Learning and Childcare Information CV ARCHIVE2

Inspectors carry out successful Covid recovery visit at Alloa Academy

Created: 05/04/22

Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education (HM Inspectors) have recently undertaken a Recovery Visit at Alloa Academy, Clackmannanshire.

The visit was a "self -selected visit" by the school and Clackmannanshire Council and was carried out by HM Inspectors in partnership with the Council's education officers. The aim of the visit was to learn from education establishments about what has worked well during the Pandemic and the challenges they have faced and was the first visit of its kind in Scotland. 

HM Inspectors listened to the views of  Alloa Academy learners, staff, partners and parents/carers about their current priorities and how the school has responded to the impact of the pandemic. The HM Inspectors focussed on the following three areas:

• continuity of learning;
• wellbeing of children, young people and staff; and
• safeguarding and Child Protection.

The feedback from the visit was very positive and highlighted strong relationships  and a positive ethos alongside a wide range of supportive approaches that are helping young people to succeed in their learning and meet important wellbeing needs. The feedback endorsed and encouraged many of the the ongoing strategies that support the wellbeing needs of the learners, staff and families of Alloa Academy.

During the visit it was highlighted that the learners within the Faculty of Extended Additional Support Needs (EASN) enjoyed learning in a safe and secure environment. Support for all learners with Additional Support needs was praised as a school strength and priority.  

Alloa Academy headteacher Colin Bruce said:

"The staff, parents, carers and partners in Alloa Academy really respond to the needs of the learners and the needs within the local community.

"It was really pleasing to have everyone's hard work recognised. There have been many supportive approaches and partnerships that have been developed throughout the pandemic period. We will continue to embrace digital approaches, improved opportunities for working with families and retain a relentless focus on the wellbeing of our learners and staff." 

Lorraine Sanda, Clackmannshire Council's Strategic Director of People, said:

"I am proud of how my Clackmannshire colleagues and partners support our learners and families.

"Our Clackmannanshire schools continue to go above and beyond to develop approaches to support our community in innovative ways.   Alloa Academy put the needs of the young people and their families at the heart of their work and I'm pleased that the HM Inspectors team were able to see first hand the nurturing and supportive ways of working we have in Clackmannanshire."  

Following the visit, the school have started to use the feedback and continue to ensure learners are supported to be successful. 
 

SQA update

Created: 11/2/22

The SQA has issued an update regarding this year’s National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications.

The plan is for the SQA exam diet to go ahead from Tuesday 26th April until Wednesday 1st June. The SQA has announced that they will provide exam revision support for learners preparing for exams. They have also given details of the ‘Exam Exceptional Circumstances Service’ and the ‘Appeals Service’ for qualifications this session. 

Please refer to letters from the Chief Education Officer to parents/carers and learners on the update.

Vaccination information for children and young people

Created: 6/1/22

The latest JCVI advice on vaccination for children and young people, which the Scottish Government has decided to follow in agreement with Governments across the UK, is in summary:

• all adults aged 18+ are now eligible for a booster vaccine, in addition to their first two doses
• all 16 and 17 year-olds are eligible for two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They should also be offered a normal booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine no sooner than 3 months after completion of their primary course
• all 12-15 year olds are eligible for two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. This offer comes in addition to the 12 to 15-year-olds with underlying health conditions who were already eligible for a second dose
• children and young people aged 12 to 15 who are in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed should also be offered a normal booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine no sooner than 3 months after completion of their primary course
• children and young people aged 12 to 15 years who are severely immunosuppressed and who have had a third primary dose should also be offered a normal booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine no sooner than 3 months after completion of their primary course. Appointments are not available for this group at the time of writing. More details will be available soon about when these children will be offered a vaccine – these will be published on NHS Inform.
• children aged 5-11 years in a clinical risk group, or who are household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed, should be offered two 10 micrograms doses of Pfizer with an interval of 8 weeks
• children and young people aged 12 to 17 who have a positive PCR test result must wait a minimum of 12 weeks post the date of the positive test before receiving any vaccine dose, unless a clinician recommends otherwise

In response to rising cases of the new Omicron variant, the Scottish Government announced an acceleration of the vaccination programme with a focus on COVID boosters. Read the latest information on eligibility and access to appointments and drop-in vaccination on NHS Inform.

Information is available on NHS Inform along with access to the self-registration portal. Public Health Scotland has produced an information leaflet for 16-17 year-olds and materials for 12-15 year-olds are also available.

See a list of drop in clinics across mainland health boards with 12 to 17 year olds eligible to attend those offering Pfizer.

Those without online access can call the National Helpline on 0800 030 8013.