Blaenau Gwent Council has today made a decision, together with unanimous support from Head-teachers in the borough, to move to remote learning for all pupils from Thursday, 10th December 2020. It is important to recognise that whilst sites will physically close at the end of the school day on Wednesday, 9th December, schools will continue to provide high quality teaching and learning but via digital technologies, such as the Welsh Government Hwb platform.
The decision has made in the best interests of the well-being of pupils and their families and in recognition that cases of COVID-19 in Blaenau Gwent remain amongst the highest in Wales. The decision ensures that learning can continue until the end of term, and also reduces the potential for pupils needing to self-isolate over the Christmas period. Currently, if identified as a contact of a confirmed case of Coronavirus by the NHS Test Trace Protect system, they are required to self-isolate for a full 14 days as per the guidance. This means complete isolation and not just not attending school.
There have been increasing cases of pupils, and staff, being required to self-isolate for the reason of being a contact – and now 18 schools in the borough are affected in this way, with over 900 pupils currently being required to self-isolate.
This approach will ensure that schools can maintain their provision for learners, and is supported by health professionals working on the Covid response in Blaenau Gwent. Robust home learning plans are in place for all year groups at all schools, and teaching staff will continue to work to deliver teaching and learning remotely until term ends on Friday, 18th December 2020. Headteachers are clear that this approach will ensure that learning can continue, and indeed, be enhanced until the end of this term.
Arrangements will be made for families entitled to Free School Meals to receive direct payments for this period.
Councillor Joanne Collins, the Council’s Executive Member for Education, said:
“We have engaged and listened to our school leaders over plans for the remainder of this term and we are in no doubt that this is absolutely the right decision for learners and their families, giving them the best opportunity to not be facing this Christmas in self-isolation.
All our schools have worked so hard this year to develop comprehensive remote and blended learning plans for pupils, and these have already been put into practice where pupils have been required to self-isolate. Teaching staff will continue to offer support until the end of term.
School staff have worked so hard to support learners throughout this very difficult year, both during full lockdown and when schools re-opened to provide safe and welcoming learning environments this term. We are thankful for their hard work and dedication to the children and young people of this County Borough.”
The Council consulted fully with all Head-teachers, who were unanimously supportive of the move to remote learning.
Individual schools will be in touch with parents/carers to provide more information about the plans for remote learning.
Support for those pupils in receipt of Free School Meals will also continue via the Direct Payments system.