Extension to School Holiday and Remote Learning
The Scottish Government has decided that the school holiday period will be extended until Monday 11 January 2021. All school pupils will start remote learning and teaching on Monday 11 January and this will last until Friday 29 January, subject to further review by the Scottish Government. We will contact parents/carers again about remote learning by Friday of this week.
Until the 18 January, nurseries (early learning and childcare) will only open to children of key workers and vulnerable children.
Parent/Carers will be updated on arrangements for after this date when further guidance is received from the Scottish Government.
Free School Meals
If your child is entitled to free school meals, the direct payments made to you over the holiday period will continue. This will initially be up to Friday 15 January 2021, and you will be updated on arrangements for the rest of the period of remote learning.
Children of Key Workers and Vulnerable Children
Separate arrangements have been made for children of key workers and vulnerable children from tomorrow (Wednesday 6 January 2021). Children of key workers who have requested a place, and have received confirmation that a place is available, can attend their school or nursery from Wednesday 6 January.
Please click on the link below to complete the keyworker child placement form. Please complete a form for each child. You will be notified by email of our decision once your eligibility for a place has been verified:
Parents/carers of vulnerable children can also attend their school or nursery from Wednesday 6 January if they have been contacted by their school in advance.
From Wednesday 6 January to Friday 8 January, schools will provide childcare and wellbeing support only. From Monday 11 January to Friday 29 January, schools will provide in-person learning and teaching for vulnerable children and the children of key workers. Normal school hours will apply, and breakfast clubs will operate. School transport will run as normal, unless parents/carers are contacted and informed of revised arrangements. Catering will be provided for children attending school and nursery (early learning and childcare) as normal and free school meals provided to those entitled.
Your child must not attend school or nursery if they have not received confirmation of a 'key worker' place, or been contacted by your school as a vulnerable child.
Important for parents/carers of vulnerable pupils and children of key workers
The normal Attendance Policy and procedures still apply. If you have been allocated a place to attend school/nursery you must inform the school if your child will not attend, as you would normally. (for example, if you have an alternative arrangement, they are ill or have a medical appointment).
If your child does not attend on the days allocated to them a GroupCall message will be sent to you recording the non-attendance.
FAQs regarding Return to School after Christmas
Why are schools/Early Learning and Childcare centres (ELCs) opening late and why is the first week home/online learning?
The Scottish Government announced on Saturday 19 December that all schools/ELCs in Scotland would do this as part of a range of measures designed to stop the spread of Covid-19. More information at Coronavirus (COVID-19): school re-opening arrangements for January 2021
Will all schools/ELCs be open or will it be a number of hub schools only?
All West Lothian schools and ELCs will be open. Vulnerable and key worker children will be allocated a place at their usual school.
Who is classed a key worker?
The Scottish Government have identified categories of Key Workers are outlined below:
Category 1 - Health and Care workers directly supporting COVID response, and associated staff; Health and Care workers supporting life threatening emergency work, as well as critical primary and community care provision; Energy suppliers (small numbers identified as top priority already); staff providing childcare/learning for other category 1 staff.
Category 2 - All other Health and Care workers, and wider public sector workers providing emergency/critical welfare services (e.g Fire, Police, Prisons, Social Workers, etc), as well as those supporting our Critical National Infrastructure, without whom serious damage to the welfare of the people of Scotland could be caused.
Category 3 - All workers (private, public or third sector) without whom there could be a significant impact on Scotland (but where the response to COVID-19, or the ability to perform essential tasks to keep the country running, would not be severely compromised).
I'm a key worker. Should I apply for a key worker place for my children if my partner is not a key worker, one of us is able to work from home or I can make essential informal childcare arrangements?
Please only apply for a key worker childcare place if you do not have any alternatives.
What days can apply for?
You should only apply for days when you have no other childcare alternatives. Please only apply for the days you need.
Parents/carers of ELC children should only apply for their usual days, so if your child normally attends on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you cannot apply for childcare for other days.
I've applied for a key worker place for my children - when will I hear back?
We will let you know as soon as possible and no later than Monday 4 January 2021 for those who applied by 31 December 2020
I applied for a key worker place for my child/children and was not successful. Can I appeal or question the decision?
Will normal absence arrangements apply?
Yes, if you book a place for a child of a key worker, or your child is allocated a place as a vulnerable child, you must inform the school if your child will not attend as you would normally.
Are school staff classed as key workers?
Yes, all staff required for the running of a school are classed as key workers, which includes teachers, support workers, facilities management, cleaning and catering staff.
Are arrangements for ELCs the same as schools?
Yes, the same applies to both schools and ELCs
Will Beatlie, Pinewood, Ogilvie, Connolly and Cedarbank schools be open from Wednesday 6 January?
Yes. Parents/carers of pupils at these schools will be contacted by their school by Thursday 31 December to confirm individual arrangements for your child/children.
What are the arrangement for children identified as vulnerable?
An updated list of children identified by their school as benefitting from attendance is being compiled, and all parents/carers of children identified will receive a Groupcall or be contacted by their school. Most parents/carers will be contacted by Groupcall by Monday 4 January however some may be contacted directly by their school from Tuesday 5 January onwards on the return of staff to school buildings.
What if I believe my child to be vulnerable and we haven't heard anything?
Does my child need to wear school uniform?
Children who will be in school on the non-teaching week between from Wednesday 6 January - Friday 8 January will not be required to wear their school uniform. From when learning resumes on Monday 11 January, children who are required to be in school should wear their uniform as normal.
Can I drop off my child and collect my child around my working times?
Children who are eligible for a Key Worker place at their school/nursery will be given a place for the days in which they require. These placements will be for the entire school day on the days needed and children should attend their school/nursery as normal including for morning registration and leaving at the end of the usual school/nursery day.
Is school transport still operating?
All school transport will run as normal for pupils who have confirmed place in school only.
Are breakfast clubs still running?
Breakfast clubs are operating as normal, but only children who have confirmed place in school that day should attend.
Will my child still be able to get a school meal?
School canteens will be open as usual for both paying and Free School Meal children, and paying children can order as normal.
What arrangements are in place for children eligible for free schools meals who are not in school?
All parents/carers who are eligible for free school meals will receive an extra payment of £24 on Saturday 9 January to cover the cost of meals for the week.
This payment will be made to parents/carers in free school meals households for children in P4 to S6 who receive Free School Meals in this current academic year 2020/21.
Children in P1 to P3 receiving universal entitlement to Free School Meals will only qualify for a payment if they received a School Clothing Grant in this current academic year.
What are the arrangements for home/online learning on the week of Monday 11 January?
The majority of children will learn online via Teams, with P1-P3 children provided learning through SeeSaw. Anyone who does not have internet access or suitable devices should contact their school, who will arrange for them to be provided with devices or paper copies as appropriate.
Will schools/ELCS re-open as normal on Monday 18 January?
We are planning on re-opening all schools/ELCs as normal on Monday 18 January in line with current Scottish Government guidance. If this guidance changes, we will notify parents/carers as soon as possible.
What are the plans for senior pupils who are due to take part in assessments?
Schools will consider assessment plans and advise pupils on any changes to arrangements before schools resume on Monday 11 January.
Are private nurseries allowed to open?
Nurseries and Out of School Childcare for School Aged Children
Up to 18 January 2021, early learning and childcare (including private partner providers) and school age childcare services can only open to children of key workers and vulnerable children.
If your child attends a private nursery, please speak to your private provider direct.
Will West Lothian College be open?
