UPDATE FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS 10TH MAY 2020
Primarily I hope you are all taking steps to remain safe and well within the continued restrictions.
We would be in the full throws of our summer term by now with the exams progressing alongside internal assessments in school, work placements, P7 transition activities, moving pupils into a positive next step beyond school, completing the timetable, getting new classes set and preparing for our evening of celebration….not to mention the matters behind the scenes. Sadly we’re not there and we are focussed on the priority echoed today by the First Minister to follow guidance in order to hopefully get to a place of relief in time to come.
My thanks and gratitude to all who are contributing to the learning of our young people. Those influencing learning at home stretch far and wide across my Teaching Staff, Family members and the varied online platforms / streams available. Your positive and calm influence to balance learning with mental and physical well being is crucial and will have an impact beyond the pandemic.
As ever we continue to keep a close eye on both Scotland and UK updates and will react and plan as they arise, keeping you informed. Please see latest updates below;
Moving to new learning
As of next week commencing 11th May our Faculties / Departments / Subjects will ‘begin’ to move into new learning. In simple terms we are beginning to take a ‘step by step’ move into the next school year.
This is a challenging time for schools when we are in the building; made more testing when we are not. There is an initial emphasis on new S4 S5 S6 learning based on the nature of assessment attached to these courses. We will also be moving S2 into S3 and S1 into S2.
Mr Stewart our timetabler has done great work to be able to plan a timetable for us to work with. Pupils should check their school email accounts for updates as a priority during next week.
Teachers will be in touch with ‘new classes’ (via pupil school email / Microsoft teams or other platforms) and it will be important for pupils to be ready to engage in the introductory work / tasks that they are provided. If there are problems / questions please email admin@leith.edin.sch.uk to let us know the support you or your child needs and we will do what we can to help.
This will not be an overnight move, but over the course of next week and through May you will start to see things progressing.
SQA
As staff teams we are working across challenging circumstances to discuss / moderate / plan and professionally judge the levels we will put forward for our youngsters. SQA continue to provide training and advice to all to help make the new process as clear and understandable for all involved. Please ensure your child has signed up to MySQA in order to receive results through their method of choice.
There are many other aspects my staff and teams are working on but these areas are dominating our thinking at present alongside P7 transition which was mentioned in my previous post.
I hope the weekend was pleasant. Our website continues to offer support beyond school work in areas such as mental health / activities which you may find useful.
Take care,
Mike Irving
Head Teacher
