Angus Council: School news - 5 March 2021

Angus Council sent this bulletin at 05-03-2021 12:15 PM GMT

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5 March 2021

Stay in the loop with what's happening in our schools

Attending school from 15 March

We've an update following the announcement by the First Minister on Tuesday 2 March and the publication of updated guidance for a return to in-school learning.

Primary pupils

On Monday 15 March all pupils will attend school full time.

After school clubs based in school premises will be able to restart from the same date. Please contact your after school club for further details.

Secondary pupils

From 15 March until Friday 2 April, all secondary pupils will be invited to attend school at least once a week. We are prioritising those in the senior phase (S4-6) so that they may access essential learning required for the alternative certification model.

Our head teachers are working to put plans and timetables in place. We must work with the latest safety guidance of 2m physical distancing in school and 1m physical distancing on school transport. Due to the capacity of a school building, the number of children on the school roll, the number of staff available and the capacity on school transport each school may have a very different timetable of attendance.

From 15 March, whilst we will continue to advise young people of how to continue with their learning from home it is important to say that our remote learning offer will be different. Almost all of our staff will be in school delivering face-to-face learning. Your child’s school will be in contact with more information.

The updated safety guidance will now require 2m physical distancing in school and that all pupils wear a face covering (apart from those who are exempt). Please support us to ensure a safe return to school by providing your child with a face covering. Limited numbers of face coverings will be available in school should anyone arrive without one.

Schools have supplies of lateral flow test kits available for all in S4-6. Undertaking the twice weekly testing is completely voluntary but could help us identify when a young person has the virus but is not displaying symptoms. Your child will be provided with more information by the school.

Transport

School transport will continue. A 1m physical distancing requirement will be in place and face coverings are required by all who travel on school transport – regardless of age.

School meals

School meals will be available for primary pupils, and secondary pupils when they are in school at lunchtime, and those entitled will receive free school meals.

Direct payments to parents/carers of secondary pupils entitled to free school meals will continue until a full time return to school is achieved.

Thank you

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. If we can work together until the Easter holiday, we will hopefully see a return to school full time for everyone.

Covid-19: schools and learning updates are also available on our website.

Secondary school attendance for children of key workers

Our secondary head teachers are working hard to finalise arrangements for all young people to return to school on 15 March.

We are asking all key workers to ensure their child attends school only on days when:

you must attend your workplace
there is no other adult at home
it is not possible to make arrangements for your child to be cared for by a relative/friend

Doing so will ensure that every young person may be invited to attend in school at least once each week. Please help your school maximise the offer to all young people.

Reminders...

Worried about your child? Give our phone line a call

If your child goes to an Angus school and you’re worried about them, give our team a call:

Tuesdays between 9.00am and 12noon
Thursdays between 1.30pm and 4.30pm

on 01307 494736 for an informal chat.

Home learning - big thank you for all your hard work

Although some of our wee ones are back at school now, for many children (with the support of their parents) learning at home continues. It continues for our teachers and staff too.

Remember our Digital Schools Team are on hand to support home learning, with the help of the Angus Home Learning Portal. You'll find helpful guides about how to help your child access their learning safely from home, ideas for extending the learning beyond the classroom and information about online safety. We’ve also hints and tips from parents and carers that you may find helpful.

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