Dear Parent,

I hope that you and your loved ones are well and that your son or daughter is continuing to engage with their teachers on Google Classroom. I know that this has been a very difficult few months and it has reinforced how essential it is for young people to have personal contact with teachers. If it is any consolation, our staff team share this frustration and they are really looking forward to school resuming in August 2020.

Following the announcement from the Depute First Minister on Tuesday 23 June that it is now the aim of Scottish Government for children to be able to return to school full time in August, we are now able to update our planning assumptions and the phased return to school plan that we have been working on during this past month will now become our contingency plan.

Blended Learning Contingency Plan

Our intention is that all young people will return to school full time in August however, I wanted to share with you our Blended Learning Contingency Plan. We have been working with the local authority to explore possible models which would provide maximum in-school contact for every young person, whilst retaining appropriate physical distancing. A number of possible models were discounted as they did not provide as high as, or as consistent a level, of teacher-pupil contact as we would have liked.

Working with staff, Parent Council and Pupil Improvement Teams we agreed upon a blended learning model f which allows every pupil to attend school every day balancing the following values-led principles set out by Scottish Government in Coronavirus (COVID-19): strategic framework for reopening schools, early learning and childcare provision.

Safe

• Protects the physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people (this includes indirect harms through societal and economic effects) as well as all staff.

Fair and Ethical

• Ensuring every child has the same opportunity to succeed through their blend of in-school and in-home learning, with a particular focus on closing the poverty related attainment gap.

• Ability to prioritise learners at key points and/or with specific needs.

Clear

• Is easy to interpret and understand, and has the confidence of parents, staff and young people so that they can plan ahead.

Realistic

• The options are both viable and effective at the level they're applied.

Our model is also based on maintaining maximum contact with our young people, a broad curriculum offer and a focus on recovery and health and wellbeing whilst adhering to physical distancing guidelines.

Whilst I recognise that this timetable is far from ideal, I hope you will agree, that should we need to deploy this contingency plan, we have succeeded in being able to prioritise daily contact with your son or daughter’s teachers and school-based supports. You can read more about our Blended Learning Contingency Plan as you scroll down further on this page.

Please remember that our previously planned school timetable is ready to implement in August and we are now planning for children to be able to return to school full time. Before school returns in August, I will be in touch again with further advice and more detailed instructions for young people, allowing their return to school to be happy, safe and well supported.

Thank you for your continued support throughout this challenging time and I hope that you enjoy a safe, restful and enjoyable Summer break.

Your sincerely,

Mrs Hook

Please note that changes to groups will not be possible.

S5/6 students will be allocated to their groups following the SQA Exam results being awarded on 4 August and once any necessary changes to individual student timetables are completed.

Whilst senior staff created a Risk Assessment to support the safety of staff returning in June, a further Risk Assessment will be in place for our pupils returning in August. This is being supported by our Stirling Council Health and Safety Team.

To help minimise the spread of infection, hand sanitising units will be installed at entrance and exit points and across the school building.

Whilst physical distancing measures are still in place, we will organise a one-way system for movement around the school building with signage and staff support to emphasise this.

Alongside the morning break time, staff will allow pupils to go to the toilet when necessary, helping to prevent busy periods.

Cleaning – our cleaning staff will be on hand throughout the day to undertake a programme of cleaning in toilets, door panels, bannisters etc.

Classrooms will be provided with anti-bacterial spray and paper towels to wipe down desks and the top of chairs at the end of each lesson.

Young people's temperatures will not be taken by the school but we ask that children with COVID-19 symptoms do not attend school and NHS guidelines are followed for any household member with symptoms. Any young person displaying symptoms in school will be isolated and parents will be asked to collect them from school.

Any injuries or personal care situations in school will be dealt with as normal with the adults wearing PPE as necessary. We will observe social distancing rules as much as possible in these situations.

Young people and staff can wear face masks if they wish.

Any child who is shielding will be supported as per Government/Local Authority guidance and parents should make contact with Pupil Support to notify us and a plan will be put in place.

Pupils will not have access to shared water fountains. They should, therefore, bring water with them, if they require this.

Chewing gum will also be completely prohibited in school.

All of these health and safety measures will be shared with our young people during their inductions (as detailed above). We are fortunate that our young people in Bannockburn High School are fully committed to our values and school rules: Ready, Respectful and Safe. However, should a young person deliberately fail to comply with our strict health and safety measures, parental contact will be made and disciplinary procedures will be followed.

We are pleased to confirm that the 'Schools of...' Programme will continue into the new term. The application process for new S1 will take place when we return in August. All S2 pupils who are already a member of this programme will be given the opportunity to continue and this will be discussed with pupils on our return to school.

We are working closely with Stirling Council Catering, our Parent Council and Pupil Improvement Teams to develop a bespoke service for Bannockburn High School. Further details will be shared prior to return in August, but rest assured all young people who are entitled to Free School Meals will be provided for.

We are awaiting final confirmation of the procedure that will be put in place for the health and safety of all involved in transport and we are in discussion with transport to coordinate our Blended Learning Approach. We will update you prior to the return to school in August.

As is standard, every year an element of re-coursing is required after examination results have been awarded. Information about how this process will be conducted will be shared with you in August. It is anticipated that this will be in a digital format, via a Google Form.

Pupils will not have access to Lockers. Arrangements will be made to allow pupils to remove belongings, if necessary.