Teachers in Scotland were, in theory, able to return to work in school from Monday 1 June.

However, this was a notional return date: in practice, very few teachers were actually in school on that day, and some may not be back in school until all pupils return from 11 August.

So when will teachers in Scotland be expected back at school? On 1 June, we asked all 32 local authorities that question, and below are the replies received so far.

It appears that 15 June is the target date for a number of local authorities, but Tes Scotland will update this article through the week as more replies come in.

Coronavirus: When are teachers expected back in school in Scotland?

Aberdeen

A spokesman said on Monday 1 June that there was no expectation that teachers would be in school on that day and staff would only return “once risk assessments are completed”. He added that after assessments were completed, “only those who are able to return to school buildings” will be expected to come back.

Aberdeenshire

No dates were given on Monday 1 June - with plans due to emerge in “the coming week”, the council said. But Laurence Findlay, director of education and children’s services for Aberdeenshire Council, said headteachers would “guide staff on appropriate arrangements for their settings”.

He also said on the 1 June that “today is not about suddenly rushing back into classrooms”, and added: “During the next few weeks, subject to risk assessments and appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures being in place, staff will be welcomed back to begin to prepare for the return to school in August.”

Angus

By Wednesday 10 June, “some staff will be allowed into our schools in order to do essential work in preparation for August”. A spokesperson said: “Until then the only staff in our schools are the ones providing childcare support in our hubs or who are undertaking essential work that cannot be done from home.”

Argyll and Bute

Teachers will return to school buildings from Monday 15 June.

Clackmannanshire

The council would only say on Monday 1 June that it is “currently developing our local phasing plan in line with the latest Scottish government guidance”.

Dumfries and Galloway

On Tuesday 2 June, a spokesperson said: “The majority of staff will access our school buildings at some point during June, following the completion of a local risk assessment process.”

Dundee

No reply.

East Ayrshire

Linda McAulay-Griffiths, head of education, said there would be “some limited pupil and staff access in June”, but, on Monday 1 June, the council could not yet reveal details.

East Dunbartonshire

The council does not anticipate all staff being back working in school until August.

East Lothian

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said that school buildings would be available from Monday 8 June but “there will be no expectation that all staff will be in schools all day every day from 8 June”.

She added: “Our teaching and support staff will be able to access the building from 8 June, primarily to support emergency childcare and to prepare for the new session.”

East Renfrewshire

The local authority revealed at the weekend before Monday 1 June that some nursery children and P7 pupils will return to school on a rota basis from 15 June. Tes Scotland has asked for details of when staff will return.

Edinburgh

The council said on Monday 1 June that it was still “at the planning stage”.

Eilean Siar (Western Isles)

Staff will begin returning to school from Monday 8 June.

Falkirk

A spokesperson said on Tuesday 2 June that the council could not yet provide this information.

Fife

Carrie Lindsay, director of education and children’s services, said that only those providing the council’s critical childcare would be expected in work on Monday 1 June. She said more information on school reopening would be available next week and that headteachers would let their staff know when they were expected to return to school. “This may be done on a phased basis in some schools,” she added. She also said that all staff would have to complete a mandatory induction “to make sure that everyone is familiar with all the changes in building layout, structure of the day, hygiene procedures and such like, before they enter the building”.  

Glasgow

Advice sent to headteachers by education director Maureen McKenna stated that senior school staff would be in during the week of 1 June “for planning and preparation”, but there was no expectation they would be in five days a week. As of the week beginning 8 June, the council is advising small groups of staff to go into schools and nurseries at different times, but again not for the whole week. Childcare hubs will also cease working next week, with the pupils attending these being looked after in their own nurseries and schools. Teachers and support staff will be “part of a rota to supervise”, and Ms McKenna said that the expectation was that “almost all staff” would be part of the rota. 

Highland

A spokesperson said: “We are working to have all teachers back to educational settings on 11 August. In the meantime, teaching staff will be preparing classroom settings, with support from other council services, during June, for pupils to return in August. Arrangements will vary locally due to the large number of schools and geographical spread across Highland.”

Inverclyde

All teachers who are able to return are expected to be back in school “to some extent” from 15 June. “Over the next two weeks we are encouraging staff to begin to return to work and enter school buildings,” a council spokesperson said on Monday 1 June.

Midlothian

Staff will return to school “on a rota basis week beginning 15 June” in order to “prepare learning environments and plan learning activities”, states a letter to staff. In week beginning 22 June, each new P1 and current P7 will be given a time slot in school to meet teachers and participate in transition activities. There will also be special arrangements made to support the transition of children with additional support needs that week.

Moray

“Teachers will be in school between now and 2 July to prepare for an August return,” a spokesperson said, on Friday 5 June. It will be August before all teachers are back.

North Ayrshire

No specific date for the return of staff as yet (Monday 1 June) as health and safety checks and risk assessments are being carried out. 

North Lanarkshire

Senior management returned on Monday 1 June, and other school staff will return from Monday 8 June.

Orkney Islands

The council replied on Monday 1 June to say it was dealing with Tes Scotland‘s inquiry under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, and said it “will be in touch within 20 working days”. On Tuesaday 2 June, it said: “We are planning for teachers to return at some point in June although this is subject to risk assessment.”

Perth and Kinross

Replied on Tuesday 2 June. There was “no expectation that staff should return to their schools from Monday [1 June]”. Details of teachers’ return to school will follow consultation and “appropriate risk assessments”. There will be “no requirement to work exclusively in school in June”.

Renfrewshire

Dates to be confirmed, but a council spokesperson said on Monday 1 June that “we expect staff who are able to come in (not shielding) to do so during June”. No school staff had returned on 1 June.

Scottish Borders

All teaching staff return for 11 August, but a spokesperson said that “some staff will be in schools on or around 11 June to support pupil transitions, school leavers and preparations for reopening on 11 August”.

​​​​​​​Shetland Islands

A spokesperson said: “We are working towards staff returning by Monday 15 June, providing the appropriate risk assessments and other safety measures are in place in each setting.”

South Ayrshire

The council said: “At present, we think senior leadership teams may be back from the 8 June and all other staff may be back week beginning 15 June for planning and preparation.”

South Lanarkshire

Executive director of education resources Tony McDaid, said: “This week sees the first of our phased return for staff with a small number of senior management teams in school.

“During the week beginning 8 June, staff are returning, where appropriate,  on phased basis on a rota system to support the re-start in August.”

Stirling

The council said it could not provide a response.

West Dunbartonshire

Headteachers and senior leadership teams will return to schools on Wednesday and teachers from Monday 8 June.

West Lothian

Teachers were able to return to schools from Monday 1 June, but a spokesperson said: “This is down to the headteacher’s discretion.”

*This article will be updated as more local authorities reply this week.