Arrangements for January 2021
As you may already be aware, the First Minister announced on Saturday, 19 December, that there will be changes to how learning is delivered in January 2021.
Schools will be open on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 January for the provision of childcare for children of key workers and identified vulnerable learners only.
Learning provision will resume from Monday, 11 January, delivered remotely for all pupils other than the children of key workers and vulnerable children via:
-Google Classroom P1-P7 with a timetable of activities posted for children to complete Monday 11th – Friday 15th January.
-Additional home learning grids sent home on Wednesday 23 December. These could also be collected from school on Monday 11th January.
It is important that we prioritise those most in need of in-school provision. Please note that in level 4 of the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 protection levels, people are asked to work from home wherever practicable.
In-school provision is available to families whose parents/carers who meet the following criteria:
- Category 1– 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; energy suppliers (small numbers identified as top priority already); staff providing childcare/learning for other category 1 staff.
- Category 2– 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 critical national infrastructure, without whom serious damage to the welfare of the people of Scotland could be caused.
- Category 3– 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).
If you meet the above criteria and, as a result, need your child to be in school from 7 January, please contact by email, ideally prior to end of the school day on Wednesday 23rd December. Please confirm:
- Your job and employer.
- Which days you require your child to be in school between 7thJanuary and 15th
Where a child requires support from more than one agency (NHS, social work, educational psychology), this is likely to suggest greater vulnerability. We will be in contact with families whose children have been identified as vulnerable as a result of their additional support needs including family circumstances. This will include a range of children and young people, such as those who:
- Have a child’s plan
- Are on the child protection register
- Have been identified as at risk and need to be kept safe
- Are cared for by a family member or other carer due to difficulties at home
- Are affected by disability
- Require support due to bereavement
- Need additional support as a result of a significant impact on your family as a result of COVID-19
If you have not been contacted, but feel your child should be considered in this category, please contact us by telephone on 01360 660410 by Thursday 7th January.
School meal provision for those entitled to free school meals will continue via the extension of additional payments planned during the holiday period. Lunches will be available to children attending school.
School transport will continue to be provided for children and young people who will be attending school over this period.
Thank you in advance for your continued support at this unprecedented and uncertain time.
If you have further questions, more details are available on the Stirling Council website.
Kind regards,
Patrick Robertson
Head Teacher
Drymen Primary, Buchanan Primary & Croftamie Nursery
