Hello,

Yesterday parents and carers were sent text messages advising of their child’s allocation of day/s for the 15th March until the Easter Holidays.  We are working hard to ensure that the timetable that will be in place meets the constraints set down by the Scottish Government  within their paperwork issued to schools on the 8th of March.

The following considerations have been taken into account within the revised timetable:

• The need to prioritise pupils in the Senior Phase (S4-S6) as they complete the work that will be vital in helping them to achieve their qualifications and get the grades that they have worked for.
• The need to ensure 2 metre distancing for all staff and learners throughout the school.
• The need to reduce transition points during the school day, reducing the number of contacts on a daily basis.
• The capacity on school transport to ensure physical distancing requirements.

Everyone within the school building will be required to wear face coverings throughout the day unless they are exempt for medical or additional support needs. Lateral flow testing kits are available for all staff and Senior Phase learners these can be collected from the school office.  It is anticipated that pupils will return to school in school uniform with added layers for warmth as appropriate. Windows will be open regardless of the weather to provide ventilation in classrooms.  Physical Education will continue to take place outdoors only, please ensure children come prepared for this if PE is on their timetable.

Pupils will be issued with their new timetable next week, this timetable will remain in place until June 2021.  All learners will attend classes in double period blocks to allow reduction in the number of contacts on a daily basis and the assessment of pupils work towards their qualification’s. Senior Phase learners have been allocated two days in school and BGE (S1 -S3) one day. It is expected that pupils are completing their school work across the remainder of the week by remote learning.  Learners who have a place allocated within the childcare hub will continue to have access to this place until their full time return to in school learning.

During the period of blended learning from the 15 – 26 March 2021 all learners are requested to remain on campus for break and lunchtime to support the community who remain in lockdown.  This will remain the position until the  COVID 19 tier level information for Dumfries and Galloway is released from the Scottish Government.

Senior Phase pupils who are considering leaving or are at the end of S6 will be required to remain in school until the end of June 2021 to complete their qualifications. Exceptional circumstances will be considered please contact your child’s Pupil Support Teacher or Year Head to discuss as required.

It is hoped that all learners will be able to return full time in school education after the Easter Holidays in line with the Scottish Government timeline, as always we await confirmation of this and any changes will be intimated to you in due course.

I look forward to meeting all learners next week.