South Lanarkshire council is now able to confirm plans for the re-opening of their schools and nurseries after the festive break.
Following the Scottish Government’s latest guidance, the holiday period will be extended for most pupils by one week and thereafter there will be a period of online learning for those pupils.
Schools and nurseries will reopen as follows:
Schools
- Wednesday 6 January: no pupils will attend schools. The Scottish Government has agreed that this day should be used by returning staff to prepare for pupil return.
- Thursday 7 January: A small number of young people will return to their own school. These will be the children of designated key workers who have no alternative childcare (see link below), plus schools will make contact with individual families whose children may require access to school for other reasons. Existing transport arrangements will be in place from 7 January onwards.
- Monday 11 January: All pupils begin a week of online learning. Individual schools will be in touch with parents/carers to explain how this will work.
- Monday 18 January: Current plans are for pupils to return to school.
Nurseries
- Tuesday 5 January: Standalone nurseries – A small number of children will return to their own nursery. These will be the children of designated key workers who have no alternative childcare (see link below), plus nurseries will make contact with individual families whose children may require access to nursery for other reasons. Existing transport arrangements will be in place from 5 January onwards. Children who attend a funded provider should check with them for their opening arrangements.
- Monday 7 January: Nursery classes – A small number of children will return to their own nursery class. These will be the children of designated key workers who have no alternative childcare (see link below), plus nurseries will make contact with individual families whose children may require access to nursery for other reasons. Existing transport arrangements will be in place from 7 January onwards.
The council will continue with Free School meal payments for families during the extended holiday period (6 to 8 January) and the week of remote learning (11 to 15 January).
Tony McDade, Executive Director for Education, said: “This has been a difficult year for everyone and I want to thank our schools and nurseries staff for their magnificent response to changing arrangements and conditions.
“I also want to thank our pupils and their parents and carers for their own understanding and resilience.
“We are letting people know about these latest changes at the earliest opportunity, including contacting parents and carers directly. I appreciate everyone’s understanding and I wish everyone as happy and peaceful Christmas as possible.”
The full details of school return, including the qualification criteria for children of key workers, can be found on the council’s website.
