tuesday 23 June, the Deputy First Minister announced to the Scottish Parliament that the
Scottish Government is now planning for the full return of children and young people to
schools in August, subject to ongoing COVID-19 scientific and health advice.
Following our letter to you dated 8 June, you will be aware that teachers, early years
practitioners and other staff have been returning to schools in small groups since the start of
the month, to plan and prepare for the re-opening of schools and early learning and childcare
(ELC) settings in compliance with current Scottish Government guidance.
While we are now working towards a return to full-time schooling, we have also put in place,
as required by the Scottish Government, contingency plans for a blended learning model,
with pupils attending school and ELC on some days and learning at home on others.
Each school is sharing their plans for return to school arrangements with their families – this
is essential work as part of our contingency plans.
The risk assessments and health and safety measures for all of our schools will remain
focussed on the key elements that will helps us all reduce the risk of the spread of the virus.
This will include regular hand washing, additional cleaning of the school building and
observing the current government guidance for schools and nurseries.
We hope these contingency plans do not need to be put into practice, but it is important you
are aware of these arrangements and know we are prepared for all eventualities in these
uncertain times.
We can now confirm that we are planning for schools to re-open for pupils on Wednesday 12
August, with the preceding day (11 August) allocated as an in-service day for staff.
As we come towards the end of the academic session, we want to recognise the wonderful
achievements and commitment to learning of the Highland Council children and young