School in Shetland remain will open today and tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd December).
Following the First Minister’s announcement on Saturday, slight changes will be made to how schools operate after the Christmas period. Children’s Services staff are currently working on the implications of these changes and letters with more information will be sent tomorrow to all parents and carers, pupils and staff.
All school staff will return to work as scheduled and as planned on Wednesday 6th January 2021 for an in-service day. The new term was due to start on Thursday 7th January 2021 for pupils but for the majority of pupils the holiday period will be extended until Monday 11th January 2021.
For children of key workers and vulnerable children, school will reopen as previously scheduled on Thursday 7th January 2021. Information on which children will be able to access this is being developed and the detail of this will be shared tomorrow.
From Monday 11th January to Monday 18th January 2021 learning will be online. Schools have had contingency plans in place since August 2020 in preparation for remote learning and these will be implemented across all ages and stages.
George Smith, Chair of the Council’s Education and Families Committee, said: “I appreciate this will be a worrying time for pupils, parents and carers, and staff. I have every confidence that appropriate arrangements will be put in place and I would like to thank staff for their continued commitment and professionalism in dealing with this.”