Scottish schools and coronavirus

All schools are following guidelines which are aligned with wider society to keep pupils and staff safe. The guidelines have been updated to reflect the fact that we’re in a new phase of the pandemic, with better protection from the virus thanks to vaccines and improved treatments. As always, this decision has been informed by a range of scientific advice and clinical evidence and by experts in education, early learning and children’s services. 

Schools are still being cleaned regularly, and are asking everyone to continue washing their hands. Classrooms should be well ventilated, and other precautions may also be put in place – each school building is different, so for more details on what your child’s school is doing you can contact them directly.

The legal requirement to wear face coverings – applying to shops, certain other indoor settings and public transport – has been converted to guidance. In order to maintain consistency between that position and the schools guidance, this means that face coverings in communal areas of schools are no longer mandatory, but we continue to encourage their use. 

All restrictions on day trips, events and allowing parents and other visitors into schools have been removed. This will help to create a much more ‘normal’ experience for children, families and staff.

You can find out more about what schools are doing to keep everyone safe on the gov.scot website.

All children and staff should follow good hygiene practices:

• frequent washing/sanitising of hands for 20 seconds and drying thoroughly, and always when entering/leaving the building, before/after eating and after using the toilet
• avoid touching their faces including mouth, eyes and nose
• using a tissue or elbow to catch a cough or sneeze.

Like everyone else in Scotland, children are no longer required to wear face coverings. However, we’re all being asked to continue to wear them if we can, especially in indoor settings and on public transport, to help prevent the virus and other respiratory illnesses spreading. Our page on face coverings has more information.

Testing programmes have ended, meaning that schools and ELC settings no longer have the facility to order LFD test kits, and staff and pupils are no longer asked to test themselves for COVID-19. This recognises that we are moving into a new phase of living with COVID-19, and the reduced levels of risk that now exist

The Chief Medical Officer is continuing to advise that people on the Highest Risk List can follow general population advice unless advised otherwise by their GP or clinician. Taking up all vaccinations offered remains the most important thing everyone, including those on the Highest Risk List, can do to protect against severe illness from the virus. 

Further information and advice is available at the gov.scot website.

Restrictions on parents and carers visiting settings have now ended. However, schools may have different rules on this so please get in touch with your child’s school to find out more.

Your child’s school will continue to encourage as much involvement from parents as possible, even if they can’t enter the school.

Schools have been keen to make better use of the outdoors as evidence has shown that there is less chance of catching coronavirus when outside. However, there are other benefits too. When children spend time playing and learning in the outdoors they're more active, engaged and likely to have better concentration when returning to their classrooms. 

It's not true that being outside in cold weather will make you more likely to catch cold or flu. Schools may ask you to provide warm clothing or waterproofs so your child can be comfortable and relaxed and get used to being outdoors in the rain. The outdoors will help them to be more active and have a healthier lifestyle as they grow up. 

Many schools have spare outdoor clothes that can be accessed or you may be able to get financial help through a clothing grant.

Learning across all subjects and stages can be delivered outdoors with great effect. It allows your child to develop and build their skills and knowledge, and can help your child to make sense of the world around them. The outdoors encourages children to think creatively and build up resilience, awareness of risks and can help with problem solving.  

Teachers can also take the class to different spaces – school grounds, local parks or further afield for visits to national parks, outdoor education centres, beaches and mountains.  

Every school wants to develop their curriculum to meet the needs of its children and community so if you have any concerns or ideas you would like to see happening then speak to your child's teacher or contact the school.