Following the Welsh Government’s announcement in the early hours of this morning, that schools in Wales will remain closed until at least the 29th January, the Local Authority has released the statement which follows.   

-Statement Starts- 

MINISTER’S SCHOOLS ANNOUNCEMENT WELCOMED

Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes the announcement that remote learning will continue until at least Friday, January 29th.

The Welsh Government has brought the decision on schools into line with the three-weekly review of the Alert Levels.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams announced last night that unless there is a significant reduction in Covid-19 transmission before January 29th, remote learning would continue until the next review date, which coincides with the February half-term.

Vulnerable children and children of key workers will still have access to their usual school.

Pembrokeshire County Council Director for Education Steven Richards-Downes, said: “This announcement provides more clarity on the immediate future to learners, parents, carers and our dedicated school staff.

All schools in Pembrokeshire are already planning and delivering blended learning to their learners, and this now includes developing live streaming of lessons where possible.

Schools have introduced a County wide model policy for live streaming – acceptable use to parents.

Schools have been training staff in the use of a number of platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom, including training and support for both synchronous and asynchronous activity as this supports families in being able to meet the needs of learners at home.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, added: “Once again I thank all learners, parents, carers and school staff for the way they have embraced remote learning, and we continue to look forward to the time when face-to-face learning can resume.”

For the latest advice and press releases relating to coronavirus, please view: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

For press queries, please email: presspublicrelations@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

WRITTEN STATEMENT

BY

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT

The situation in Wales and across the UK remains very serious. Today, the four UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed that the UK is now at the highest level of risk, Joint Biosecurity Council level 5.

In the light of that decision the Welsh Government, in consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru, has agreed that all schools, colleges and independent schools should move to online learning until January 18^th.

As a government we will use the next two weeks to continue to work with local authorities, schools and colleges to plan for the rest of term.

This is the best way to ensure that parents, staff and learners can be confident in the return to face to face learning, based on the latest evidence and information.

Schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments. On this basis Special Schools and PRU’s should remain open if possible.

We had initially given schools flexibility in the first two weeks of term to decide when to reopen based on local circumstances.

But it is now clear that a national approach of online learning for the first fortnight of term is the best way forward.

We know that schools and colleges have been safe and secure environments throughout the pandemic.

However, we also know that education settings being open can contribute to wider social mixing outside the school and college environment.

We are confident that schools and colleges have online learning provision in place for this immediate period.

Universities in Wales have already agreed a staggered start to term. Students should not return to universities for face to face learning until they are notified that they can do so.

Wales remains in the highest level of restrictions. Everyone must stay at home.

I will continue to update members.