Abrupt return could and confusion, head Result in chaos teachers fear
PLANS to bring all pupils back to school before Easter have met with a mixed response from head teachers.
Being left with just eight days to prepare for the change of plan risks return to school “descending into chaotic scenes”, the Association of School and College Leaders warned yesterday.
One head teacher said the proposals were badly communicated and showed a lack of regard for school planning, although he wanted to see pupils back.
Previously, ministers had emphasised it would be exam years only (Years 11 and 13) returning in secondary schools, along with older primary pupils, from March 15.
Those sitting exams in Years 10 and 12 are also due back by March 15, but “in a flexible way”.
Children aged three to seven started to return from February 22.
Now those in Years 7 to 9 will also return for “check-ins” the Welsh Government announced yesterday.
Some heads said it appeared there had been a sudden U-turn based on Scotland announcing its plans on Monday.
All were surprised, whether supportive or not, that the Welsh Government announced that all year groups can return from March 15.
Eithne Hughes, director of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The principle of bringing back children in Years 7 to 9 for a few hours to check that they are well both physically and mentally and looking forward to returning to school after the Easter holiday is a great one. What isn’t so great is the idea that they should do so along with hundreds of other older pupils on the same day, adding more strain to an already strained system.
“Parents with youngsters in Years 7 to 9 will also be left pondering the practicalities for March 15, not knowing whether their child has to be in school for just a few hours or half a day, with all the associated logistical issues around getting them there and
back home again.
“For those in rural areas without reliable and regular public transport this could cause a major issue in itself.
“In comparison to colleagues elsewhere in the UK, teachers across Wales have been given the opportunity to plan for the return of their pupils.
“Well-meant as these catch-up sessions are, the announcement today will take teachers completely by surprise and, with just eight days to prepare, we risk a previously well-planned and communicated return to school descending into chaotic scenes come March 15.”
The sentiments were echoed by head teacher Stephen Garthwaite, who said the plan was “confused”.
“Whilst I look forward to welcoming all pupils back to school as soon as possible, I am disappointed that head teachers have only found out about the potential return of Years 7-9 on March 15 through media/news/social media channels early this morning; that is, before Welsh Government published the official operational guidance at 9am today,” he said.
“There was no prior warning of this development, and this represents poor communication from Welsh Government and a disregard of the logistical implications for schools.
“Parents, pupils and staff may well be confused by the statement, which contradicts the initial Welsh Government focus on exam year groups only before Easter.
“The decision to invite younger learners into schools before Easter seems to be a government U-turn inspired by Scotland’s decision yesterday and England’s decision some time ago.”
Mr Garthwaite, who is head teacher of Ysgol y Grango in Wrexham, added: “I have read the full operational guidance and the details about the Years 7 to 9 wellbeing days are vague to say the least. There is little detail as to what these days/sessions entail.
“We are meeting as a group of heads in Wrexham later this morning to discuss how we will implement the wider reopening of schools.”
Neil Butler, Nasuwt national official for Wales, said schools must now ensure that there is strict social distancing for staff and learners.
“Teachers are having to juggle faceto-face teaching with distance learning. This change is unnecessary and may cause enormous difficulties in schools. It will bring added pressure they can do without as they struggle to
maintain a safe working environment,” he added.
But Armando Di-Finizio, head teacher of Cardiff’s Eastern High, welcomed the news.
He said: “I’m really pleased with the announcement by Welsh Government today. It gives us the opportunity to focus on those in exam year groups and to prepare the whole school for a summer term that has to be centred on repairing, refocusing and rebuilding.
“It’s good also to see a reinforcement of the message that ‘there is no evidence to suggest widespread transmission in schools and colleges. Transmission in schools reflects the levels of transmission in the community.’ This has been our experience throughout this sad episode in our lives; schools have always been safe places.”
And Hugo Hutchison, head teacher of Monmouth Comprehensive School, said he was “delighted” to be able to be permitted to have all students back in before Easter.
“Whilst some of them will return part-time at first, there is a significant
benefit to learning and wellbeing for them. Our staff also cannot wait to be back in the classroom. Although there is little time to plan, we have learnt to be agile and to respond quickly to challenging events,” he said.
Laura Doel, director of school leaders’ teaching union NAHT Cymru, said: “We are surprised by the proposed acceleration before the hard data exists to support it.
“We have not had a full return of foundation phase across Wales yet, and what we don’t want is to see schools having to close again because we have brought in too many learners too quickly. The public will not forgive a third lockdown.
“The profession stands ready to play its part but the government needs to provide a compelling narrative to reassure parents, carers and communities that their decisions are guided by the emerging science.”
Andrew RT Davies, the Welsh Conservatives’ leader in the Senedd, described the decision as a “U-turn”.
He tweeted: “Last week when @ WelshConserv suggested using any headroom to get more pupils into school, Labour said it was unsafe and not following the science.
“Pleased to see this has quickly changed in this U-turn from the Welsh Government. It’s now time for a long-term roadmap for Wales.”