On Thursday 31 July, the First Minister, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, updated parliament on the reopening of schools in August. She confirmed that schools across the country are expected to return from Tuesday 11th August. Our students will return from Wednesday 12th August and specific information about the phased return is included below
Additional guidance to support the safe return to school was also published on the Scottish Government website. School staff at Penicuik High School are reviewing this guidance to ensure our plans are compliant with this latest Health and Safety guidance
Key messages outlined by the First Minister, with an additional explanation from the school included in italics.
One of the key issues that will be highlighted in further guidance on re-opening that will come out prior to the 12 August is that the responsibility for the safety of others in our school community is the responsibility of all members – staff, students, and parents. We will be very clear in our expectations and will take clear and swift actions where any behaviours result in a risk to the health and safety of others.
The Scottish Government guidance can be accessed via the link below
What is our Phased Re-opening Plan?
The following phased return of students 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. I also note that staff will need to direct working time to preparing materials for SQA appeals.
Information was sent out yesterday – 4 August with regard to SQA Results, the appeals process and re-coursing and this will also be available via the website.
The information given here includes the dates/days different year levels should attend next week as well as a reminder about the period timing for our new timetable structure. We are still considering the need for staggering starting times slightly for S1-3 and Senior phase students when we are fully open on the 17 August and will inform you next week of any change to the School period times below. It is likely it will only be a change to attending morning Registration for part of the school cohort.
School will open and close as per the normal timetable shown below during the phased return next week. School transport will run at the normal times. Further information about school transport will be included in our next communication.
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)
|
Phased Return Details – Re-Connect Programme 2020
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.
Reminder -School Timetable from August 2020
32 teaching periods per week plus 10 minute registration period each day
7 Periods: Monday – Thursday
4 periods: Friday
Period timings – 50 minutes
Monday – Thursday | |
Registration | 8.30 – 8.40 am |
Period 1 | 8.40 – 9.30 am |
Period 2 | 9.30 – 10.20 am |
Period 3 | 10.20 – 11.10 am |
Interval | 11.10 – 11.25 am |
Period 4 | 11.25 – 12.15 pm |
Period 5 | 12.15 – 1.05 pm |
Lunch | 1.05 – 1.50 pm |
Period 6 | 1.50 – 2.40pm |
Period 7 | 2.40 – 3.30 pm |
Registration 10 minutes
Friday | |
Registration | 8.30 – 8.40 am |
Period 1 | 8.40 – 9.30 am |
Period 2 | 9.30 – 10.20 am |
Interval | 10.20 – 10.35 am |
Period 3 | 10.35 – 11.25 pm |
Period 4 | 11.25 – 12.15 pm |
School closes |
Uniform
As indicated in earlier communications we have taken the decision to suspend official uniform until after the October break. This will allow you to cope more easily with the need to change clothes each day, and it gives parent/ carers time to purchase new uniform items. If students wish to wear uniform they may do so.
If any parent/ carer is experiencing financial hardship, I would encourage you to contact the school in confidence so we can support you. There is a Council Clothing grant and your child may also be eligible to have a free school meal. Other support may also be available through the schools hardship fund.
Lunch
Students must bring their own packed lunch to school each day including those eligible for free school meals until further notice. S1 students must stay in school. We are encouraging all students 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.
Health and Safety
Further information in relation to our local school Risk Assessment and health and safety protocols will be shared with parents / carers but key points to note are:
Please Note: Any arrangements noted here or in later communication 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)
Dear Parent/ Carer
Senior phase student will now have received their official SQA results through MySQA and or by mail. If for any reason you have had an issue receiving you results please email the school office or phone to seek advice.
Information on the SQA Post Results Review process
The SQA will issue students with their results on the 4th of August. Whilst we hope that students will be pleased with their achievements, we know that some students may be disappointed.
In June the SQA released details of their post-results service, the link to this announcement can be found here. This year we can submit student evidence to the SQA and this will be reviewed alongside submitted coursework. This service will be free to schools.
Who can request a Post-Results Review?
Only schools can request and submit post-results reviews. Parents and students cannot contact the SQA to arrange this. Critically, this service is only available to students whose final award is lower than the estimate submitted by the school to the SQA. This means that we cannot submit requests for all students who are disappointed with their result(s), only those that have had their estimate grade lowered through the SQA’s awarding process.
How will I know if I am eligible?
The SQA will issue us a list of students that are eligible for a post results review and we will give this to subject teams for consideration. If we decide to make a review request on a student’s behalf we will seek consent for this.
If a student or parent wishes to be considered for a post-results review they should email: penicuik_hs@midlothian.gov.uk stating their child’s full name and the subject requested. You will receive a response from the SQA Coordinator informing you whether or not a request can be made. If it can, we will move ahead with this for you.
What if I need my Post-Results Review urgently for College/ University?
Priority Reviews can be submitted, if eligible, and these are resulted quickly. If you wish to make a request for this service, you also need to provide the details of the university/ college and the course applied for. SQA will communicate the results of priority reviews directly with universities and colleges to ensure a quick resolution.
What if I’m disappointed with my grade, but not eligible for a Post-Results Review?
We would ask you to consider your performance across the year; whether or not you have been ‘on track’ to pass and whether you have demonstrated attainment at a grade higher than you have achieved. The grade you have achieved may be disappointing but that doesn’t mean it has been unfair.
Subject teams have taken full consideration of a wide range of evidence from all students, including prior attainment to infer estimate grades for students. Subject Department estimates estimates have also been subject to rigorous quality assurance by senior staff in school, to ensure that they were fair, robust and reliable.
If you feel that you wish to discuss your grade outcome further then you can contact the Head Teacher via the email address penicuik_hs@midlothian.gov.uk
Process Timeline for Reviews
Re-Coursing Process
Following the release of SQA results on Tuesday 4th August some students may wish to review and revise the subjects they opted for in March In many cases changes are an inevitable result of the SQA process with students not securing the award they targeted or in some cases they have changed their career aspirations.
It is our advice that students should not wait on the outcome of any SQA Post Results Review and should initiate the re-coursing conversation as soon as they can. We are aiming to settle student course options as quickly as possible Parent/ Carers and students should also note that while we will do our best to meet your request to take up a course there may be some restrictions due to staffing and /or the numbers choosing to take a subject. Where there are issues a staff member – normally the Guidance Teacher, will be in contact to discuss the situation and look at other options.
Those students who think they need a face to face appointment to review their choices and look at alternatives should make an appointment with their Guidance teacher via our school email penicuik_hs@midlothian.gov.uk
Students should clearly name their Guidance teacher and outline the re-coursing issues they have and the subjects / levels involved.
All appointments will be scheduled from Tuesday 11th August with time and dates confirmed via telephone or email via the school office. Appointments may be carried out by phone or face to face depending on numbers and demand.
Craig Biddick
Head Teacher (Acting)
Letter from Fiona Robertson, Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships, Midlothian Council.
Hello and welcome to our new website.
You should find the website easy to navigate using the menu tabs along the top of the home page. We will be using the news section of the website to keep you informed of the ongoing situation regarding COVID 19 and the return to school in August.
We hope you all have a lovely summer holiday and we cannot wait to welcome our pupils back in August.
Details on Midlothian Council’s route map through and out of COVID-19 can be found HERE.
Please note that uniform expectations are suspended during blended learning. Pupils should wear appropriate attire to school to ensure they are comfortable and protected during blended learning.
The changes to the uniform policy, which were due to take effect in August 2020, have now been postponed. Once we return to a full timetable in school we will revisit the proposals to introduce blazers.