Will there be a meeting for parents before transition?
Because of current and projected COVID-19 restrictions it is difficult to say with certainty that there would be a physical meeting in school.
We are looking into how we could hold meetings via a video platform and you will be informed about this by the primary school once we have finalised our plans for this.
Will my child be able to meet their classroom teachers before starting high school?
Again, sadly we cannot confirm this, but hopefully this could be possible.
We will be creating a “virtual” experience for your child which would include videos made by teachers so that pupils can start to put faces to names.
How are S1 classes organised, are classes a mixture from various primary schools, are they mixed ability?
Classes are indeed a mixture of pupils from different primary schools so that all S1 pupils can learn with new people.
The classes will be mixed in relation to numeracy/literacy levels as well as a variety of other factors.
Will there be secondary students in the building when the P7s visit or will it just be P7s from other primary schools?
This is another “unknown” at present.
Ordinarily we would have senior pupils in school for the 2-day visit and these pupils would guide the P7s around the building to their different classes.
We will have to follow government guidelines at the time of any visit.
When is best to order uniforms and where do we order from?
This information will be passed to you through the primary school closer to the summer. There is a registered supplier of LHS blazers and ties, Scotcrest, whose website is www.scotcrestschools.co.uk
What will be required of us regarding homework- how much support will we be required to give?
You can support your child as much as you like, and you can let us know if you require further help to do this.
What format will homework take?
Homework can be written, or take the form of a creative task; it would depend upon the subject.
Particularly in S1 and S2, project work can be set which could involve research over a period of 2 or 3 weeks.
How much homework do S1 pupils actually get?
The amount of homework set varies from subject to subject. Because there may be 6 or 7 different subjects every day for S1 pupils, they may have a different amount of homework each day.
Is there a support group available if pupils struggle with certain subjects?
Absolutely.
Our Support for Learning department provides excellent help to all pupils.
SfL Classroom Assistants attend a variety of S1 lessons to support pupils with their classwork.
In addition, senior pupils help out in S1 and S2 classes to sit with pupils who require additional support.
Is my child allowed water in class?
Yes, pupils can drink water in lessons, but not any other drink.
Will the desks be cleaned during each period in case someone has COVID-19?
Classroom desks are cleaned with an electrolyte agent on a weekly basis, and this forms a film around surfaces which lasts for around 9-10 days, killing viruses which appear on it.
In addition, classrooms are cleaned on a daily basis.
Every single period, corridors, staircases and banisters are cleaned, as are all door handles.
There are hand-sanitisers in every single room in the school.
Are the toilets cleaned regularly?
Yes, every care is taken to ensure that cleaning is to optimal standards.
If we still have COVID-19, will there be social distancing at breaks?
Whatever government guidelines are in place will be applied strictly in school.
