Scottish Government Announcement Regarding Face Coverings in Schools

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to thank you for your continued support and understanding as our schools return from the Covid pandemic lockdown.

You will be aware that the Scottish Government announced on the 25 August that from 31 August, young people over the age of 12 in secondary schools should habitually be wearing face coverings when they are moving around schools and corridors and in communal areas where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing.

The new guidance states:

Face coverings should be worn in the following circumstances (except where an adult or child/young person is exempt from wearing a covering):

 Where adults and young people in secondary schools (including special schools and independent and grant aided schools) are moving about the school in corridors and confined communal areas (including toilets) where physical distancing is particularly difficult to maintain; and  In line with the current arrangements for public transport, where adults and children and young people aged 5 and over are travelling on dedicated school transport.

This new advice comes from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is based on evidence that teenagers can infect others in the same way as adults can and therefore these new measures will ensure we keep pace with the emerging advice about how to keep our schools open and to keep our schools safe.

By following these new guidelines you and your child will be supporting our schools to ensure health and safety remains a key priority, and that all staff and pupils can be confident they are in a Covid safe environment.

Individual exemptions can be granted for health reasons, or for pupils where their significant additional support needs would mean wearing a face covering could potentially cause a crisis situation for them. The Head Teacher of your school will be able to address any health related queries, along with creating individual plans for pupils with significant additional supports needs. Further information on exemptions can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-staying-safe-andprotecting-others/pages/face-coverings/

Your child’s school will provide the initial face mask for your child. I understand you may have questions regarding these new guidelines and we encourage you to contact your Head Teachers in the first instance to discuss any concerns.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Robertson Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships

cathy.lailvaux@midlothian.gov.uk

Parental Update Health & Safety

Parental Information – UPDATE Monday 24 August 2020

This update will report on any matters from the first week of safe re-opening and also inform you of some acting up arrangements in the Senior Management Team.

I would like to note the very positive start that students have made in returning to school and the support you have given them as parents/carers. The school has a positive feel despite the very different environment currently operating.

The last few parental communications laid out our health and safety protocols to enable safe opening of schools but I do think it is useful to remind you of the key health and safety points and add some further information. There is also a new section with guidance on what to do if you think your child or a family member may have Covid 19 and a reminder about travel restrictions. There are restrictions on entry to school where students have been in any of the restricted travel zones.

Health and Safety – key points at a glance

• PLEASE ENSURE – that your child does not come to school if they are generally unwell and/or have any possible symptoms. Remember symptoms in    young people may be mild and there are a range of possible symptoms. Currently         today we have experienced a rash of students reporting illness and we only have        limited isolation rooms.  If in doubt please keep them home and go through NHS             Inform for support. Any student who is unwell will be sent home to protect staff and        students. See the next section for further advice.

 

• All Students from S1-6 have clear supervised venues to go to for lunch and breaks when the weather is poor and students have been told this. If the weather is fine      then they will be encouraged to go outside where they will also be supervised.   Students in the senior phase who arrive early off buses may go to the Assembly Hall  when the weather is poor. We have asked senior students to arrive as close to 8:40 pm as possible.
• At this stage we are being flexible about lateness but if your child does arrive much later for school please contact us or they should provide the office with a note/      appointment card. All LATE students must sign in through the middle door
• Students may go home for lunch. Please confirm this arrangement in writing to the school. There is clarification for parents in receipt of a free school meal allowance on           our website
• It is strongly suggested no student goes out to food shops at lunchtime. S1 MUST stay in school at lunchtime all session. No students are allowed to leave at break time.     If they do enter a shop they must wear masks (unless they have a medical reason)           and not congregate in or around any premises. Shops know our break times and will        call the school if they have concerns. Police will be making safety checks.
• Mask wearing in shops has been problematic and I have been out in the community requesting all our young people comply. We have had a number of           complaints from members of the public worried about their health and safety and I    have communicated my concerns to all young people. Public health science indicates           that young people pose a very low threat to each other if they have no serious             underlying health conditions but they do pose a possible risk to adults in school and       the community. I would respectfully ask that you reinforce the need for social responsibility with you child over this matter. If your child is unable to wear a mask             please contact us to let us know.   
• School bags are allowed. Suggested equipment to bring to school was outlined on Wednesday morning – please see website
• Students must observe social distancing in all interactions with staff. This includes all movements within corridors, around teachers’ desks and in using the one way      system and must not walk to classes in such a way that brings them into close contact with staff.
• We are encouraging and supporting students to wear facemasks in school – particularly those in S5/6 as scientific evidence about the risk of them spreading          infection is less clear than for younger students. We will outline the scientific basis           to students in S5/6 this week but do respect they have the right to make a choice at     this stage.

