CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICE – UPDATE FOR PARENTS/CARERS -

Dear Parent/Carer

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICE – UPDATE FOR PARENTS/CARERS -

WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020

I am writing to update you on progress in Dundee following the First Minister’s

announcement that the new school year will begin in August, if the scientific advice says it is

safe to do so.

Staff are due to return in June to help prepare for this, and we are working to identify dates

that month when some children and young people can come into school for support ahead of

the new term.

Once we are satisfied that our nursery and school buildings are safe to open again, and staff

have returned, Head Teachers will begin to contact some families.

If your child is due to start P1 you will receive information from your school and there may be

an opportunity to visit the school and meet key staff.

We may also contact other children and parents, including some who are due to start S1 and

those who may require some extra support at this time. Secondary schools may get in touch

with some pupils entering the senior phase of their education.

Your invitation will clearly outline details of times and days and the steps required during your

visit which will enable us to ensure that everyone is kept safe. Schools and nurseries are

also working hard to prepare online video and digital information to help with all transitions.

Our network of Community Support Centres (CSCs) will continue to operate throughout the

summer holiday for the children of key workers and also vulnerable children. Access to a

CSC childcare facility remains only for those key workers who have exhausted all other

childcare options. We will continue to provide updates and will be in touch with families who

are currently accessing the CSCs to enquire about requirements over the summer.

Please be assured that we are working hard to plan for the phased return of all children and

young people in August. This involves considering all public health advice, particularly

around physical distancing, to ensure that when children return, they are accommodated

safely in all our schools and nurseries.

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It is clear that attendance at school for primary and secondary pupils is likely to be on a parttime,

and rota basis. During that phased return, when children are not in school, they will

continue to have access to learning at home, through digital online approaches or packs of

learning resources.

Your school/nursery will be issuing clear guidance before the start of term in August.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you are providing for your

child’s learning at home. We appreciate this can be quite challenging. Our staff are working

hard to provide resources and we are keen to receive feedback from you on your experience

of home learning. Please feel free to get in touch directly, or through your schools’ parent

council which is also a helpful point of contact.

We had a very successful conference call ‘meeting’ with the chairs of our schools’ parent

councils on Tuesday 26 May, and we plan to convene regular meetings to keep them up to

date as we move through our recovery phase.

Take care and keep safe

Yours sincerely

AUDREY MAY

Head of Service (Chief Education Officer)