All Anglesey schools will remain open on Monday (March 23rd) in order to provide care to those children most in need during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The UK and Welsh Governments have asked parents/carers to keep their children at home, wherever possible. However, local schools will still provide care for those children who absolutely need to attend.
These will include children who are vulnerable, those eligible for free school meals and children whose parents are critical to the local COVID-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.
Anglesey Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi, said, “Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. The fewer children who go to school, the lower the risk that this virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals across the Island. However, we remain committed to ensuring that schools and other educational establishments remain safe places for children during this ongoing crisis.”
“We are grateful for the work of teachers and staff in schools across the Island as they continue to provide care for the children of the other local critical workers and those children in most need. This is an essential part of our local effort to combat this disease.”
The new care arrangements now in place are based on the most recent advice from UK and Welsh Governments. They will be carefully monitored and are likely to be adapted as circumstances develop.
Anglesey’s Director of Education, Skills and Young People, Rhys Howard Hughes, added, “I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all school staff on Anglesey. They have worked tirelessly to help put these new arrangements in place during difficult times and have thought and acted on behalf of others.”
“I would also like to thank parents for their support and understanding. I realise that you have all experienced times of significant anxiety and concern in recent days and weeks. I fully appreciate this and I am extremely grateful to you for your patience as matters are clarified.”
The key principles to be followed are:
- Parents should not rely on childcare from individuals in the recognised vulnerable groups (such as grandparents).
- Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
Updates about Council services during the Coronavirus outbreak can be found on our website www.anglesey.gov.uk/coronavirus
End 20.3.20