Scottish Government issues guidance for teachers as schools prepare to reopen

Wellbeing of pupils, staff and families is priority

Schools are due to return on August 11

NEW guidance was published today to help teachers and education authorities prepare for the “blended model” of classroom and home learning when schools re-open in August.

The guidance, produced by the Education Recovery Group, also outlines broad expectations for what Scotland’s curriculum will look like for the next academic year.

It includes a focus on prioritising the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of pupils, teachers and families and continuing engagement with children and their families to support them in the new way of learning.

It puts forward the “Refreshed Narrative for Curriculum for Excellence” – an initiative to simplify the CfE, published in September - as “a practical tool for practitioners”.

And it emphasises the need to consider the impacts of coronavirus on pupils, especially in vulnerable children and young people and those with additional support needs.

Guidance on the curriculum, aimed at parents and carers, is due to be published shortly in partnership with the National Parent Forum of Scotland.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Since most schools closed in March, a huge amount of positive work has been undertaken by education professionals to support continuity of learning. This advice recognises that schools, classrooms and ways of learning will be completely different in the recovery phase, so the education system as well as young people and their families will need help and support to adapt.

“The core principles of Curriculum for Excellence that give teachers flexibility and put learners at the heart of education will remain critical during the recovery phase. This guidance states that teachers should be confident in prioritising their pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing - over anything else - as the best way of supporting children and young people back into learning.

“The curriculum will continue to be developed locally by Early Learning Centres, primary and secondary schools, and partnership colleges, taking account of the local circumstances of children and their families.

“Specific guidance is also available for education authorities and schools to support young people who have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with additional support needs or those who may struggle to transition smoothly into the next academic year.”

The Scottish Government said education authorities and schools should draw on the new national guidance to work with trades unions, staff, parents and children to develop local plans.