Christmas holiday period 

Our schools finished for the holidays on Friday 18 December and for the majority of pupils the holidays have now been extended until Monday 11 January. 

Re-opening of schools in January 2021

As outlined above, the school holidays have now been extended until Monday 11 January 2021.

The exception is for those children who have both parents (or, in the case of a single parent family, the main carer) as designated key workers and who are unable to source alternative childcare.

Children who fall into this category will be able to attend school from Thursday 7 January where they will be supervised by staff. School staff will return on Wednesday 6 January to allow planning to take place for the safe return of children of key workers and vulnerable children.

A keyworker is defined as:

• Health and Care workers directly supporting COVID response, and associated staff; Health and Care workers supporting life threatening emergency work, as well as critical primary and community care provision; staff providing childcare/learning.
• All other Health and Care workers, and wider public sector workers providing emergency/critical welfare services (for example: fire, police, prisons, social workers), as well as those supporting our Critical National Infrastructure, without whom serious damage to the welfare of the people of Scotland could be caused.
• All workers (private, public or third sector) without whom there could be a significant impact on Scotland (but where the response to COVID-19, or the ability to perform essential tasks to keep the country running, would not be severely compromised).

 

Teachers, nursery officers and staff supporting schools and nurseries, such as school office staff and catering, cleaning and janitorial staff, are included in the above criteria as key workers.

Parents of vulnerable children and young people do not need to apply – our schools and nurseries will contact them directly to assess the supports needed.

How to apply

In order to be eligible to access:

• Both parents must be keyworkers. (or, in the case of a single parent should meet criteria)
• Children should attend only when there are no alternative childcare arrangements
• Keyworkers who are able to work from home are not eligible for critical childcare.

 

Applications are open at https://arcg.is/1zzG8v1 and parents and carers should apply, where possible, by Thursday 24 December at 1pm to enable us to confirm placements. All applications will close on Monday 4 January at 5pm.  The application form will confirm whether a place will be available or not.

Remote learning

From Monday 11 January, all children and young people who are at home will have access to remote learning. Your child’s school or nursery will be in touch with you on Wednesday 6 or Thursday 7 January to let you know the arrangements for your child.

Transport and school meals

If your child receives home to school transport, this will continue as normal for children of key workers and vulnerable children and young people from Thursday 7 January. When schools and nurseries return, home to school transport will be available as normal for all children and young people who normally receive this service.

School meals will be available for children of key workers and vulnerable children and young people attending school. Free school meals will be available to any child or young person who is entitled to receive one.

For any child or young person who is entitled to a free school meal and is learning remotely during the week beginning Monday 11 January, we will seek to make a financial payment in lieu of providing a free school meal.

You can find the latest information and advice on the council’s website. These pages will be updated regularly and provide the most up-to-date information.