Shetland schools to start phased return later this month

The Chair of the Council’s Education and Families Committee has responded to the First Minister’s announcement yesterday, on plans for children and young people to return to schools later this month. 

In Shetland, the phased return will involve children in Early Learning and Childcare settings and all primary one to primary three children, returning full-time, after the February long weekend, from Tuesday 23 February 2021. 

There will also be a part-time return, on a very limited basis, for senior phase, secondary four to secondary six, pupils to allow completion of essential practical work for national qualification courses.

The Scottish Government has committed to expanding testing provision for school and early learning and childcare staff, and for senior phase pupils. 

This step-by-step return will be finalised by the Scottish Government in two weeks’ time, and will be dependent upon the on-going suppression of coronavirus.

 Children's Services will provide further information to parents and carers, staff, and pupils over the coming days.

Councillor George Smith, Chair of the Education and Families Committee:

“We have arrangements in place for the period up to Wednesday 17 February to support remote learning for children at home, as well as for children of key workers, and for children requiring additional support, to access their remote learning in their schools and early learning and childcare settings. 

“I welcome the commitment to a return for our youngest children later in February, and I would like to reassure staff, parents and carers, and pupils, that health and safety will continue to be absolutely paramount to all of our planning for the phased return later this month.

“I thank all our school and early learning and childcare staff for all that they are continuing to do, supporting our children and young people and facilitating remote learning.  It has been a huge effort in such challenging and unprecedented times.”