Glasgow pupils return to school as we visit Scotstoun and Knightswood primaries

At Knightswood Primary School teachers had made a special “Welcome Back” banner for each child to walk under and mark their return to school.

Miss Bhegani teaches her Primary 1 class at Knightwood Primary Picture: Robert Perry

While some parents were understandably anxious about the return of pupils in P1 to P3, head teachers reported children were delighted to be back.

Jonathan Cunningham, head teacher at Knightswood Primary, said it was “absolutely lovely” to see his youngest pupils return.

Jonathan Cunningham at Knightwood Primary Picture: Robert Perry

He added: “School isn’t the same without the wee ones running around and joking – of course, these are slightly bigger versions of the wee ones who went away on their holidays in December.

“Today had that feeling of day one in August all over again and the parents and carers seemed just as excited to hand over the wee ones as the wee ones were to be back.”

Miss Bhegani teaches her Primary 1 class at Knightwood Primary Picture: Robert Perry

Jonathan said it had been important to ensure that parents were comfortable with the start of the phased return of pupils, which yesterday also included older secondary pupils who need to be in class for practical subjects.

The head said it had been important to have good communication with parents about the coronavirus mitigations in the classrooms.

Scotstoun Primary return to school...Picture Robert Perry 22nd Feb 2021..FEE PAYABLE FOR REPRO USE.FEE PAYABLE FOR ALL INTERNET USE.www.robertperry.co.uk.NB -This image is not to be distributed without the prior consent of the copyright holder..in using t

He said Knightwood Primary had run questionnaires with parents and benefits from a strong parent council.

Children, Jonathan added, have adapted very quickly to changes in school: “We have to remember that parents have been trying to balance their own lives as well as working on the online platforms.

Scotstoun Primary return to school Picture: Robert Perry

“P1 parents have found that more difficult than other year groups because P1s need adults to support them through.

“We have had a number of conversations with parents and carers who have been checking in with us during the day.

“But for the pupils it’s second nature now that they’re washing their hands seven times throughout the day. Children just accept that as a normal part of the day.

 

“Parents certainly trust us and if they have any questions they do seem to be very comfortable contacting us and asking.”

The school has also been running support sessions for some pupils with Action For Children and has continued running its food bank.

Knightswood Primary return to school. Miss Bhegani teaches her Primary 1 class...Picture Robert Perry 22nd Feb 2021..FEE PAYABLE FOR REPRO USE.FEE PAYABLE FOR ALL INTERNET USE.www.robertperry.co.uk.NB -This image is not to be distributed without the prior

Chris Cunningham, Glasgow’s city convener of education, skills and early years, was at Scotstoun Primary yesterday to see pupils returning to class.

While glad to see the youngest pupils returning, the schools boss said he wished more youngsters were back in class.

He said: “I understand the government’s got a difficult job to do.

Miss Bhegani teaches her Primary 1 class at Knightwood Primary Picture: Robert Perry

“They have to weigh the balance between safety and getting schools back and I can’t emphasise enough that all of this has to work safely for everyone, for the children, for all of the staff and teachers who work in the schools.

“So it’s one of these things where I am so, so pleased to see schools returning but I look forward to all of our school children and young people being back in the classroom because I think that is the best thing for them.”

Mrs Trayner teaches her Primary 3 class Picture: Robert Perry

While Chris praised teachers for their work in remote learning, he said it was “second best” and no replacement for being in the classroom.

He added: “There’s a lot our young people are missing out on from not being in school.

Knightswood Primary return to school Picture: Robert Perry

“However well we think we’re doing, and I do believe in Glasgow we have done well, we ought not to kid ourselves that somehow or another that’s a substitute for being back in the classroom – it’s not.

“I have a concern about young people staring at computer screens. It’s an unnatural environment for them.

“We need to try somehow or another to bring that to an end as soon as possible.

Miss Bhegani teaches her Primary 1 class at Knightwood Primary Picture: Robert Perry

“This Covid generation are going to live with that reality and that is going to be their reality and they will carry that for the rest of their life.I desperately don’t want another year of this.”

Chris met with Scotstoun’s head teacher Emma McGill, who was in the playground to welcome her youngest pupils back to

school.

Emma had only been at the school for three weeks when the new lockdown started but she praised the school community for welcoming her in.

When youngsters head in to school they have different zones to line up in to minimise contact between different classes; there are staggered break times; classrooms are ventilated; and there is plenty of handwashing.

As well as a return to in-person learning, schools are also juggling their key worker bubbles and home learning for older pupils.

For Emma, it was vital that children’s mental health and wellbeing is also being looked after so Scotstoun will introduce Wellbeing Wednesdays.

She said: “This will be an opportunity to work offline, allowing them to work through a series of activities, beginning with healthy eating and sleep patterns leading up to activities such as making soup as a family.

"We really want our whole school to have the opportunity to come offline and do a different type of learning.”

Knightswood Primary return to school Picture: Robert Perry

Both Emma and Jonathan were adamant that, despite all the challenges in place, having the first tranche of pupils back in school yesterday was a positive step.

Emma said: “We have a school with three floors and we have had very few pupils here so it’s nice to have that bustle and buzz again.”

Jonathan added: “It’s been quite eerie to be in a school with three classes when we normally have 21 classes.

“It has been wonderful to walk down corridors and hear children speak and giggle.”