(Title Image: Wales Online)
The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor), has announced schools in Wales will reopen from Monday 29th June 2020.
All pupils will attend, but year groups will be split into three with staggered starts, breaks and lesson times so only a third of pupils attend lessons at a given time.
“Personalised classroom experiences” and online resources will continue to be used, with the statement suggesting the arrangement could stay in place at the start of the 2020-21 autumn term in September.
Schools will decide for themselves how to manage this arrangement.
“29th June means there will have been one full month of test, trace and protect, which will continue to expand. I can also announce that teachers will be a priority group in our new antibody-testing programme. As we continue to keep Wales safe, this approach will be critical.
“The evolving science suggests that warm weather and sunlight gives us the best opportunity to ensure more time in school. Waiting until September would mean almost half a year without schooling. That would be to the detriment to the wellbeing, learning progress and mental health of our young people.”
– Education Minister, Kirsty Williams
The summer term has been extended one week to 27th July 2020, while the autumn half-term break (currently due to start 26th October 2020) will be extended to two weeks.
Further education colleges are set to reopen to face-to-face learning from 15th June 2020, while guidance to childcare providers will be issued later this week. Universities will be provided with further guidance next week.