EDUCATION chief Carrie Lindsay has reassured parents over measures being taken to keep their children safe when schools re-open next week.

Pupils will be welcomed back next week and Fife Council’s executive director for education and children’s services has sent a letter to pupils, parents and carers ahead of the long-awaited return.

Ms Lindsay said: "We know that you or your children might have some anxieties about returning to school, this is normal after such a period of time away from school.

"We have followed the Scottish Government’s guidance and the advice from our colleagues in public health to make sure our schools are safe for our children and our staff.

"The advice from the COVID-19 Advisory Sub Group on Education and Children’s Issues is that children and young people of any age attending school don’t need a strict 2m distance.

"As an extra precaution, we'll be encouraging our older secondary school pupils to keep a distance between themselves and others where possible.

"We want you and your children to feel safe and reassured about coming back to school.

"Our staff will be spending time helping them settle, helping them talk about how they have felt through lockdown and how they feel now.

"Our staff have all been given advice on the procedures they must follow if anyone becomes sick in school. We need you to be equally aware at home.

"Make sure you are familiar with the different symptoms of Covid-19.

"If you suspect anyone in your family might have Covid-19 or is showing symptoms, you need to book a test as soon as possible and everyone in the household should quarantine at home for 14 days, 10 days from the start of symptoms for anyone who has tested positive.

"Further advice can be found at: www.coronavirus.nhsfife.org."

Ms Lindsay continued: "Despite all the extra precautions we are taking in schools there is a possibility that at any given time the situation could change, the Covid-19 numbers in our communities could rise and we may be looking at local lockdowns.

"We need everyone to work together and follow the health advice, to help keep our communities healthy and our schools open.

"We have planned for this possibility and we have contingency plans ready to continue with a blended learning approach if any of our schools had to close.

"Enjoy these last few days of the school holiday and take time to remind your child of the new measures in place for cleanliness and hygiene which we sent you last week.

"Your own local school will be in touch with individual details about your child’s return to school, before Wednesday, August 12.

"Stay safe."