Schools in Moray are continuing to prepare for some pupils having to remain at home following the summer holidays.
The Scottish Government announced that all students were expected to be able to return to class at the same time after the break if the rate of Covid-19 cases continued to decrease.
Moray Council, however, has confirmed it is continuing to draw up contingency plans for some children remaining at home in the event of progress against the virus being less speedy than hoped.
Head of education, Vivienne Cross, said: “None of us would wish children to be away from school for any additional period of time, but we must be assured it is safe for they and our staff to return.
“Schools have developed their recovery plans and these will continue to be finalised as a contingency for August, should full-time schooling not return at the start of term.
“These plans have been drawn up giving consideration to the constraints faced by many schools in terms of staffing, buildings and transport and has been a massive logistical undertaking.”
Pupils and parents have been home learning throughout the lockdown while classrooms have remained closed.
The contingency arrangements being drafted by education officers allow for some blended learning to continue if Covid-19 remains a threat after the holidays.
Schools in Moray have been tasked with informing families of the individual arrangements for each location.
Sonya Warren, chairwoman of the council’s children and young people’s committee, said: “Never before have we seen, and hopefully never again will we see, the upheaval of education in Moray on the scale that we have during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“While we’re not through the other side of it yet, it’s inspiring to see how staff and pupils have given their all to making sure the continuation of education for our young people has been to the fore in recent weeks.”
