The first pupils to return to Aberdeen schools will be in classrooms a week today, it has been confirmed.
But education bosses have warned a local spike in coronavirus cases could prevent a full return if staff numbers are impacted.
The city council has published an update on its plan to have youngsters back in its schools after the latest advice from the Scottish Government.
Local authority chiefs said they were “confident” about implementing measures to ensure a safe return.
Children will take part in group orientation sessions, beginning on Wednesday, to help ease them back into the much-changed learning setting.
Full-time schooling is expected to begin the following Monday, August 17 – one day before the deadline set by Scottish Government for all young people to be back in class.
But, after a spike in cases in Aberdeen, officials warned that could potentially be “prevented” if “high numbers of staff” were impacted.
Some minimal adaptations have been required in primary schools, given the relaxation of physical distancing rules for children.
More work is needed in secondaries, where it is likely desks will be moved to face the front, to avoid having pupils facing each other, while distancing will be in place between staff and youngsters and PPE provided.
A letter sent to families ahead of the return underlines staff will “always err on the side of caution” if pupils have suspected virus symptoms.
Parents can expect to be contacted and asked to collect the child immediately if signs are spotted – with every school identifying an “isolation space” for those waiting to be picked up.
Teachers could find themselves supervising younger pupils’ hand washing as a greater emphasis is put on hygiene to stem the spread of Covid-19.
It is understood lunch times will be staggered to limit large gatherings in dining halls and teachers will be asked to keep windows open to keep rooms ventilated.
And informal outdoor classrooms are also to be set up “where possible”.
Most parents, unless cleared by staff, will not be permitted to enter the school grounds, even to drop off their children.
Praise was heaped on council staff for devising the plan at such speed, with Liberal Democrat education spokesman Martin Greig saying: “The city’s education professionals have done a power of good work in a short time to prepare schools.
“Our local team is making a truly enormous effort way beyond what is normal and expected to produce detailed actions and lists to keep everyone as safe as possible.”
