A Douglas high school has again been forced to ask some of its students to work from home again next week.
On-going staff absences because of Covid-19 have forced Ballakermeen to ask year nine students to stay home on Monday and year 12 students to do likewise on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The move comes after year 10 students at the school were asked to stay home yesterday, Thursday, and year nine pupils today, Friday.
St Ninian’s year nine students were also asked to stay at home today for similar reasons.
Writing to parents of year 12 students, Ballakermeen head Adrienne Burnett said: ’We have ended the week with 30 members of staff absent and we know that at least 15 teachers will be absent on Monday.
’As you can appreciate, this is putting unsustainable pressure on the school. The staffing is an ever-shifting picture and it is very difficult to pre-empt what might happen, or what each day will bring.
’We have a real paucity of supply teachers to call upon, which is further limiting our options.
’Students will be provided with online materials by their teachers via subject specific Google Classrooms. Please be aware, staff will not be expected to record voice overs, nor provide overtly detailed instructions, as they will be teaching the students who are in school.
’Some Year 12 students have assessments taking place and they have been informed by their teachers that they will need to attend school to complete these. (Art, Music, LIBF and BTEC Sport).
’Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly and I thank you in advance for your understanding and support. We sincerely hope that we will be in a position to teach all students, face to face, in the very near future.’