Dear Parents and Carers,
With announcements that have emerged from central government, we now have an idea of what the return to school might be looking like. With small numbers of pupils currently attending to complete practical assessments, we are expecting an increased number of pupils to attend – for at last part of the week – from 15 March and possibly getting all students back full-time after the Easter break on 12 April. All of this is speculative and dependant on confirmation from the Government. Decisions being made by Education Scotland are concentrating on Senior pupils, presumably as they have exams, but I’m sure information about S1-S3 pupils will emerge shortly.
When Senior pupils return they will very quickly face formal assessments in most of their subjects, so that teachers can evidence their achievements for their SQA grades. It will vary from subject to subject – just as the normal exams do – but in nearly all subjects this will take the form of examinations and the results of these, taken alongside other evidence, will form the basis of the pupils’ final grades. These assessments need to be completed by the end of May, which leaves very little time after pupils return to school and is certainly not enough time to catch up on work that should have been completed remotely. For this reason, it is important that pupils manage their revision as well as any other remote learning being set by teachers. Staff will also be making decisions about the level at which pupils should be entered for National Qualifications (N4, N5 or Higher) in April, inevitably this decision will be based partly on work produced during lockdown.
When in school it is important to remember that, at the moment, we are still in tier 4 of lockdown. This means that when in school, students need to maintain 2m distancing and S4-S6 pupils have to wear a face covering at all times.
Please encourage your child to keep on going! We know how hard it has been for many families but we are now beginning to see signs that pupils are picking and choosing which of their subjects they are going to work at, instead of attempting all the work set. This inevitably means that they will fall behind in the other subjects and it may be very difficult to catch up.
If pupils need help they should contact their Pupil Support teacher for general support, or for specific help with a subject they should contact the teacher directly.
I am sure that we will soon know when everyone will be back and that it isn’t too far away.
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Tuffery
Headteacher
