As indicated already, although the Scottish Government have taken the decision to close all schools to young people from 5pm Friday 20th March 2020, there will be special provision made for pupils  in one of 3 critical groups:
1. Children of Key Workers
2. Educational Continuity (SQA requirements)
3. Vulnerable Young People .

We will identify and contact pupils in Groups 2 and 3 directly.

The questionnaire issued earlier this week has given us a good picture of the number of parents who could be in the Key Worker category (Group 1 above) .

We are now asking for those parents to identify the specific requirements for in-school educational provision which will allow them to continue to perform their key duties. Please enter your details on the form using the link below to indicate the support required.

Note that if one parent is a non-Key Worker, the Government expect them to provide the childcare to minimise the number of pupils in school. However we realise that the picture could be more complicated and we will work to support any parent in this category to continue to perform the good work they are already doing.

Parents who do not fall into the Key Worker category do not require to respond.

Thanks

Mr S

A paper copy of the letter below is being given out to all pupils in school today.  It gives parents and carers an update of the current situation and its impact on us as a school. I wanted to keep you as informed as possible in this fast moving situation, which has not always been possible to this point.

In simple terms, the school will be closed for most pupils after today and the SQA exam diet for 2020 has been cancelled. However, as requested by the Government, we will offer alternative in-school arrangements for 3 groups of pupils:

1. Children of Key Workers
2. Pupils in S4 – S6 with SQA coursework outstanding
3. Vulnerable young people in S1 – S3 who would benefit from in-school provision at this time.

The letter gives further details for all these groups. I will request information about those in Group 1 in a separate post. We will contact those in Groups 2 & 3 directly over the next couple of days.

In addition, we will now provide learning and teaching through online means for all our young people and this will continue for the duration of the school closure. Pupils have been prepared for this.

This is a very challenging situation for us all – pupils, parents, staff and the wider community – the like of which I have never seen in my 40 years in education. I would encourage us all to continue to work together in the manner that has characterised this community over my time here. I can assure everyone that we are working hard to ensure that none of our young people will be disadvantaged by this situation.

The schools do not require to close until 5pm today so Friday Club is still on for one last time for the foreseeable future. This is what makes Barrhead High so special for me, and I hope for you too – the staff  came to me asking to allow it to continue. Having risk assessed it, we will leave the building on our usual high even in these difficult days!!

Letter to parents 20.3.2020

Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the closure of the school, Skills Development Scotland cannot deliver career services face to face, but they are still there to help. Your child can contact their school Careers Adviser, (Claire Anderson) for career information, advice and guidance at (claire.anderson@sds.co.uk), or visit myworldofwork.co.uk.

You can also still access career services by phone on 0800917 8000  to speak to one of our qualified advisers.  Or you can contact Claire Anderson directly. Our  walk in centres have been closed until further notice.

You can also find their services for parents/carers online at myworldofwork.co.uk and www.mykidscareer.com.

A letter (see link below) was issued today to all pupils who were planning on participating in one of our school trips.

This contains the information that we had at the time of writing and even that is likely to now change in the light of the ongoing developments, both today and over the next few days.

We will keep you updated as soon as we know any further information.

Letter to Parents School Trips 18.3.2020

The situation continues to change on a daily basis, both at a national level and at the local school level.

We are working hard to continue to provide education for all our pupils and all ERC schools are open and operating. However we are also planning to ensure we can continue to provide educational opportunities if the situation were to change.

To help us do that I would be grateful if you would read the letter attached below and  respond to the questionnare.

Letter to Parents 17.3.2020

There is a link to the questionnair within the letter or you can use the link below .

The P6 – S3 STEM Fair will take place tonight (Thurs, 12th March) from 6pm.

All P6-S3 students have received a presentation on STEM and are encouraged to attend.

Please note: Students must be accompanied by an adult.

We look forward to welcoming you on the night.

Barrhead High – STEM Fair FLYER

All the reports tell us that the pupils (and staff) have had a great week skiing.

Pila once again has been the venue and again we travelled with Interski who looked after the group well.

The video below will give you a taste of the excitement.

This week, in PSHE and Pastoral, all pupils have been learning about the wide ranges of apprenticeships open to them including: Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships and Graduate Apprenticeships.
We were delighted to welcome back some former pupils who shared their experiences on the recruitment processes they experienced as part of their pathway to their Modern Apprenticeship.

The P6 – S3 STEM Fair will take place next Thursday, 12 th March from 6pm.

All P6-S3 students have received a presentation on the upcoming STEM Fair and are encouraged to attend.

Please note: Students must be accompanied by an adult.

We look forward to welcoming you on the night.

Barrhead High – STEM Fair FLYER