Wee County pupils will return to school next week

It is expected there will be some initial phasing-in of pupils with all children and young people to be back in education between August 12 and 18.

Clackmannanshire Council's Education Services will be putting a strong focus on making up for learning lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

There will be extra teaching and support, health and wellbeing counselling, youth work and community learning development as well as a focus on SQA courses and help for children with additional support needs.

Councillor Graham Lindsay, spokesman for education, said: "The last few months have been incredibly challenging, but it has also given our teachers a chance to think how we improve and make the education we offer to our young people even better.

"We recognise that there has been a loss of learning as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, but our educators have been working hard to lessen the impact this will have on our young people in Clackmannanshire."

Parents in the Wee County will be contacted by schools during this week with their individual detailed plans for a safe return.

This will include transport and lunchtime arrangements.

According to government guidance, there will be no physical distancing between children and young people, but adults will stick to the two metre rule and wear face coverings where that is not possible.

However, as a precaution, secondary schools "should encourage distancing where possible" – particularly in the senior phase.

This will not mean strict adherence to the two metre rule.

Children and young people will not be required to wear a face covering or mask, but anyone wishing to do so should be allowed to.

There will be a huge focus on hand and respiratory hygiene in schools in general.

Based on official guidance from the Scottish Government, pupils and staff will be given time to wash or sanitise their hands on arrival, on return from breaks, in changing rooms as well as before and after eating.

Clacks Council has also committed to continue to work in partnership with parents and carers as schools return.

Government advice added: "Some parents and carers may be concerned about their child returning to school and consider withholding their child until reassurance is provided.

"In these circumstances schools and local authorities should engage with those parents and carers to provide reassurance on any concerns, overcome any barriers to learning and support attendance."

Public health surveillance arrangements will also be in place to deal with any outbreaks while a part-time, blended approach to education will remain part of contingency planning.

School communities will be asked to keep a vigilant eye out for any symptoms of the virus.

Future education in the Wee County will be delivered in a variety of innovative ways as well, the council told the Advertiser.

This will include frequent and regular outdoor learning, engaging with the natural and built heritage.

Digital learning will look to make the best use of online advances where possible.

There will also be increased partnership working with organisations such as MCR Pathways, Columba 1400 and THRIVE.

Cllr Lindsay added: "Parents and carers have done a great job of supporting their children to continue learning at home during the pandemic.

"It is important going forward that we continue to work in partnership with them to support learning at home on key areas of education such as literacy and numeracy to build on any educational progress that has been made.

"We have some really positive initiatives in place which aim to ensure our young people in Clackmannanshire realise their full potential."

For Wee County pupils attending St Modan's High School, there are similar arrangements put in place by Stirling Council.

Comprehensive plans, including health and safety procedures are in place.

Updates on school transport and similar will be communicated directly to parents and carers by individual schools before the term starts.

Cllr Christine Simpson, vice convener of Stirling Council's Children and Young People Committee, added: "A wide range of support will also be available to children and young people who, understandably, may need extra help after such a long period out of full-time education and care."