Edinburgh schools: latest information on returning next week

Pupils will return in phases next week, with primary school children being invited back in alphabetical order.

Pupils returning to school in the Capital next week will be invited back in phases with primary school children returning in alphabetical order, according to a council.

In a letter written to parents and carers, Alistair Gaw, director of communities and families at Edinburgh City Council, said the arrangements have been put in place to ensure pupils can return in the safest way possible as the country eases out of lockdown.

The new phased returning to school will run as follows:

Schools return in phases as of next week

Primary school

Primary school pupils whose surname begins with the letters A to L should return on Wednesday, August 12 for the whole day, and then again on Friday, August 14.

From next Friday, all primary pupils will attend full time. Children with surnames starting with M-Z will return on the Thursday and Friday.

The following week all pupils will return full time.

Details about lunch and PE arrangements and staggered start and finish times (where necessary) will be provided by each school.

Secondary school

Students will return to classes from Wednesday 12 August, with individual arrangements to be announced by each school.

All S1 pupils will attend school on Wednesday 12 August at every secondary school, except for Queensferry High School where parents or carers will receive communication directly from the Headteacher about arrangements.

Each secondary school will contact parents by Thursday, August 6 with the precise details of which year groups will attend school on each day of the 12, 13 and 14 August.

All secondary pupils will attend from Monday 17 August at the latest. Schools will also provide information regarding lunch, PE and any staggered start and finish of the school day.

Special schools

Children and young people will return to classes from Wednesday 12 August. Each school will offer an individual model of phased return and every school will be in contact by Thursday 6 August with the specific arrangements for each child, advising of the precise details of which children will be attending on which days.

Schools will also provide information about lunch arrangements, staggered start and finish times and any other reopening arrangements.

Parents/carers with children who receive home to school transport will be contacted with arrangements by Friday 7 August.

All children and young people attending special schools will be back in school from Monday 17 August at the latest.

Mr Gaw confirmed strict hygiene measures are in place and urged all pupils, parents, carers and staff to follow regular handwashing and use of handsanitiser stations which will be widely available throughout schools.

He added: “With the Scottish Government pausing the arrangements for shielding, any pupils who have been shielding will also be returning.

"Parents should contact their school to discuss any additional steps that may be required to ensure their child returns to school safely.”

Parents and carers have also been reminded to assist with the safety measures in place by not parking too close to the school to avoid overcrowding.

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