 

What do I do if I think my child at Penicuik High School or a family member has Covid19 or is sent home with symptoms?

The safety of our pupils and staff is our main priority therefore we ask that parents and carers ensure the following instruction are strictly adhered to.

If your child is showing symptoms of Covid 19 they must stay at home and you should arrange a test. Your child should not return to school until the school has received an email containing evidence of a negative result.  Forwarding the government email or sending a screen shot of the text message will suffice.  If your child returns to school before we received this evidence we will need to remove your child into isolation and arrange for them to be collected.

The same rules must apply if an immediate family member has symptoms and needs to be tested.  Your child should not return to school until we receive evidence of the family member’s negative test result.  Again, if your child is in school before the email is received we will need to remove your child into isolation and arrange for them to be collected.

Results should be emailed to penicuik_hs@midlothian.gov.uk as a matter of urgency.

If you have any queries at any stage then please ask our advice before sending your child to school. We have a direct link to the Public Health team who can advise on all contexts.

 

Our Covid 19 point of contact in school is Ms Hollie Lyon, Acting Depute Head Teacher.

Return from Travel Overseas

We are not aware of any students who have had to quarantine after returning from a restricted travel zone but I would respectfully ask you to observe any requirement to quarantine arising from travel to a restricted zone overseas after the September or October school breaks. If you child is off for this reason please contact the school office and we will arrange work to be set on-line.

I attach a link to the relevant guidance https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/overview/ and to the list of exempt countries https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/exemptions/. Directors of Public Health and local health protection teams are available to offer further support where there are concerns.

 

Acting Up Arrangements – Senior Management Team

Mrs Burgess is currently on leave and we have therefore created two temporary Acting Depute Head Teacher posts in the school

Ms Hollie Lyon will be Acting Depute Head and Acting Head of Liddell house. She is also the Covid 19 point of contact and will assume a range of operational and strategic portfolios including learning and teaching, curriculum and employability/DYW.

Mrs Morven Murphy is Acting Depute Head with responsibility for all aspects of Pupil Support and the Health and Wellbeing of our young people.

We welcome Ms Lyon and Mrs Murphy to our team and I note they are both experienced staff who will make a very positive contribution to our on-going work in school.

If you have any queries about any of the matters raised in this update please email the school office penicuik_hs@midlothian.gov.uk

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

 

Parental Information Update

Re-Opening Penicuik High School Session 2020-21

This update outlines information on the new school day Timetable for all levels S1-3 and S4-6 as from Monday 17 August, 2020 when all students are expected to attend Penicuik High School full time. This adapted timetable will allow all students to experience their full curriculum entitlement as we reconnect and recover learning.

Key Points at a glance

• S1-3 students will start as normal at 8:30 am and MUST enter by the assigned entry door and sanitise hands before going to registration classes.
• S4-6 students will start at 8:40 am and will go straight to period 1 classes where they will be registered and school information via the normal school bulletin will be shared.
• The staggered start times will prevent bottlenecks and enable better social distancing.
• During the day the S1-3 will have a different break and lunchtime from senior students in S4-6. This will support supervision of the indoor lunch spaces assigned and enable social distancing. Please refer to the Timetable below.

