Support hubs are being put in place across Clydebank as primary and secondary schools stop teaching for the foreseeable future.

Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced all schools across Scotland were to close, and warned may not re-open before the summer holidays.

But, in Clydebank, a total of seven school buildings will be used as support hubs from Wednesday, March 25.

This is to support children whose parents – or primary carers – are employed in key worker roles, such as the NHS or emergency services.

The support hubs are also in place to ensure that children will not go hungry.

Packed lunches will be available to pick up daily for all eligible two year-olds and entitled three and four year-olds in receipt of 1,140 hours of childcare – including children at private partner provider nurseries, all P1-3 pupils, and all P4-S6 pupils entitled to free school meals.

West Dunbartonshire Council said they have been planning for this over a number of weeks.

A spokeswoman added: “We have been working closely with our head teachers to ensure learning can continue.

“We have developed a range of online resources for pupils, including Google Classroom, with devices provided where needed. Schools have also developed learning packs.

“Our planning has also taken into consideration the fact that so many in our community rely on our education facilities for more than learning, including our most vulnerable families.”

Read more: Community groups invited to partner with council to support most vulnerable

Learning and activity packs, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary resources and emergency supplies of baby food and nappies will also be available for collection from the hubs.

To minimise the risk of infection, limited family members should visit the hubs, and P1-7 children must be accompanied by an adult.

Nobody should visit if they, or immediate family members, are self-isolating or showing any signs of illness.

Clydebank’s MP, Gil Paterson, told the Post: “Closing the schools is a crucial tactic we can deploy to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“I am pleased to see measures in place that allow key workers to remain at their posts, while their children are looked after at public facilities.

“It’s especially important to ensure the children of those who are in the emergency services and health service are looked after during this time – while they are literally out saving lives.

“On behalf of my constituents, I truly thank these key workers for continuing their duties like true public servants amid this crisis.

“With efforts like these from frontline workers, and adherence to the wider guidelines by members of the public, we can hopefully get back to our normal lives sooner rather than later.”

Senior students will be maintaining contact with staff via Google Classroom to complete their coursework, despite all SQA exams being cancelled for the first time since the system was put in place in 1888.

Martin Docherty-Hughes, Clydebank’s MP, added: “The unprecedented decision to close schools has not been taken lightly, but it’s the right thing to do, based on expert scientific advice to protect public health.

“These are challenging times for many families and I welcome the council’s efforts to set up support hubs to ensure vulnerable children have access to meals and other resources."