Next phase of return to schools unveiled

Published: 2nd March 2021

The First Minister has announced plans to get more children and young people back to school from Monday 15 March

From this date, all primary school pupils in P4-P7 will return to school on a full-time basis, joining P1-3s and children in Early Learning and Childcare settings who went back last month.

All secondary school pupils will receive some in-school education from 15 March up until the Easter holidays, which begin on 2 April. 

Young people in S4-S6 who are studying for national qualifications will be prioritised for this face-to-face learning.

We are already planning for this further return of pupils and will provide a full update to parents later next week. 

A full-time return for secondary school pupils is now proposed for after the Easter Holidays.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Executive Member for Children and Young People

“Getting more children back to school is so important and I am pleased that we can start to do this from 15 March. 

“While we have excellent home learning capabilities in the Scottish Borders, especially through our award-winning Inspire Learning programme, that in-school interaction between children and their friends, and teachers, is vital going forward not only in term of their education but their wellbeing as well.

“We are already planning for this next phase of returning to school, which requires extensive work across many different areas, and look forward to providing parents, pupils and staff with a comprehensive update later next week ahead of the changes from 15 March.”