Monday – Thursday S1-3		Monday – Thursday S4-6
Registration	8.30 – 8.40 am	Registration	None
Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am	Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am	Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am
Period 3	10.20 – 11.10 am	Interval	10.20 – 10.35 am
Interval	11.10 – 11.25 am	Period 3	10.35 – 11.25 am
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm	Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm
Period 5	12.15 – 1.05 pm	Lunch	12.15 – 1.00 pm
Lunch	1.05 – 1.50 pm	Period 5	1.00 – 1.50 pm
Period 6	1.50 – 2.40pm	Period 6	1.50 – 2.40pm
Period 7	2.40 – 3.30 pm	Period 7	2.40 – 3.30 pm

 

Friday S1-3		Friday S4-6
Registration	8.30 – 8.40 am	Registration	None
Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am	Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am	Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am
Interval	10.20 – 10.35 am	Period 3	10.20 – 11.10 am
Period 3	10.35 – 11.25 pm	Interval	11.10 – 11.25 pm
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm	Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm
School closes		School close

 
Health and Safety Update

The last parent communication on Tuesday 11 August laid out our health and safety protocols to enable safe opening of schools.

Some Reminders

• All students need to bring a packed lunch and a drink. No food service is available at the moment. Water is available in school.
• Students from S1-6 have clear supervised venues to go to for lunch and breaks when the weather is poor and students have been told this. If the weather is fine    then they will be encouraged to go outside where they will also be supervised.
• Students may go home for lunch. Please confirm this arrangement in writing to the school. There is clarification for parents in receipt of a free school meal allowance on our website, see HERE
• It is strongly suggested no student goes out to food shops at lunchtime. S1 MUST stay in school at lunchtime all session. No students are allowed to leave at break time. If they do enter a shop they must wear masks (unless they have a medical reason)  and not congregate in or around any premises.  Shops know our break times and will call the school if they have concerns. Police will be making safety checks.
• School bags are allowed. Suggested equipment to bring to school was outlined on Wednesday morning – please see website
• Students must observe social distancing in all interactions with staff. This includes all movements within corridors, around teacher’s desks and in using the one way    system and must not walk to classes in such a way that brings them into close contact with staff.
• We do encourage and support students wearing facemasks in school – particularly those in S5/6 as scientific evidence about the risk of them spreading infection is less  clear than for younger students
• Students MUST not run in corridors
• PE arrangements have been sent home to parents

We are aware that some rules that are in place will create inconvenience and you will not necessarily agree with all of them. Our safety protocols are in line with current health advice and the Scottish Governments Guidelines for reopening schools. The Penicuik High Schools current Risk Assessment document will be placed on our website early next week. This a dynamic document that will be updated in the face of new advice or analysis of issues arising in school.

 

If you have any queries please email the school office penicuik_hs@mgfl.net

 

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

Results and Appeals

Please see the following statement from SQA, re-issued on 13th August. Further information remains pending on an Appeals system and will be notified by SQA in due course.

 

Statement by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer. 

Tuesday 11 August 2020

Everyone at SQA fully acknowledges the strength of feeling about last week’s results among individual learners, their parents and carers – and among wider colleagues in the education system.

As the Deputy First Minister has outlined in Parliament today, through a Ministerial direction SQA will change the previous approach to certification this year and instead award candidate results based solely on the estimates provided by schools and colleges. The results of those learners who were awarded a higher grade during the process will also be maintained.

Schools and colleges already have the estimate information that will form the basis of the amended results, but we will work to ensure that centres receive their confirmed results as soon as possible and no later than the end of next week. Any candidate who has a grade changed as a result of this, will receive a new certificate. Confirmed results will also be shared with UCAS.

We are considering in more detail, with the Scottish Government, any appeals process which should support this direction and will announce further details very shortly.

We will, of course, co-operate fully and positively with the review of the awarding process for National Qualifications 2020 and the OECD Review.

Our core aim is to support the efforts of learners throughout Scotland and everyone at the SQA will work hard to ensure we fully implement the steps outlined in the Deputy First Minister’s statement to the Scottish Parliament.

