Executive Office
Elaine Cook
Depute Chief Executive
West Lothian Civic Centre
Howden South Road
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 6FF4 March 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
I am writing to update you on the latest decisions on the re-opening of schools.
The Scottish Government has announced that the next phase of reopening education will take place on Monday 15 March unless new evidence or new circumstances force it to reconsider. Detailed guidance from the Scottish Government is expected to be published next week, and we will provide a further update when we have this information.
Primary
Pupils in P4-7 will return to school on Monday 15 March, joining P1-3 pupils who are already back at school. Arrangements for vulnerable children and the children of keyworkers will end, and these children will re-join their normal classes. Breakfast clubs will start on Monday 15 March, and after school clubs based in school premises will be able to restart from that date. Please contact your after school club for further details. Schools will contact parents/carers by Friday 12 March with any further details of the return.
Secondary
From 15 March, all secondary pupils will receive some remote learning and some in-school teaching. Each school will decide how to safely balance remote and in-school learning based on local circumstances and needs. Senior phase students (S4-S6) who are taking national qualifications will have priority for face-to-face lessons in school. Arrangements for remote learning for pupils who are currently not in school will be affected by these new plans, and schools will contact parents/carers to inform them of the changes which are necessary. It is the Scottish Government’s expectation that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full time basis after the Easter holidays. Schools will contact parents/carers by Friday 12 March with further details of when individual pupils should attend school. We will inform you of any changes to arrangements for minimising risk, for example face coverings and physical distancing, when Scottish Government Guidance is published.
ASN Schools and Units
Headteachers of ASN Schools have already discussed arrangements for individual children and young people for return from 11 January and these arrangements will continue, in discussion with parents and carers.
Transport
Pupils who travel by school transport will continue to be able to do so. If it is necessary to alter arrangements for any pupils, parents/carers will be informed by Friday 12 March. We will inform you of any changes to arrangements for minimising risk, for example face coverings and physical distancing, when Scottish Government Guidance is published.
School Meals
School meals will be available for primary pupils, and secondary pupils when they are in school at lunchtime, and those entitled will receive free school meals. Direct payments to parents/carers of secondary pupils entitled to free school meals will continue until a full time return to school is achieved.
Secondary Schools – Children of Keyworkers, and Vulnerable Children
We will inform you of any changes to arrangements for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children when Scottish Government Guidance is published.
Clinically Vulnerable Children and Young People
We will inform you of any changes to arrangements for clinically vulnerable children and young people when Scottish Government Guidance is published.
Once again, I would like to thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, to support your child’s learning. Our schools and centres are grateful for all the support you have given during the period of remote learning. We know how challenging this time has been.
Yours sincerely
Dr Elaine Cook
Depute Chief Executive
