August school return plans are abandoned, says union
PLANS for pupils to return to school in August have been abandoned by the Welsh Government, according to a teaching union.
However, there could yet be a change to term times, as options for emerging from the coronavirus schools shutdown are considered.
It follows the announcement of a return to schools in England from today, and in Scotland from August 11.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he wants Year 6 pupils and those with exams next year to go back to school before the summer holidays.
Education Minister
Kirsty Williams said on Friday the situation with schooling had not yet changed, and would not over the weekend.
However, the secretary of the National Education Union Cymru said following discussions with Ms Williams, as well as scientists and other educational workers, any plan to truncate the summer term and start school holidays in June, and reopen schools in August, would not be happening.
In a statement, NEUC Wales secretary David Evans said the decision to reopen schools would be dependent upon scientific and medical advice, and three options were being considered.
The first was to stick with current term times and reopen schools in September; the second to consider reopening on either June the 22 or 29, with a decision to be taken on which year groups, and the phased return of pupils.
The third option was to end summer term early around June 19, with a six-week summer break and a return to school on August 3.
The autumn term would then be stretched to last 20 weeks, with a half-term week, to allow pupils to have regular week-long breaks.
Mr Evans said education unions had issued a joint statement to the Welsh Government with concerns over the proposal.
He added: “At the start of the meeting on Friday, and as a result of our concerns, Kirsty Williams confirmed that the option for schools to open in August was being abandoned.
“She does, however, wish to explore the possibility of schools reopening before the end of term and also suggested today that the summer term may be extended for a week with autumn half-term then being extended to two weeks rather than one.
“She is also considering including ‘preparation weeks’ during the autumn term which would occur every three weeks and mean that pupils would not be present in school”.
The union said it would want any return to school to be subject to a list of conditions, including the availability of PPE and evidence the virus was under control, as well as rigorous cleaning systems in schools.
It also wants a proven physical distancing system in place.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “As the Education Minister confirmed yesterday, the situation for education in Wales has not changed.
“The Welsh Government is working closely with unions, local authorities, scientists and education staff to decide on the next steps for education in Wales and the Minister intends to update
further next week.”