Fiona Robertson

SQA Chief Executive and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer

 

Free school meals clarification

A clarification regarding BACS payments for those entitled to free school meals can be found at the link below:

https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200296/coronavirus/629/schools

Kit List for Students

Dear Parent / Carer

Due to an oversight the kit list for students was left off yesterday’s advice. My apologies for this error.

I can confirm that as per the communication sent home recently that student may bring bags to school.

Where possible students should try and bring their own equipment including:

Pens

Pencils

Eraser

Ruler

Some spare paper e.g a jotter

Calculator

Scissors

Glue

This will also be discussed with students during their induction into school today.

 

Kind regards

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

Further Parental Information

Re-Opening Penicuik High School Session 2020-21

This update outlines information on a range of matters including: arrival at school, health and safety in school, what to bring, uniform, behavioural expectations and general advice.

Key Points at a Glance

• Starting times this week are staggered and are shown below. Staggering next week will change to a permanent system that will be communicated on Friday 14th August
• There will be specific entrances at the front of the school that will be used from now on by different year groups. Hand sanitation stations will be at each entrance. All entrances will be supervised.
• In order to ensure students know where to go for Registration this session, all Year groups will first meet at the front of the school – see below. If the weather is bad we  will have an alternative venue.
• The new one way system will be discussed and a map supplied. Floor markings will also show which way to go. This may mean a longer journey to a class as YOU  cannot just cross a corridor. This will take a few days to get use to and may be modified based on our experience of its use.
• Students must not loiter or congregate inside or outside the building at any time. They must go straight to class via the one way route, When in class they must  ask permission to leave. Students who have appointments MUST sign in and out
• Student do not have to wear uniform unless they wish to. Partial uniform will be acceptable BUT students must wear clothing that is suitable and appropriate for  school – no ripped jeans, crop tops, ripped leggings, revealing clothing. These arrangements are only temporary. Guidance will contact you if we feel clothing is not suitable and formally request that they come the next day in appropriate clothing.
• Students may wear face masks and will be supported if they choose to do so. Many Staff will wear masks and/ or visors in different context that may pose a risk.
• ALL Students must bring a packed lunch to school including a drink. There will not be a formal lunch service and the Bite site will not be open at break time. The  water fountain may be used to fill up water bottles. There must be no congregating at these sites. Floor markings will ask for social distancing. Vending machines will not    be operational at this stage.
• A simple Classroom Covid code to promote key behaviours will be discussed with students and the code will be shared with all students. ALL students must follow the health and safety rules put in place. Any student who deliberately breaks the rules  will be removed and isolated pending a decision on disciplinary  action. Serious breaches could result in exclusion. PLEASE EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR POSITIVE  BEHAVIOURS AT ALL TIMES WITH YOUR CHILD
• A letter will be coming out to all students with arrangements for PE. Please note the instructions in the letter. We will not be able to use the changing  rooms as they are too small for large groups.
• S1 will have a special Re-connection programme and this will include an emphasis on health and safety, school orientation, nurture and resilience and an introduction to their timetabled classes
• All other classes will have a specific health and safety briefing in Registration class and then start their timetabled classes. Staff will be helping them reconnect with school and focus on classroom learning. There will be an emphasis on nurture and resilience for all levels.
• Student re-coursing will occur across these days – generally by appointment and keeping socially distant as appropriate.
• Student are able to bring a bag, See below for information on what they should bring to school.
• The school has restricted access and no visitors are allowed unless they have the permission of the Head Teacher. Meetings with parents will need to be virtual and/or by telephone. Parents will not be able to drop off lunches or PE / other resources. N.B. We will take care of any situation where students do not have lunch.
• If you drop your student off by car please just drop them off in Carlops Rd as normal and move off. Parents must not enter the school grounds and no parents  should congregate or meet outside the school

 

A reminder about our phased re-opening plan?

