Dounby School to reopen in full

Dounby School will reopen to all classes from tomorrow, Wednesday.

Although there remains a challenge in terms of COVID-19 and other sickness absence among staffing at the school, Orkney Islands Council (OIC) say it is possible for a full reopening thanks to the availability and willingness of supply teachers to assist.

There are 55 positive cases of COVID among pupils at the school, but the numbers are believed to have peaked now according to Public Health, who have been monitoring the situation alongside the council’s Education Service, Environmental Health. and Safety and Resilience Teams.

Daily meetings with the school’s head teacher, Miss Islean Gibson, will continue and parents will be updated if there are further developments.

However, the council say that it is important to stress the need for vigilance and enhanced mitigating measures will be in place at the school – COVID leaflets will be issued to parents as a reminder of what everyone can do to keep as safe as possible.

Miss Gibson said: “Whilst we are now trying to get back to a normal provision, it is so important that we continue to be vigilant and follow the national guidance. I actively encourage families to continue to take twice weekly lateral flow tests and ensure children only bring in from home the PE kit for the week – all other personal belongings stay at home.

“We will be continuing to provide our PE lessons outdoors for a further 2 weeks and our woodwind instrumental lessons will also still be on hold. We now need to help each other by continuing our good hygiene, safe distancing and supporting everyone as we try to get things on the go again.”

OIC are also asking people to please continue carrying out lateral flow tests and report the result, whether positive, negative or void here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/…/coronavirus-covid-19…