More children's activities to resume at Highlands' schools
Children's activities are due to return to High Life Highland venues across the region as a result of discussions between the charity and Highland Council.
There is expected to be a phased return back into schools after the October break dependent on the Covid-19 situation.
High Life Highland chairman Ian Ross said, “I am delighted that once again our partnership working arrangements with colleagues in Highland Council mean that High Life Highland staff will be able to recommence their work with young people during the school day and within school buildings.
“HLH has always fully supported and accepted that the council’s priorities were the safety of pupils and getting them back into full-time education.
"However, this new agreement will see some of our music instructors, youth workers and active school co-ordinators returning to school buildings where they will working with the pupils and support headteachers and other school staff."
Mr Ross continued: “In order to fully comply with Scottish Government guidelines, there will still be some restrictions in terms of the types of instruments that can be used during music tuition, as well as the ‘coming and going’ of HLH staff from school grounds.
"However, there is no doubt this is a move in the right direction and will see our staff being able to re-engage with pupils and young people.”
Councillor John Finlayson, chair of the council's education committee, commented: “It is great to see the positive outcomes that can be reached by partnership working.
“I understand that HLH staff re-accessing schools will see the phased return of active school co-ordinators; music instructors; school library staff and youth workers.
“The current pandemic can be challenging for everyone in our communities, not just adults. It is vitally important, now more than ever, that our children and young people in schools are supported through these times.
“Getting school pupils back to face-to-face music tuition with the instructors; participating in outdoor activities organised by the active school’s team or receiving personal pastoral support and advice by the HLH youth team can only enhance the experiences already being offered by headteachers and their staff.
“I am extremely pleased that we have been able to put measures in place that will see the see Highland pupils’ school-day experience, outside of the classroom take another step towards
some level of normality.”
HLH and the council are now working towards the next phase of introducing other wind instruments, singing tuition and community libraries to schools in line with the Scottish Government guidelines.