The following phased return of student has been discussed and agreed by SMT. The phased return allows us to ensure that we can induct and orientate students who have been absent from school for five months. Many of our young people will feel anxious and uncertain about what to expect and what the rules will mean for them as individuals. In particular, we are prioritising the new S1 students who missed out on being in school as part of their transition and those in the Senior Phase S4-6. We will as part of the re-phasing also need to assist young people with re-coursing.

The information given here includes the dates/days different year levels should attend.

Phased Return Details – Re-Connect Programme 2020

Day / Date	Year levels to attend on that date	Other activities
Wednesday 12 August	All new S1 students All incoming S5/6 students only	Re-coursing appointments Re-connect – vulnerable students
Thursday 13 August	All new S1 students All incoming S4 students only	Re-coursing appointments S5/6 Re-connect – vulnerable students
Friday 14 August	All new S1 students All incoming S2/3 students only	Re-connect – vulnerable students Re-coursing appointments S5/6
Monday 17 August	All students  to attend- fully open	Re-coursing appointments (including S4 and S2 issues)

 

Only S1 students will be in each day. The re-coursing discussions will run across the three days Wednesday 12 August until Friday 14 August and into the next week. We will also be picking up vulnerable students for one-to-one support,

The S1 Re-connect programme will work on orientating students to their new school and fully explaining the health and safety rules and processes in place to protect them and others. There will also be a focus on health and well-being taking a nurture approach and building resilience to cope with the new normal in school. If S1 parents/carers have any concerns about their child they should contact the school who will direct their query to the most appropriate staff member. S1 students will also start to experience normal subject classes as we move to full opening on 17 August.

Other year groups will be given full safety briefings before they start moving into subject classes. At S2 there will also be a focus on health and well-being

What time do I come to school this week and where do I go?

S1	Wed 12 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but we will help you get use to the systems. A one way system will be in place.
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S1	Thurs 13 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Enter via designated door and and go to new Registration class using the one way system.  You will be given a personal Timetable today that you will start following. We will help you find your way around the one way system
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S1	Friday 14 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Enter via designated door and go to new Registration class using the one way system. You will be following your new Timetable. We will help you find your way around the one way system
		School finishes	12:15 pm- leave by the designated door

N.B S1 will attend all three days

 

Other Year Groups

S5 and S6	Wed 12 August	Arrive by 8:45 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will receive a personal Timetable You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but you will become familiar with it. A one way system will be in place.
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S4	Thurs 13 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will receive a personal Timetable You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but we will help you become familiar with the systems. A one way system will be in place
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S2 and S3	Friday 14 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. You will receive a personal Timetable S2 should assemble at the end nearest the HT office and S3 should assemble Staff will be supervising. You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but you will become familiar with it. A one way system will be in place
		School finishes	12:15 pm – leave by the designated door

 

What will the School Timetable be the first week?

Monday to Thursday			Friday
Registration	As above		Registration	As above
	Until 9:30 am			Until 9:30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20		Period 2	9.30 – 10.20
INTERVAL	10.20 – 10.35		INTERVAL	10.20 – 10.35
Period 3	10.35 – 11.25		Period 3	10.35 – 11.25
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15		Period 4	11.25 – 12.15
Period 5	12.15 – 13.05		School Closes	12.15
LUNCH	13.05 – 13.50
Period 6	13.50 – 14.40
Period 7	14.40 – 15.30
School Closes	15.30

 

Information about staggered lunchtimes and breaks for next week will be sent out on Friday 14-8-20

 

Key Health and Safety Measures

What measures are in place as our young people return?

• Clear Covid classroom code
• Clear Health and safety briefing for all staff and students
• Hand sanitisers at entry/ exit points and every room
• Controlled door entry for each year level at front of school
• Staggered times for starting school/ break times/ Lunch
• Designated wet weather spaces for Groups for lunch – supervision in place
• Spray and paper towels for students to clean desks at the beginning of the period
• One way system in key parts of school to stop large groups congregating while moving
• Adult to adult – social distancing 2M
• Adult to child social distancing 2M
• Face masks/ visors for staff. Students may wear masks
• Relaxed Uniform rules for ease of washing
• Medical isolation rooms available for unwell staff / students
• No sharing of resources/ equipment and where this occurs material available to clean them after use
• restricted visitor access
• No large staff or student meetings that are not risk assessed
• Ensuring good ventilation in rooms
• Signage re hand washing/ social distancing and the one way system
• Limits on the number of people in communal toilets

