Covid19 Briefing for Pupils, Parents and Carers
12 February 2021 at 11:16:31
Information Correct at Date of Publication Last Published on: Thursday, 11 February, 2021
Remember FACTS!
- Face Coverings
- Avoid Crowds
- Clean Hands
- Two Metres
- Self Isolate
Thank You!
As we embark on the February holiday weekend, we would like to pause and say thank you to all our pupils and parents for your work and commitment to maintaining remote learning throughout this challenging term and hope that both parents and children have a well-earned break over the long weekend.
We would also like to thank and acknowledge the work of all our staff in schools for their tireless work to support and provide learning for children in school and at home.
Topics
Phased Return to School Attendance
Key Workers & Vulnerable Pupils
Covid-19 Testing for Staff & Senior Pupils
Free School Meal Financial Support
February Break
Schools will now be closed to all pupils and staff for the February long weekend and will re-open for children of key workers and approved vulnerable pupils only on Tuesday 16th February. During this period of closure, there will be no provision of home learning and teachers will not be monitoring and communicating on digital platforms until school returns on Tuesday.
Phased Return to School Attendance
Subject to a final approval from Scottish Government, expected on 16th February, nurseries and schools will be able to begin a phased return of some children and young people from 22nd February 2021.
During this first phase, we expect that the following will be permitted to attend but this will only be confirmed once Scottish Government publish their final decision next week.
- All children in Early Learning and Childcare settings.
- All children in Primary 1-3
- Identified children with additional support needs
- Pupils in S4-6 requiring to complete practical coursework for national qualifications. (No more than 5-8% of school roll at any one time)
As well as the above categories of pupils, registered key workers and approved vulnerable pupils from other age groups will continue to be able to attend.
We appreciate that, if it's confirmed, the attendance of P1-3 only will present some challenges for Comhairle schools where multiple composite classes are very common. We will be required to implement this as per Scottish Government requirements and will not be able to take in other year groups within a composite that includes the permitted classes.
Key Workers & Vulnerable Pupils
As we remain under tier four restrictions, schools must continue to strictly apply the Scottish Government rules about the permitted attendance of pupils in schools and nurseries. This is to ensure that the attendance of both children and staff is kept to an absolute minimum.
Registered key workers must only use the provision when there is absolutely no other childcare option available and strictly only when physically attending at work. Where there are two parents/carers involved in the care of the child, BOTH must be required to attend at work as key workers.
Any registered key workers found to be using the provision when they shouldn't be may have their registration cancelled.
Schools have identified and agreed the attendance of vulnerable pupils in line with definitions set out by Scottish Government. This may include full or part-time attendance at school depending on the specific needs and circumstances of each child and schools will discuss arrangements with each family.
Covid-19 Testing for Staff & Senior Pupils
From Tuesday 16th February 2021, school staff and pupils in S4-6 that are attending in school will be able to access regular Covid-19 home testing.
All S4-6 pupils attending at school will be provided with full information about the home testing programme on their first day of attendance and school offices will be providing additional information to parents.
Key facts of the home testing programme for S4-6:
- The programme is voluntary and no pupils will be forced to participate or face any detriment or exclusion because of non-participation.
- Participation requires consent and only those that submit consent will be registered.
- Pupils under 16 years of age or with additional needs will require the consent forms to be completed by parents, others will be able to provide direct consent themselves.
- Schools will process consent forms and issue home testing kits to pupils. Each kit should last at least 3½ weeks.
- Tests must be administered at home and results logged online in a secure portal. The test generates a result within approximately 30 mins.
- When attending at school, tests should be taken twice a week, approximately 3-4 days apart.
- Tests should only be administered by those attending school. Anyone continuing to learn at home does not need to take tests.
- Home tests are intended for those without symptoms. Anyone displaying symptoms must immediately self-isolate and call 01851 601151 to request an NHS test then follow all current public health advice.
- If a home test returns a positive result, the person must self-isolate and follow the instructions contained in the test kit. Please also notify the school as quickly as possible.
- A negative test does not mean that other Covid-19 measures can be relaxed. Everyone attending at school buildings must continue to follow all other control measures, including use of face coverings, physical distancing and strong hand hygiene.
ELC and P1 Enrolment
Any parents or carers that have yet to complete enrolment for nursery or school should do so as quickly as possible. Please contact your preferred nursery for information about enrolment. P1 enrolment is completed online.
The Comhairle operates a Gaelic First policy for enrolment in nursery and primary and your preferred school or setting will be able to provide information and answer questions about Gaelic Medium Education.
Free School Meal Financial Support
As the period of restricted school attendance goes on, the Comhairle will continue to make financial support payments to families for any children registered for Free School Meals. These payments will continue to be made for as long as pupils are unable to access their meal entitlement in school.
National Qualifications 2021
The Comhairle, our schools and our pupils and parents continue to await detailed information from the Scottish Qualifications Authority about how the continued closure of school will affect the process of national qualification awards going forward.
Be assured that school staff continue to work to gather evidence and prepare course materials for the awards process and the ability to allow small numbers of pupils back into school from 22nd February 2021 to finish practical course work is a positive step towards the completion of portfolios and to provide evidence for awards.
Schools will be in contact with pupils once arrangements for this are confirmed and timetables for safe attendance are agreed.
We will share further information with pupils and parents as soon as we receive it from the SQA and Scottish Government.
Covid-19 Symptoms
- a high temperature - this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (37.8˚c or higher)
- a new, continuous cough- this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
If you believe that any member of your household is displaying any of the symptoms of Covid-19 described above, you must act promptly.
- Self-Isolate: All members of the household must immediately self-isolate. Children in the household must not be sent to school or nursery.
- Ask for a Test: All members of the household with symptoms should be referred for a Covid-19 test. or telephone 01851 601151.
- Inform: Ensure that you promptly notify employers and any schools or nurseries that your household is self-isolating and awaiting testing.
Links to Latest Advice
The following links provide access to the most current published arrangements relating to Covid-19.
Scottish Government Coronavirus Index of Information
Scottish Government Latest Protection Levels
Scottish Government Advice for Travel & Transport
Scottish Government International Travel Advice
CNES Coronavirus Information Page
NHS Western Isles Coronavirus Site
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