Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney, advised that all schools and local authority early learning and childcare settings should close with effect from 5pm on Friday, 20 March, with the exception of any critical provision to protect the following key interests and groups – key workers, educational continuity and vulnerable children.
The Council are developing plans around this and further information will be shared.
Continue to receive learning and care
Mr Swinney offered further details on how children and young people in Scotland would continue to receive learning and care during this unprecedented emergency situation.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney made a number of key points, including:
- A need to support vulnerable children, particularly in respect of free schools meals, those with additional support needs and those at risk
- Continuing education as much as possible for children and young people, with a particular focus on S4-S6 pupils who have to complete coursework for national qualifications
- Putting in place arrangements to ensure the children of key workers – such as NHS and social care staff - have access to all-age learning and childcare, allowing their parents and carers to participate in the national response to COVID-19
- A commitment to work with local authorities to continue the provision of free school meals
- For the first time ever, there will be no exam diet this year, though qualifications will still be awarded using coursework, assessments and prior attainment
- People should not assume that schools and nurseries will re-open after Easter. This will be kept under constant review.
The Council’s Education Service is working on these points as a priority and further information will be shared with the public through the Council’s and schools’ communication channels as soon as possible.
To read the full statement from Mr Swinney, head here to the Scottish Government website.
In the meantime we encourage our residents to continue to follow the national guidance from:
NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19#stay-at-home-advice
Scottish Government: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/