All of our systems will be under continual review and the dynamic risk assessment will be published t our website early next week

 

Further Lunch information

Students must bring their own packed lunch to school each day including those eligible for free school meals until 18 September. S1 students must stay in school. We are encouraging all student to stay in school during lunchtime. If students choose to leave school to buy lunch they will be expected to wear face masks in shops and MUST not congregate in large groups. The school will be checking on this and Police will also be monitoring the behaviour of young people. Local shopkeepers are also aware of this risk.

If you are experiencing any financial hardship that is affecting your ability to provide food, transport or clothing for your child please contact the school in confidence to discuss.

 

Concerns

If you are concerned about the welfare of your child at any stage please do not hesitate to contact the school who will direct you to the most appropriate staff member.

For any S6 or other school leaver – we are also keen to support leavers who need help in the aftermath of eth Covi19 lockdown. Please email the school if you want to speak to a staff member.

 

 

Please Note: Any arrangements noted here or in later communications may need to be reviewed and revised based on current national or local advice. Where any sudden changes are made we will communicate with you urgently via; Group call, the School website, Twitter and via the Parent Association Facebook page

 

 

 

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

 

Midlothian Council Parental Advice Home to School Transport

Letter from Fiona Robertson, Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships, Midlothian Council

Introduction

This guidance is designed to support a safe return to school for all children and young people taking full account of progress made in suppressing COVID-19 in Scotland, the scientific advice received and the advice of the National Education Recovery Group and other key stakeholders.

Midlothian Council will continue to deliver Home to School transport as per the current Education Policy rule of 2 Miles for all pupils attending their catchment school. The Transport Plan in place pre-covid19 lockdown will be re-established with limited changes as per the scientific advice received and the advice of the National Education Recovery Group.

Dedicated School Transport

Dedicated school transport should be treated as an extension of the school estate. Enhanced cleaning of dedicated school transport vehicles will be important, especially where vehicles are used for other purposes before and after transporting children to and from school. Personal hand and respiratory hygiene is important, including sanitisation of hands prior to boarding.

Distancing between children and young people on dedicated school transport is not required, although where possible some practical approaches to grouping and distancing are provided. Pupils will fill the bus rear to front as per their boarding.

Midlothian Council strongly recommend face coverings on all school transport to provide a consistent message in line with national guidance for public transport and to minimise any confusion. The exemption rules for face coverings are the same as public transport and an exemption card can be found at https://disabilityequality.scot/face-covering/

Non Entitled seats will not be offered on any dedicated school routes at present during the covid19 pandemic. The situation will be reviewed every 3 months.

Public Transport

Face coverings on public transport must be worn. It remains the responsibility of parent/carers to ensure that their child follows national guidance when using public transport.

Dedicated and Public Transport

Midlothian Council seeks your support with the hygiene practice expected to prevent transmission. Therefore, we are asking that on your child’s first journey back to school that your child has washed or sanitised their hands in line with public health guidance. To support children and young people to continue with good respiratory hygiene practice we will provide your child with a washable face mask on their first day back in school. Any family that is concerned about not having a face covering for their child’s first journey to school should contact their school directly.

Passes and Letters

Midlothian is producing letters and passes for all routes and letters detailing the transport for each pupil will be sent out this week. Passes will, as normal, be distributed from the schools. Parents should contact the Operator for information on route pick up and times. The impact on Transport has meant we may have made changes from the previous times and locations.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships
cathy.lailvaux@midlothian.gov.uk

 

A copy of the letter can be downloaded READ HERE.

Walking and cycling to Midlothian Schools

Midlothian Council has provided this guidance for walking or cycling to school.

