Q&A with Deputy First Minister John Swinney: Further Information and Resources for Parents and Carers

Thank you for watching our online Q&A with Deputy First Minister John Swinney about education during Covid-19, the return to school in August, and blended learning. We are pleased so many parents took time to get involved in the session. We hope that the Q&A answered many of your questions.

For those unable to attend the session live or who would like to watch again, you can watch the Q&A in full on the NPFS YouTube channel here. There will also be the option to add subtitles on the recorded YouTube video.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions; we received vast numbers from parents across Scotland. These will be available to view on our website in due course, together with the additional questions and statements raised within the Q&A.

We read and collated all of your questions but, unfortunately, it was simply not possible to ask them all. We therefore posed questions that aimed to reflect the wide range of the questions we received. If you are looking for more information, we hope the links to the information below are helpful. If these resources do not answer your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on office@npfs.org.uk, where we will try to answer your question or pass this on to someone who can help.

Resources:

• NPFS Parent Guide to Curriculum for Excellence in the Recovery Phase: This guide provides information about the curriculum when children return to school with the blended learning model on the 11^thAugust 2020.

• NPFS Learning at Home in Term 4 Parent Guidance:This guide provides information for parents about learning at home before the summer holidays, with useful links and resources for further support.

• NPFS Learning at Home in a Nutshell:This Nutshell give you some hints and tips for supporting learning at home, and links to organisations that offer advice and support for looking after your family’s well-being.

• NPFS Securing your Devices Nutshell: This help sheet gives you some points to think about and links to organisations that offer practical step-by-step advice.

• NPFS Online Safety Nutshell:We’re living more of our life online. This Nutshell gives you information and advice about online behaviour and helping to keep your child safe.

• gov.scot: For the latest COVID-19 advice and guidance from the Scottish Government covering a range of topics including specific guidance on schools, education and children and young people.

• Parent Club Scotland:is a digital information hub offering practical advice and support for the challenges facing parents and carers at this time including mental health advice, tips for play and learning at home, eating well and keeping active as well more information about the changes to coronavirus restrictions, the re-opening of schools, and FAQs.

• Enquire: For information and support about Additional Support for Learning during Coronavirus

• SQA: Information about changes to the 2020 Examinations and Qualifications and

• Parentzone: Information and support about learning at home