Update: We can only have a maximum of 41 Senior Phase pupils in the building at the same time. So although it looks as we could have added more pupils to the sessions, we needed to take account of pupils who will need to be in school due to transport arrangements. These pupils will be in the library studying quietly when not in a Practical session.
Please bear in mind that certain staff will be in class teaching on the days of the Practical Sessions and other staff will have to supervise keyworker and vulnerable pupils more often.
The Scottish Government has prioritised the return of Senior Phase Learners based on the practical subjects they are studying. The Scottish Government have been very specific about who can attend and which subjects they can do work in. They have limited the number of Senior Phase pupils in the school at any time to between 5% and 8%. We are also limited by the number of pupils we can have in each classroom as all members of the school community must keep a 2m distance. The 2m distance and wearing a face mask also applies on school transport.
The children of keyworker parents and those on our vulnerable list should continue to attend as normal.
A version of this message was sent to the 100 S4-S6 pupils who are eligible to come to school on every limited basis for PRACTICAL LEARNING.
“At Calderhead if you are in S4, S5 or S6 and are studying any of the following courses:
- Practical Metalwork
- Practical Woodwork
- Graphic Communication
- Admin and IT
- Art & Design
- Music
- Design and Manufacturing
- French (Speaking)
then you are expected to return to school on a very limited basis from Monday 22nd February. We have set aside five half days for these Practical Learning sessions. The morning session starts at 0900 and finishes at 1130. The afternoon session starts at 1230 and finishes at 1500. This is to avoid those pupils who are already in school as part of the key worker and vulnerable pupil scheme.
You are asked to report directly to the class and to avoid the social area. The library will be open during the day. School meals will be available as normal from 12 Noon.Please remember to wear a face mask, sanitise your hands on entry and to wash your hands thoroughly at regular intervals. All Senior Phase (S4-S6) pupils are asked to use the toilets next to the library.
There is no need for School Uniform to be worn for these Practical Sessions, please dress appropriately, no football colours, no offensive slogans etc.
Please note if there is no subject next to the session then you are not expected to be in school at that time unless you are dependent on school transport. You are only expected to be in school when you have a subject session, if you need to get a school bus to school or home then please study quietly in the library when not in a subject session.
This timetable is unique to you.
| Practical Learning Session | Subject |
| Monday AM 0900 to 1130 | |
| Monday PM 1230 to 1500 | |
| Tuesday AM 0900 to 1130 | |
| Tuesday PM 0900 to 1500 | |
| Thursday AM 0900 to 1130 |
The Scottish Government has also asked that pupils in S4-S6 are offered the chance to use the Lateral Flow Tests twice a week. These test kits can be collected from the school office from Friday, 19th February. This is a voluntary scheme to help identify and isolate those people who have COVID 19 but do not feel ill or have any symptoms (asymptomatic).”
Please bear in mind we are now deploying staff on supervision duties in school, preparing and teaching Practical Learning Sessions in school and asking them to prepare and deliver learning remotely across all year groups and and to provide feedback in a timely manner. Many of these teachers are also attempting to home school their own children at the same time.
John Robertson
Headteacher
Calderhead High School