Physical Distance Guidance

With so many people walking and cycling during the lockdown phase of the Coronavirus crisis, we are keen to build even more on our pre-crisis great active travel figures! Whilst it may be tempting to travel by car, fresh air and exercise are vital and we want to continue to keep the areas around Midlothian schools as safe as possible.

Please walk or cycle to school if you can; if you do need to travel by car, please park around 5/10 mins away from school and have a short walk in.

Thank you for your anticipated support with this aim.

Guidance and Good Practice

• If your usual route appears busy, is there another route you could use?
• If one side of the street is busy with pedestrians can you cross over safely to use a quieter footpath?
• Remember to stick to Scottish Government guidance and keep a distance between you and other pedestrians/family groups.
• If access to school is crowded, stand back and queue with adequate spacing.
• If cycling, be mindful of pedestrians entering school, dismount bike and queue to enter school grounds.
• If walking and cycling, keep to the left and give priority where indicated by footpath signage.
• At school crossing guides (lollipop) sites please practice physical distancing and give the guide and other pedestrians’ adequate space.
• Please remember to have no physical contact with school crossing guides under any circumstances.
• If using bike or scooter storage in schools, please remember hand hygiene using hand gel or washing your hands after use.
• Remember the importance of hand washing! Wash hands before and after a trip or journey to school.

Summary

In summary, please just use common-sense and keep yourself and your friends and family safe whilst getting this important exercise and fresh air on the way to school, keeping our school gates as safe as possible.

Thank you for your help and enjoy your walk/cycle to school!

If you do have any concerns/ideas that you’d like to share, please contact Gillian.Bathgate@midlothian.gov.uk

Letter to Parents

Letter written by Fiona Robertson Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships, Midlothian Council

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that you have all had a lovely summer and an opportunity to spend time with family friends.

As you know, the Scottish Government has announced that the scientific advice and evidence in relation to the current suppression of COVID-19 will allow the full time return of all schools and early learning and childcare settings from the start of the new term in August.

We are delighted with this news, and our staff are very much looking forward to welcoming your children back to school.

Early Learning and Childcare

For those with younger children, we have already confirmed with you that early learning and childcare will start with transition activities from the 12^th August. We are pleased to advise that our early learning and childcare settings will be moving to implementing the delivery of 1140 hours expansion for 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds as soon as we practically can. Further information will be sent out to all families with children in early learning and childcare settings in due course.

Primary, Secondary and Special Schools

P2-P7 Primary School children will resume full time from Wednesday 12^th August.  From Wednesday 12 August, there will be a phased start to full time education for our P1s under individual school arrangements until they are in full time from Monday 17 August. The school will be in touch with you directly to share these individual arrangements for P1 children. To confirm, all P1-P7 will be in fulltime from the 17 August.

For Secondary Schools, all S1s will start secondary school on Wednesday 12 August full time and schools will be in touch with you directly to share arrangements for S2-S6 pupils for the period 12^th – 14^th August. ALL secondary school pupils will be back in full time from Monday 17^th August. Re-coursing of senior pupils will be completed by 18^th August to ensure all young people have a timetable in place for the year ahead with exceptions made for individual circumstances.

Our primary and secondary schools will communicate their own individual arrangements to their parents and carers as soon as possible, and certainly no later than Monday 10^th August.

Saltersgate School will provide information for parents / carers on the arrangements in place for pupils attending the school.

Safe return to school for all children and young people

I know that you will have questions and concerns around aspects of your child’s return to school and I hope that the following information may help to address these.

Risk Assessment

All schools and ELC settings have been risk assessed with colleagues from our Health and Safety service, with enhanced health and safety measures and protocols put in place that follow the current public health and government guidance.

These include observing the age-appropriate physical distancing measures outlined by current government guidance as well as public health advice to help reduce the spread of the virus, guidance on handwashing and hygiene, use of PPE, updated fire safety arrangements and use of transport.

