Schools seem unlikely to Close early despite latest variant

SECONDARY school pupils have been asked to wear masks in lessons again and the Health Minister has warned “we face uncertainty about a new variant of coronavirus just before Christmas” – so might schools shut early and return to remote learning?

With less than three weeks before term ends, Public Health Wales data shows cases in schools and colleges are falling, but the new Covid Omicron variant has raised fears about infecting loved ones during festive gatherings.

In practice, the decision about whether to shut schools and return to remote learning lies with councils.

Although the Welsh Government could, in theory, veto early school closures, it would have to do this by stepping in to remove a local education authority’s powers, as it does when they are put in special measures.

That is a last resort and highly unlikely to happen. It did not step in when Ceredigion Council shut schools in November 2020 after a number of coronavirus cases there.

Under coronavirus guidance, school leaders and councils make decisions on what mitigations to impose depending on the local situation with the virus.

That has led to some schools already returning to contact bubbles, asking pupils to wear masks, and cancelling events such as Nativity shows and concerts even before the new variant appeared.

Now the situation looks more concerning, with not enough known yet about how serious the new and apparently more infectious variant is.

On Tuesday Wales’ Health Minister Eluned Morgan warned: “This is a worrying time for us all. We had all hoped we could start to think about a future not overshadowed by the pandemic. But we now face the uncertainty about a new variant of coronavirus just before Christmas.

“Never has there been a more important time for us all to work together to protect our families and our loved ones. We need to keep doing the small things which have kept us safe through the pandemic.”

Families may be worried about chil

dren having to self-isolate or infecting vulnerable family members over the holidays. Self-isolation rules have been significantly beefed up to deal with the Omicron variant.

Last year some schools decided to close early and return to remote learning after parents told headteachers they would be taking their children out to avoid self-isolating or spreading infection over Christmas.

This was followed by councils and unions pressing for early closures, which then followed.

Reopening guidance requires schools to have remote and blended learning plans in place if needed, so it would not be a major disruption for them to put those plans into action.

In light of worries over the new Omicron variant, we asked all 22 local education authorities whether there were any discussions or plans to shut schools early and return to remote learning as a precaution in the light of the new variant.

These are the replies from some of those that responded:

Swansea

“There are no plans to close schools early in Swansea – the term is due to end on Friday, December 17. We’ll continue to follow Welsh Government guidance.”

Inset days are decided by the schools themselves.

Schools in Swansea ending term on December 16 with an inset day on December 17 include Danygraig Primary, Gors Community Primary, Hendrefoilan Primary, Waunarlwydd Primary and Ysgol Pontybrenin.

Carmarthenshire

“This issue has not been discussed with schools in Carmarthenshire. Unless circumstances change, normal dates will be adhered to.”

Powys

“No discussion have taken place in Powys. Our end of term Wednesday, December 22.”

Cardiff Blaenau Gwent

is

“There have been no discussions around ending term early.”

“There have been no discussions in Blaenau Gwent about schools closing earlier than the planned end of term at this point in time. The term ends on December 17; however, some schools do have inset days planned.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said earlier this week: “Ensuring that learning can continue has been a priority throughout the pandemic and we will continue to look to minimise disruption to education.

“The decision framework for schools clearly sets out the conditions under which additional measures should be introduced to reflect local circumstances, helping maximise learning and minimise disruption to learners across Wales.”