Anglesey Council will work in partnership with teachers, parents and children to ensure that its schools open safely.
Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, yesterday (Wednesday, June 3rd) announced details of the next phase for schools in Wales, providing opportunities to “Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September”.
This includes proposals that:
- all schools will start the next phase on 29 June, with the term extended by a week, therefore ending on 27 July
- the next academic year will start in September, the intention is that the autumn half-term break will be expanded to two weeks
- each school there will be a phased approach and it is expected that this will mean, at most, a third of pupils present at any one time
In response, Anglesey’s Director of Education, Skills and Young People, Rhys Hughes, said: “Following yesterday’s announcement from the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, we will continue to work with schools on the best way forward for Anglesey, its children and communities.
“We will give detailed consideration to a number of important issues over the coming weeks as we try to restore some semblance of normality to our schools before the end of the summer term. However, the health and safety of our children and staff must always come first.”
“Moving forward we are well aware that each of our schools faces different needs and challenges; and we must also respect the wishes of parents.”
He added, “During these unprecedented times, we’ve seen fantastic co-operation between all schools and the County Council’s Education Service, which has already seen us overcome several significant hurdles.
“We’ve been working as one team and I’m certain we’ll see the co-operation which has served Anglesey and its children well so far continue. We will be holding further discussions with members of the Secondary and Primary Strategic Forums and hope to be in a position to provide our schools with further guidance next week.”
Anglesey schools have remained open, since March, in order to provide care to those children most in need during the Coronavirus outbreak. This has included providing care during holiday periods and over weekends for children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the local COVID-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.
“Education, Skills and Young People portfolio holder, Councillor Meirion Jones, said, "Reopening our schools as a learning environment once again will pose numerous challenges. We will need to look at managing facilities and logistical arrangements, including use of buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.”
“Our priority will be to ensure the safety of all returning to Anglesey schools and provide peace of mind for staff, parents and families. I'm certain that the hard work and commitment already shown by our head teachers, teachers and school staff will also allow us to rise to these new challenges."
"The level of support and co-operation between schools and the Council over recent months really has been incredible to see. I'm sincerely grateful to all involved."
The Welsh Government will publish guidance to support schools, as well as further and higher education institutions next week. Further information can be found here: https://gov.wales/check-catch-prepare-summer-and-september-all-schools-wales-enter-next-phase
Ends 4.6.20
For further information: Gethin Jones, Communication Unit (01248) 752130