All pupils will attend school ‘at least three times before end of term’

abbie.wightwick@walesonline.co.uk

ALL pupils are expected to have the opportunity to attend school at least three times before the end of term when they reopen on June 29, the Welsh Government said yesterday.

However, it will be more of a checkin than catching up on work missed and social distancing will not be possible at all times in primary schools, the document admits.

Pupils face being taught in small groups, spending more lesson time outside and eating their lunch at their desks.

But as the latest guidance was published, one teaching union called on the Welsh Government to rethink its plans, insisting it is too early to reopen schools.

On social distancing, the guidance admits: “In primary schools, we recognise that it is not practicable to expect learners to maintain consistent social distancing of two metres.

“Staff should, however, seek to ensure some distancing between learners. Practitioners should recognise that younger learners will not be able to maintain social distancing at all times.”

No more than a third of pupils are expected in school at one time.

“It is our expectation that in most schools pupils would have the opportunity to attend school on three occasions before the summer holidays, however in some schools it may be more,” the report reads.

The guidance for schools is divided into two sections – how to operate in the pandemic and learning.

As headteachers have previously said it advises “bubbles” of around eight pupils spending the time they are in school together, staggered break, arrival and departure times and strict hygiene guidelines, including regular cleaning and hand washing and PPE for staff when needed.

Mental, emotional and physical well-being of pupils should be the priority when schools do reopen in Wales on June 29, the document states.

On health and safety, the report lays out guidance on matters including PPE, school transport, cleaning, and says no-one should attend if they or someone they live with are showing identified Covid-19 symptoms, have tested positive to Covid-19 in the past 14 days or are in a vulnerable category and have had a shielding letter.

On learning, the guidance says “blended” home and school learning will continue into next term and pupils should be prepared for that.

Schools should begin to widen learning and teaching when they return, but teacher-pupil relationships will need to be re-established.

“After many weeks without face-toface peer interaction, being allowed into school, but made to remain two metres away from friends could be difficult and upsetting for many learners,” the guidance advises.

Teachers should also not attempt to “cover” or “catch up” on all they would have done in the time schools have been closed.

They will not be expected to do key stage assessments or gather data about outcomes of such assessments.

Instead they should “focus on supporting each individual learner to take their learning forward while continuing to work in an unfamiliar context”.

But the guidance adds: “In addition to the emphasis on well-being, schools should as appropriate begin to widen learning and teaching.

“This should include supporting transition so that as far as possible learners are ready for the next academic year.”

Publishing the guidance Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “We know that such a long period away from school, friends and the classroom will have a detrimental impact on the well-being and learning of many young people. That is why we have taken the decision that the majority of learners will be able to check in, catch up, and prepare for the summer and September.

“Striking a balance between providing national public health guidance and enabling local flexibility has been