Coronavirus: Pupils and parents react to schools re-opening

Local authorities across Scotland are taking different approaches with the time frame for re-opening for the first time since March 20.

Pupils in the Scottish Borders are returning today, as are some in Shetland on a phased basis.

Alex Bisset, an S6 pupil at Kelso High School in the Scottish Borders, told the PA news agency he felt safe returning as extra hygiene measures have been put in place on campus.

But he is pessimistic about how long the school will remain open.

The 17-year-old from Birgham said: "I'm feeling quite happy that things are slowly returning to normal but at the same time I don't think it's going to last.

"I feel like in not too long there's going to be perhaps another outbreak and we'll all be sent home again."

Isla Findlay, an S5 pupil at the school, said she felt a little overwhelmed seeing so many of her classmates after five months of lockdown.

The 16-year-old from Kelso said: "I'm a bit nervous but, yeah, it will be good.

"It's just, like, what's going to be different? I'm happy to see all of my friends - just how are they going to handle everything? It's a bit scary.

"I'm feeling safe, it's just a lot seeing everyone again. I thought it would be a lot worse but it's nice to see everyone as it's been so long."

Kelso High School head teacher Jill Lothian is optimistic about the return of pupils, saying she does not want the pandemic to "define them".

READ MORE: Shielding parents ‘extremely scared’ as children return to school

But she acknowledged some parents are worried about the move.

She said: "They came in this morning, they were smiling, it was great to see them in school and I hope they're glad to be back - it's about learning.

"What I don't want is for Covid to define them and I think that's what's really important is that we take this opportunity this year and move forward - and that's what we'll help them with."

Parent council chairwoman Gemma O'Brien, who has a daughter at the school, said: "I'm nervous for the students, they've been cooped up for the last five months with their family and now the day has come where they're just getting back into school with all of their old friends and new friends as well and all their teachers.

"It's a massive step just to get here and I think a lot of them were not sure when it was going to come and if it was ever going to come this year.

"I'm a little bit apprehensive for everybody but I know this is what everybody is needing."

Pupils arrived at Kelso High School in the Scottish Borders to start school again today

Elsewhere in Scotland pupils will return from tomorrow, with many councils operating a phased return ahead of the August 18 deadline for all pupils to be back full-time.

Social distancing will be in place for adults and encouraged for older pupils, while young children will not be expected to.

Face masks will only have to be worn by staff who cannot effectively social distance, however anyone who wishes to should be allowed.

Fears have been raised about how well-prepared teachers are to deal with mitigating the spread of the virus, as well as anxiety among staff who are returning.

An NSPCC Scotland spokesperson said: “We know that many children in Scotland have suffered difficult and traumatic experiences over the past few months.

“During lockdown, we saw a rise in contacts to Childline about mental and emotional health and our NSPCC helpline made 40% more referrals to Police Scotland and local authorities.

“Now, as children across the country return to school, it is crucial they are given the support they need to help them recover from any mental and physical harm.

"The Scottish Government, local authorities and health boards need to ensure that they have sufficient resources in place to respond to a likely increased need for therapeutic services.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said schools returning is a "major milestone" in the fight against coronavirus in Scotland.

She added: "Today's return has been made possible by the progress all of us have made in suppressing the virus but we know from all sorts of evidence here at home and elsewhere across the UK and across Europe that progress remains fragile and we all really need to continue to be vigilant and cautious."

READ MORE: ‘Serious concerns’ among Scottish teachers on schools return

Some parents may view the return of schools as a way for them to get back into their workplace, she said, but urged them to work from home if possible as it is "safest".

Meanwhile, Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) general secretary Larry Flanagan said about 80% of its members had expressed "deep concerns" about safety over the re-opening of schools.

The union has has lodged grievances with Scottish Borders and Moray councils over what it claims are failures to facilitate phased returns of pupils and to properly consult and reach agreement with the EIS and other trade unions.