Changes to the School Day

Dear parent/carer

I hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and safe.

As you will already be aware there have been some relaxations of Covid-19 restrictions in society however, in schools in South Lanarkshire have maintained high levels of mitigation to limit the spread of the virus.  While in lockdown we worked online in a double period format and maintained this format for the period of our return before and now after the summer break.  However this format is not best suited for a high quality learner experience, for the motivation or for the engagement of our pupils.

So with this in mind, we will operate an amended version of our single period timetable (including morning registration) as shown below, from Tuesday 28 September.  We will maintain our sanitising, face mask and desk wiping mitigations to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and we will reduce the numbers of large crowds by continuing with our split lunch and interval set up.

What will the school day look like?

What happens at interval and lunchtime?

Pupils will be encouraged to remain outside whenever possible.  School lunches will be provided as normal.  All pupils will be able to leave the school grounds for lunch if they wish but must follow our hand sanitising protocols when they return.  No food purchased outside the school should be brought into the building (other than packed lunches).

Will pupils wear school uniform?

Pupils will wear full uniform as usual.  On days where pupils attend PE and it is an identified practical period, they will be allowed to wear their PE kit to school.  We will share further advice regarding PE when it is received.

How will pupils move around the school?

Corridors remain divided by a yellow line.  Pupils should stay left of this line at all times.  Pupils should also turn left when they leave the classroom and use the first stairs they arrive at. This will reduce congestion in corridors.

Will mitigations still be in place?

We are working on the basis of our current level of mitigation.  That is to say that all pupils and staff will wear mask at all times unless exempt; pupils and staff will sanitise hands on entry and exit from the building and classrooms; desks will be cleaned down at the end of each session; staff will remain 2m from all pupils and from each other.

What about parents’ events?

There will be no face to face parent events certainly in the short term.  There is work ongoing in Education Resources that may result in virtual parent events.  We will share more details as they become available.

All of these arrangements are subject to change depending on updates from the Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire Council.

Regards,

Skayne Dodds