Council arrangements for returning to school in January

BRIDGEND County Borough Council has confirmed arrangements for staff and pupils returning to school in the New Year.

All schools in the county borough will be using January 4 and January 5 to assess staffing levels, review risk assessments and ensure the school is a safe environment for pupils.

It means that, on these two days, no learners will be in school.

On January 6, 7 and 8, all county borough infant, junior, primary and special schools, with primary school age children, will be providing on-site support for the children of critical workers and vulnerable learners.

In Bridgend, a critical worker is defined as someone who works for one of the following organisations: Health, Social care, Fire and rescue service, Police, Ambulance service or Education.

There will be no onsite/in-school provision for the children of critical workers in any Bridgend secondary school during the week commencing Monday, January 4 2021.

However, secondary schools in Bridgend will be providing on-site support for vulnerable learners on January 6, 7 and 8.

Pupils who will be learning from home on January 6, 7 and 8 will receive online learning activities from their schools.

From Monday, January 11, learners will then start to return to school.

Each pupil’s school will let parents and carers know how this will happen in January.

The council’s cabinet member for education Charles Smith said: “As we confirm the new term arrangements next year, we would like to thank all parents, carers and pupils for their ongoing support and patience during a very difficult year.

“It is our expectation that as many learners as possible are educated on-site, as quickly and as safely as possible during the week beginning January 11.”

Food parcels will continue for pupils eligible for free school meals with deliveries commencing Monday, January 4.

Further details of the delivery days will be confirmed shortly after Christmas.