Dropping Off and Picking up

Schools will make individual plans for their own contexts for the dropping off and picking up of children. These plans will be communicated to you by individual schools but will include:

• Possible staggered start and finish times to avoid congestion in the playground (all times will be within a 15 minute bracket of the school’s usual start and finish times).
• School grounds will be closed to everyone until 15 minutes prior to the first start time so please do not bring your child to school, or encourage them to come to school early. If a breakfast club is operating at your child’s school the school will communicate with you separately arrangements for arrival at the school.
• Guidance on where your child should enter the school building as the national guidance suggests as many entrances as possible are used to minimise congestion
• Plans for children sanitising their hands on the way in to and out of the building
• Previous arrangements to discuss any matter concerning your child at the start or end of the school day will no longer be feasible. Guidance for parents and carers about how they should safely communicate with school staff will be issued by your child’s school; almost all of these meetings will be virtual unless this is not feasible and will take account of individual circumstances
• Guidance on safe, active travel, minimising traffic and no large gatherings around the school building

Lunches

All children and young people should bring a packed lunch to school with them until Friday 18 September, following which there will be further guidance issued. BACs payments will continue until this time for those entitled to free school meals. Pupils will eat their lunch in identified classrooms or appropriate spaces within the school building to avoid mass gatherings of children in line with national guidance.

Leaving School at Lunchtime

If pupils leave their school building at lunchtime Midlothian Council expects that they will wear face coverings when entering local shops and not gather in large groups our in the community in line with national guidance and expectations. It is important that our secondary school pupils who normally leave the school building with their peers to use local services understand the need to adhere to this national guidance to assist with the safety of all when they return to the school building.

School Uniform

There will be a relaxed approach to dress code at this time to allow for regular washing of clothes. This will be revised and updated for pupils returning to school after the September break. You may send your child to school in their school uniform if you wish to do so.

Face Masks, Face Coverings and PPE in schools

Midlothian Council has provided all school staff with face visors as enhanced protection. Some staff may wear face masks to support any children and young people who are working in close proximity to pupils or choose to do so for personal reasons. You may wish to discuss this with your child to ensure that they are prepared for staff wearing visors and masks. Children and young people will be familiar with people wearing visors and face coverings if they have been out and about in their local facilities and communities. In certain circumstances, staff may wear enhanced PPE as required when working in specific environments.

Cleaning

Every school will have an enhanced cleaning regime in place, with staff on duty throughout the school day. Toilets, door handles, bannisters and other surfaces in constant use will be cleaned on a rotational basis to ensure the highest possible levels of cleanliness.

Contingency Plans

There is a strict protocol in place for the reporting of suspected COVID cases, and the procedures to be followed by schools. We must ask parents and carers NOT to send their child to school if they display any of the common symptoms:

• new continuous cough
• fever/ high temperature
• loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia)

If a child displaying any of these symptoms is sent to school, we will ask parents and carers to make arrangements to have them collected immediately.

Further guidance on this can be found on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/

You will be aware that our schools had plans in place for remote learning and blended learning prior to the announcement of a full return to school. The plans remain in place as a contingency for any change to the current position.

School Transport

For those children and young people who come to school via public or dedicated school transport a separate communication will be sent confirming the arrangements for 12 August onwards.

 

We appreciate your support at this time, and that this has been a very difficult time for children, young people and their families. We can assure you that our arrangements are focused on getting it right for every Midlothian child, and ask that you understand these need to be flexible to allow us to adapt to current and changing circumstances.

We would be grateful if you could discuss with your child the importance of following the arrangements and protocols put in place in their school to ensure their safety and that of others. Our safety measures and expectations with regard to behaviour must be followed, and schools will be in contact with the parents/ carers of any child or young person who is behaving in an unsafe manner and placing themselves and others at risk.

Our schools and early learning and childcare settings are very keen to support any children and young people who may need some extra help as a result of lockdown and the interruption to their learning. If you feel you need to have further discussion about your child’s return to school, for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school.

 

Finally, thank you very much again for your support. I very much look forward to welcoming your child back to school next week, and to supporting their learning and wellbeing.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships
Midlothian Council

To download a copy of this letter CLICK HERE.