PARENTS in Renfrewshire have been given a first glimpse of what school life may look like for their children next year as council chiefs prepare to gradually welcome youngsters back in August.

On Monday, education bosses released a 24-minute video detailing how kids will return to the classroom, including how social distancing and hygiene will be managed.

Steven Quinn, director of children’s services, also ran through what a phased return to school and nursery may look like, as well as discussing plans for those pupils starting primary or secondary school and how youngsters who are sitting exams next year will be supported.

Mr Quinn said the council is planning for teachers and support staff to gradually return to schools throughout this month, to prepare for delivering a ‘blended’ education programme for pupils from a proposed date of August 11.

Children will spend some days at school and others learning from home.

It is hoped some nurseries will be able to welcome children back next month.

Parents can expect children to return to significantly smaller classes. Start and end times to the day could also change.

Council chiefs have said efforts will be made to ensure siblings can attend school on the same day and staff will be working to offer additional childcare to parents if necessary.

Mr Quinn also revealed some schools will look to use space outside of classrooms for teaching, including other buildings nearby.

It is understood education leaders are looking at how other countries across the world have handled social distancing in schools, while following national guidance.

Plans are being drawn up for pupils starting in P1 or S1 to ensure they get to spend a few final days at their nursery or primary, as well as their new school.

Mr Quinn said: “Our priority will be the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people and our staff who are coming back into school. I really hope that can take place in August.

“Each school may have slightly different steps in place because of the shape and size and the layout of that school.

“Children will come to school part of the time and that will be supplemented by at-home learning. We are working on what that will look like in Renfrewshire.

“Numbers will be significantly smaller in each class. That will give our teachers the chance to work closely with children to support their learning but also to support the work they will do while they are at home.

“We will make every effort to ensure siblings will be in at the same time. We will work to ensure we can offer additional childcare on the days they can’t come to school.”

Mr Quinn also outlined how coursework could play a much bigger part in determining the grades of those preparing to sit exams in the future.

With exams cancelled this year, teachers have had to assess pupils’ work so far and give an estimated grade to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Mr Quinn said young people should be prepared to put in their full effort from day one of coming back to school, as this could be a catalyst for a new way of assessing children’s work.

“The blended model will not give pupils the necessary time in school to prepare for exams next year," he added. “In some form, continuous assessment will need to play a critical role.

“My message to young people is don’t wait. Your efforts from day one are going to be critical, as they may well support your final grade.”

Parents can watch the full video at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-schools.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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