Investigation launched after Wester Hailes Education Centre staff seen flouting social distancing guidance in school at Christmas lunch

An investigation has been launched after more than 10 staff members at Wester Hailes Education Centre brazenly broke coronavirus guidance and gathered for a Christmas lunch in the school without physically distancing from each other or wearing face coverings.
Images posted on social media show staff members from WHEC enjoying the festivities clearly less than two metres apart, some posing with their arms around each other.Images posted on social media show staff members from WHEC enjoying the festivities clearly less than two metres apart, some posing with their arms around each other.
Images posted on social media show staff members from WHEC enjoying the festivities clearly less than two metres apart, some posing with their arms around each other.

Images posted on social media show staff members from WHEC enjoying the festivities clearly less than two metres apart, some posing with their arms around each other.

Concerned parents who contacted the Evening News said that they felt the school was ‘unsafe’ after ‘numerous staff and pupils have tested positive for Covid-19’ recently and their concerns were magnified when they had seen the images of the Christmas gathering without social distancing circulating online.

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One parent said: “The school sent us a letter saying the school is safe to send our kids into but these photos tell a different story.”

Under the Scottish Government’s latest guidance, school staff are being advised to physically distance themselves by at least two metres from other adults, children and young people where possible.

Edinburgh Council have reassured parents and confirmed that the issue is being taken ‘very seriously’ and ‘investigations are ongoing’.

The updated guidance says all adults should wear face coverings in schools where they cannot stay at least two metres away from other adults and pupils.

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Additionally, staff working in the Capital’s primary schools should wear face coverings in communal areas, such as staff rooms, canteens and corridors to ensure the safety of each other and of the young people around them.

Edinburgh schools last day of term was yesterday (Tues) and schoolchildren will not return to in-person education until January 11, with online learning extended until January 18.

A council spokesperson said: “The safety of our staff and pupils is of paramount importance and we expect all our staff to follow the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland guidelines and strict hygiene measures to keep everyone safe, including themselves.

“We’re very clear with all our teams what’s expected of them and are disappointed by the images that appear to show a failure to comply with social distancing guidelines. We would like to reassure any concerned parents that this issue is being taken very seriously.

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“Investigations into this matter are currently ongoing and we will be taking appropriate steps to ensure this is not repeated.”

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