Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools
Non-statutory guidance to ensure a low risk and supportive environment for learning and teaching.
This document is part of a collection
Key scenarios - expectations and actions to ensure readiness
Scenarios
Schools and local authorities should ensure readiness for the following key scenarios, in view of the uncertainty around the path of the virus in the future:
Scenario 1 - reintroduction of mitigations – schools remain open
Ensuring readiness for an outbreak where mitigations require to be reinstated at either the national or local level, introducing these accordingly and within an agreed timeframe in the school environment , supported by evidence and data.
Scenario 2 - partial attendance – school buildings remain open
Partial attendance/remote learning where staff absence disrupts full-time in-school learning or local health protection teams advise this as being necessary to control transmission.
Scenario 3 - full remote learning for all pupils – school buildings closed
No physical attendance at school for pupils except for key worker and vulnerable children, e.g. where local health protection teams advise this as being necessary to control transmission.
The table below sets out shared expectations in respect of readiness to deal these three key scenarios, and the actions that should be taken to ensure readiness and minimise education disruption as a result of COVID-19.
Issue |
Expectations |
Actions to ensure readiness |
Complete |
Risk assessments |
All relevant risk assessments are kept up to date for relevant scenarios. |
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Communications with staff |
All staff are aware of the actions required to reintroduce or remove mitigations, the timescales required, and how they can best support pupils to ensure educational continuity. |
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Communications with parents/ carers and pupils |
All pupils and families are aware of the actions required to reintroduce or remove mitigations, the timescales required, and how they will be supported to ensure educational continuity. Suitable arrangements are in place to support parental involvement and engagement and learner participation under all 3 scenarios. |
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Mitigations within schools and local desk instructions |
All key staff and pupils have access to and understand the guidance on which mitigations should be in place at any given time. Advice is in place to address any questions they may have. |
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Remote learning lesson plans |
Plans for remote learning have been developed and can be deployed in line with Education Scotland guidance. Previously agreed Education Scotland/CERG guidance makes clear that class teachers retain responsibility for planning and organising children’s and young people’s learning, with learning supported by parents and carers. |
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Remote learning materials |
Children and young people have been provided with the non-IT materials needed to ensure effective remote learning (e.g. writing equipment, notebooks, etc.)
Parents/carers have suitable advice and support on how to support their children and young people with remote learning. |
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IT and connectivity |
IT needs of staff and pupils for remote learning for small numbers of pupils self-isolating are met in advance. |
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Professional learning for remote learning |
Staff have been provided with guidance and training to allow them to support remote learning effectively, particularly in respect of use of IT.
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Wellbeing support |
Clear wellbeing support arrangements are in place to deal with range of scenarios and their potential impacts on staff and pupils. |
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Identification of key worker and vulnerable children |
Schools and local authorities have previously identified key worker and vulnerable children and can update this rapidly in the event it is required. |
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Staffing |
Development and implementation of contingency plans is supported by the availability of staff via supply lists or additional capacity across system. |
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School transport |
Requirements for mitigations on school transport in different scenarios are fully understood and can be implemented to required timescales by operators. School transport arrangements support partial attendance where required. Agreements in place with school transport operators on approach to be taken to support partial attendance where required. |
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Contact
Email: CERG@gov.scot
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