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Preparations in place for pupils return to high school classrooms in Badenoch and Strathspey


By Gavin Musgrove

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Preparations are well-advanced for the return of pupils for the first time in nearly five months at Badenoch and Strathspey's two secondary schools.

Kingussie High School will reopen to all pupils on Wednesday.

Pupils are returning to Grantown Grammar School starting from the same day in a two-day phased return.

S1, S5 and S6 pupils will return to school on Wednesday followed by S2, S3 and S4 classes the next day. All pupils will have returned by the Friday.

Grantown headteacher Claire McGonigal said: "We are running our timetable as usual but with a one way system in place, increased hand washing and cleaning and some restrictions on where pupils can go in break times, etcetera.

"I’m really looking forward to welcoming our pupils back and getting back to teaching and learning in the ‘new normal’ and I know that staff are keen to get stuck back in as well."

Kingussie High School has said the structure of the school day will run as normal, with each day starting at 8.50am and finishing at 3.55pm Monday to Wednesday, 3.35pm on Thursday and 12.30pm on a Friday.

Grantown Grammar School has said there may be some minor amendments to timings to prevent pupils from congregating.

Both schools will be holding assemblies on the first morning back to emphasise procedures and expectations.

School transport should be running as normal at both schools.

Pupils on dedicated school buses will not be required to wear face coverings as the vehicles will be considered an extension of the school estate.

But those using public transport will have to wear masks and to follow social distance guidance from the drivers.

The two schools have also come up with their own arrangements for many other aspects of school life and these have been covered in letters sent home to parents of pupils at the respective schools.

They include explanation of the provision of PPE equipment with anti bacterial spray, hand sanitiser and paper towels for every classroom.

There will also be new signage in the schools.

Pupils will be expected to wipe down desks on entry to the classroom.

Kingussie headteacher Ian Adamson states in his correspondence to parents: "I hope that this letter will reassure you that the safety of pupils and staff is the number one priority.

"Delivering high quality learning and teaching, reconnecting and re-establishing positive relationships with our young people are also our prime concern."

There is no requirement for either staff or pupils to wear a face covering in the usual course of the day, however, they can choose to do so.

Where adults cannot maintain two metres distance and are interacting face-to-face for a sustained period of 15 minutes or more then face covering should be worn.

Classrooms have been set up so that there is a minimum two metres distance between the teacher and any pupil seat.

Desks are mainly arranged so that pupils are sitting side by side and facing forward.

All classes will have a seating plan that is strictly adhered to.

If a school has two confirmed cases of Covid-19 within 14 days then they are required to make prompt contact with their local Health Protection Team.

Highland Council's education bosses are aiming to have children back at all schools in the region no later than August 18.

A spokesperson said: "Individual schools are already in the process of contacting parents with the exact details for local pupils. This detail will be provided through the normal channels of communication with parents and students.

A programme of deep cleaning across our school buildings is in the process of being completed before schools reopen.

"We aim to deliver the enhanced cleaning specification across all of those buildings, with daily disinfection of touch points and surfaces. This is consistent with Scottish Government guidance to councils."

Council chief executive Donna Manson said: “Our absolute priority is to ensure as safe an environment as possible for everyone returning to schools – all staff, pupils, parents, contractors and visitors. This is a considerable challenge, given the unique geography of the Highlands.

"I would also like to recognise the hard work and commitment of all our staff across the council in supporting this very challenging programme in order to bring all children back to school by August 18.”

More details on the reopening of schools in the region is available on Highland Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/backtoschool .


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