The reopening of schools

Schools reopened on Tuesday 11 August. Some councils have followed a phased return but all children and young people were expected to be back in full time education by Tuesday 18 August. 
 
Guidance from the Scottish Government

Guidance was published at the end of July for schools and local authorities about the measures they should put in place for the reopening of schools. 

This was updated when the Scottish Government announced that face coverings should be worn for children over the age of 12 from 31 August.

The latest Scottish Government Guidance is here:

If you are concerned that the Government’s guidance and good practice is not being followed,  get in touch with your child’s school or local council as soon as possible. You may also wish to contact our Education Rights Service.

Risk assessments 

The guidance encourages schools to carry out risk assessments, particularly for disabled staff and children and young people identified at being at greater risk from coronavirus. The school should keep parents up to date with the assessment outcomes. 

Anxiety over return to school

The guidance acknowledges that some children will be particularly anxious about returning to school and that a gradual approach may be best. 

It goes on to say “It will be important to phase some of this in through family interaction prior to the return to school, particularly for children and young people with additional support needs. It will also be vital for relevant services to consider mental health awareness.”

Enhanced hygiene practices

Hygiene practices should be used for children and young people including: 
•    frequent handwashing 
•    catching coughs/sneezes with tissues or elbow  
•    avoiding touching their faces 
•    keeping windows/doors open to aid ventilation 
 
The guidance acknowledges that additional time and support may be needed for those with complex needs to practise advanced hygiene.

Social distancing in primary schools
•    Pupils in primary schools do not need to social distance between one another. 
•    Staff should socially distance from one another by two metres.
•    Staff should also socially distance from pupils.
However, this need not apply for staff working with pupils with additional support needs where intimate care and support is needed. 
•    Parents of pupils with additional support needs are allowed to enter the building if necessary.

Social distancing in secondary schools

• Pupils in secondary schools are to be encouraged to socially distance and keep two metres apart where possible. 
• Staff should socially distance from one another and from pupils.  

However, this need not apply for staff working with those with additional support needs where intimate care and support is needed. 

• Parents of pupils with additional support needs are allowed to enter the building if necessary.

The guidance also suggests some ways that schools might encourage social distancing among pupils in both primary and secondary schools. 

These include: 
•    discouraging social physical contact (hand to hand greeting/hugs) 
•    using all the available space in classrooms, halls, libraries or social spaces
•    adjusting class space to maintain spacing between desks or between individuals
•    seating pupils side by side and facing forwards, rather than face to face 
•    minimising congregation around shared resources 
•    altering class sizes/composition to create more space.

Face coverings in secondary schools

• From 31 August face coverings should be worn in secondary schools, by adults and all pupils moving around the school, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Face coverings do not need to be worn in the classroom by either pupils or teachers.

However, where adults cannot keep two metre distance and are interacting face-to-face for a sustained period (about 15 minutes or more), face coverings should be worn.

• Staff do not need to wear a face covering if they are supporting a pupil with additional support needs and a face covering would hinder their communication.

Face covering exemption

The guidance makes clear that not all pupils need to wear a face covering and that schools and staff should respect this.

Disabled pupils (including autistic pupils) who cannot wear a face covering because it causes difficulty, pain, distress or anxiety need not wear one.

Pupils do not have to prove their exemption and should not be made to wear a face covering if they cannot. 

Scottish Government guidance asks that ‘people be aware of the exemptions and to treat each other with kindness’.

Updated guidance on face coverings can be found here.

School transport 

• Children over the age of five should wear a face covering on school buses from 31 August.
• The exemption on face coverings applies as above.
• Local authorities should also consider the support available for pupils with complex additional support needs, and take appropriate actions to reduce risk (of infection) if it is not possible for adults to stick to  hygiene rules and physical distancing.
• Where children and young people are using private hire providers to get to school (taxis for example) then local authorities and schools should liaise with the provider on the measures they are putting in place to protect passengers. This could include the use of Perspex shields in taxis or finding larger vehicles for transportation 

Good practice resources for professionals

We welcome good practice resources for teachers and local authorities developed by the National Autism Implementation Team. They include useful tips and guides for professionals on how to support autistic children and young people back to school and the adaptions they might need to make. 

You can find the resources online

What we’re doing

If you are worried about your child going back to school, or have questions about what’s happening, contact our Education Rights Service. They provide impartial and confidential information and support to families on school education rights and entitlements.

We have also been urging schools and councils to put in place more support for autistic children and young people to aid their return to school. We feel the guidance doesn’t go far enough and so have raised it with the Scottish Government. You can read more about this here

We’re also telling the Government about your experiences of the coronavirus outbreak so they know what life is like for autistic people and their families. If you want to share your experiences, and any worries or concerns you have, email us at stories@nas.org.uk.