Scottish ministers told there is no need for distancing between pupils when schools return

Parent groups have claimed a victory in their campaign to have Scottish schools reopen full time from August, after experts told ministers that children could return to classes without the need for physical distancing.

In advice published yesterday, scientific advisers to the Scottish Government said that pupils should not have to physically distance once the new term begins if Covid-19 cases remain low, although they admitted that the evidence was “less clear” with regard to older school children.

Teachers should still have to maintain a two metre distance from other adults and children wherever possible, while staff should wear face masks if they are face-to-face with pupils for 15 minutes or more, the report said. It added that both teachers and pupils who want to wear masks should be allowed to do so.

A final decision on schools reopening will be made at the end of the month, and detailed guidance for schools based on the advice is yet to be drawn up.

However, parent campaigners said the report was in line with “ample scientific evidence” from Europe that reopening schools had not led to a dangerous surge in Covid-19 cases.

The Scottish Government had initially said pupils would go back only part time from August, due to the need for two metre distancing between children, with some parents told their children would be in school for as little as one day a week. However, ministers backtracked following a backlash from parents.

Jo Bisset, a spokeswoman for the Us for Them Scotland group, which has campaigned for schools to reopen full time, said: “We warmly welcome the advice that suggests that school pupils will not need to physically distance from their peers when they return to school full time in August.

“We are glad that the Scottish Government has recognised the ever-growing mountain of evidence from paediatricians, child psychologists, mental health charities and other experts that physical distancing and removal from school is harmful for children and young people.

“However, we are asking for clarity on the exact scientific criteria or set of conditions that will be used to decide whether our children will return to school full time on 11 August.

“We also want to know the exact criteria that may be used to decide if schools close again in the future.”

The advisers’ report noted evidence of a far lower prevalence of coronavirus among children, and stated that they faced significantly less risk of falling seriously ill if they did catch Covid-19. So far in the pandemic, less than one per cent of positive cases in Scotland have been in people aged 15 or under and there have been no deaths among children.

The advisers said the evidence on physical distancing among older teenagers was less conclusive, but concluded that the benefits of these age groups returning to school full time outweighed the dangers “on the balance of known risks”.

However, subject choice could be restricted after the advisers warned that travelling between schools should be kept to an “absolute minimum”. In some parts of Scotland, pupils travel to different schools to access different courses.

The report advises certain school activities such as drama and gym classes, assemblies and choirs should not be immediately reintroduced because of the higher risk of virus transmission.

Meanwhile, there should be a “zero tolerance” approach to anyone displaying symptoms, with entire schools potentially being closed down if there was a confirmed case.

The EIS, the country’s largest teaching union, welcomed the publication of the advice but said “significant discussion” was still needed about how schools would operate in practice.

Reopening to pupils full time on August 11 relies on the virus remaining suppressed in Scotland, while it remains unclear whether staff and pupils will receive regular testing.

“The reports highlight the importance of significant mitigations being operational in schools,” Larry Flanagan, the general secretary of the EIS said. “Pro-active testing of school communities is certainly one measure which should be in place and we also think that more should be done around senior pupils, who are young adults rather than children.”

Advice for school transport strongly recommends pupils travel to school on foot, bike or scooter where possible. Dedicated school transport, such as school buses, would be considered an "extension of the school estate" where distancing measures are not required.

John Swinney, the education secretary, said: "This scientific advice will inform the way schools can reopen safely from August 11, if infection rates continue to remain low.

"We are considering this advice as we develop comprehensive guidance which will give confidence to our school communities that the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and staff is ensured as we welcome them back.”