Primary school pupils in Argyll and Bute are set to attend school two days a week from August under plans announced today – while some secondary pupils are likely to attend on alternating weeks.
The authority has published plans for what it calls a ‘2:1:2’ approach in its primary schools, which will see one group of pupils attend school on Monday and Tuesday and another attending on Thursday and Friday.
Under the proposal, on days when children are not in the classroom they will engage in home learning activities provided by teachers.
The same model will also be used in some secondary schools, while others will operate with broad general learning (up to S3) pupils attending one week and senior phase pupils the next.
They, too, will be supplied with digital learning materials for days when they do not attend school.
The council said in a statement that head teachers would contact parents and carers across Argyll and Bute today to let them know of the plans.
The new term in Argyll and Bute is due to begin in the week commencing Monday, August 10.
Schools have been closed since Friday, March 20 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The council’s policy lead for education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “Keeping our pupils and staff safe is the council’s number one priority.
“Argyll and Bute has a diverse geography and, with a total of 88 schools of various sizes and building types, it hasn’t been easy putting plans into place.
“However, our dedicated education team has worked tirelessly to get these models ready to ensure they are the best for our young people, whilst maximising face-to-face teaching and also meeting national guidance set out by the Scottish Government.
“I completely understand that this is an anxious and worrying time for parents and pupils – we have never experienced anything like this in our lifetime.
“I want to reassure parents, however, that these models have been created with the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff at their heart.
“We remain committed to providing our children and young people with a positive learning environment where they feel safe and nurtured, and I believe that these models reflect that.
“These are extremely difficult times for everyone but we are all in this together and, as lockdown eases, these plans may be subject to change. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and understanding.”
Various factors were considered in putting together the plans, including capacity using social distancing, workforce capacity and how much funding was available.
Time needed to prepare digital learning materials and family groupings were also considered as part of the planning process.
Helensburgh’s MSP Jackie Baillie has claimed that two days’ education a week will not be enough for primary pupils.
She was commenting on similar arrangements made by neighbouring West Dunbartonshire Council, where primary youngsters are also planned to attend two days a week.
S1-S3 pupils in West Dunbartonshire will attend for at least one day a week, with S4 to S6 in two days a week.
Ms Baillie said: “The fact that pupils are only able to return to the classroom for a guaranteed two days – after already spending months working from home – will surely have a negative effect on their learning and attainment.”
On what basis does Jackie Bailie assume that only being in school two days a week after months of home learning will have a ‘detrimental effect on learning and attainment’?
Is the dedicated, tailor made, one to one teaching from a loving parent within the home of less value than the 15ish to 1 student teacher ratio, based on a one size fits all curriculum and generally working at a pace dictated by the lowest common denominator ?
The model for the schools opening in August is surely the strongest mainstream argument I’ve ever seen for flexi or full time home schooling.