Will schools be back to ‘normal’ in September?

Around 1,000 pupils are currently isolating after a cluster of coronavirus cases were reported at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s campuses in Fleur de Lis and Caerphilly town last week.

This is due to the ‘bubble’ system used by schools. This system sees all pupils in a particular bubble having to isolate if someone else in that bubble tests positive for coronavirus.

These bubbles are set to be scrapped across the border in England from July 19, with hopes it will result in less pupils having to isolate.

July 19 has been dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ in England, with the UK Government announcing all remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be lifted on that date – with the requirements to social distance and wear a mask scrapped.

This is despite a recent rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, with the Delta variant circulating.

UK Government’s Education Minister, Gavin Williamson, has also confirmed face masks, social distancing and staggered start and finish times will be scrapped in schools in England from September.

However, this does not affect Wales, as decisions relating to education and coronavirus restrictions in Wales are made by the Welsh Government, and not the UK Government.

So what changes can we expect to see in Wales?

Wales’ Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, has admitted “we will not simply be back to normal by September”, but has stated his intention to “gradually ease” coronavirus restrictions in education settings so they can operate as “normally as possible” come the autumn.

Currently, all schools, colleges and universities in Wales follow Welsh Government guidance, but Mr Miles said there was a need for a “more localised approach” as we move through the pandemic.

He said: “To enable this, we will publish a national framework for each education sector which will support them to escalate and de-escalate interventions based on risk. The framework will set out a range of safety measures depending on the risk category, based on low, moderate, high and very high-risk categories.

“In the spirit of social partnership, we are sharing draft frameworks with partners, to be further developed between now and the end of the summer term.”

He added: “The frameworks will allow escalation or de-escalation of measures such as testing, the use of face coverings and social distancing.”

Mr Miles said the approach will follow the model already being used in care homes.

He also said bubbles have “played an important role over the last year”, but added: “We need to ensure that settings distinguish between bubbles on the one hand, and personal contact with cases on the other.”

He also confirmed he wants schools to return to their usual lesson times, as opposed to the staggered start and finish times currently in place.

Mr Miles said the changes “do not mean a wholesale removal of mitigating measures, but are about our schools, colleges and universities being able to make decisions based on the balance of harms and minimising disruption to learning”.

Criticism

Welsh Conservative Senedd Member Laura Anne Jones, who represents South Wales East, described Mr Miles’ comments as “confusing and shambolic”, and accused him of “chasing an easy headline” with his comments about education settings being able to make their own decisions.

Ms Jones said clinicians and government ministers should be responsible for coronavirus measures in schools, not headteachers.

“Schools, teachers, pupils and parents need to know the plan for the return to education in the autumn. There can be no excuses – they deserve clarity.

“In the quest for a headline, the minister has caused chaos in the Welsh education system. That’s unacceptable and he must bring forward a detailed statement outlining every part of his plan before the end of the Senedd term.”

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru councillor Lindsay Whittle, who is also a school governor, voiced his concerns over Mr Miles’ announcement.

Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn ward councillor Whittle, who is a former Senedd Member for South Wales East, said: “The idea of schools setting their own agenda is an appalling negation of duty, in my opinion.

“It is grossly unfair on headteachers to have to make decisions when incidents occur in schools. Government, either nationally or locally, should set the guidelines.

“It is up to them to make decisions not headteachers. Heads are there to educate our children.

“During this last 16 months, teaching staff have had a torrid time anyway. This latest added burden is unjust and unfair.”