Following confirmation from the First Minister, all children attending early years establishments (those eligible will continue to receive  1140 hours), pupils in primaries 1 to 3 and a small number of senior pupils on a limited basis will return to schools and centres from Monday 22 February 2021.
This includes children and young people in additional support needs (ASN) schools.

Early Years: All children should return to centres and nurseries as normal including partner providers.

P1-3: All children should return to school as normal including ASN pupils. School transport will be in place for those who are eligible. For those in composite classes, only children in P3 should attend school and those in P4 will be taught via online learning. All children in P1-3 will receive universal free school meal provision on return to school.

Please note that shielding children and young people should continue to shield under current lockdown guidelines, unless otherwise directed by a clinician.

Senior phase: Schools will be in touch with young people directly to outline when they should attend school to complete critical practical work in relation to qualifications. There will only ever be around 5-8% of the secondary school roll in school at any one time (excluding vulnerable children and key worker children). Arrangements will be made locally but for those who are eligible for school transport, this will be in place twice a day (morning and afternoon) and pupils should attend normal pick-up points. Those who are eligible for taxi transport, normal arrangements will resume from Monday 22 February.

Senior phase pupils in S4-6 are reminded that they must ensure they maintain two-metre social distancing in school and on school transport, as well as adhering to normal restrictions outside of school. School meals will be available for purchase (free for those who are eligible). In addition, at-home lateral flow testing kits will be available to senior phase pupils twice a week through their school and schools will be in direct contact to outline arrangements for distribution.

ASN pupils: Head teachers will be in touch directly with parents/carers of ASN children and young people in S4-6 to work with them to agree arrangements for in-school support should it be required. For those who are eligible for transport (taxi or ASN transport), the school or transport operator will be in touch to make arrangements.

Schools continue to remain open to provide learning and support for vulnerable children and children of key workers only.