Ceredigion Schools to move to distanced learning

Secondary Schools in Ceredigion will close for face to face learning from Monday, 14 December and all Primary Schools from Tuesday, 15 December 2020. From 15 to 18 December, all Ceredigion pupils will be taught remotely. Whilst school sites will physically close, schools will continue to provide high quality teaching digitally.

This decision has been made with the full support of Head-teachers and Teaching Unions and in the best interest of pupils, their families and school staff. This decision reduces the potential for pupils needing to self-isolate over Christmas.

Over recent days and weeks, there have been increasing cases of pupils and staff required to self-isolate due to being tested positive for coronavirus or have been identified as contacts of a positive case. This has led to serious staffing difficulties in many of our schools.

Ceredigion Council recognises the hard work of school staff during the year and in meeting the challenges that the coronavirus has brought, whilst at the same time continuing to deliver high teaching quality, face to face or remotely. We also recognise that our pupils have had to adapt to the new ways of working.

Support for pupils receiving free school meals will continue from Monday, 14 December and over the Christmas holidays.

Closing schools for face to face teaching will enable families to limit contacts with people they do not live with leading up to Christmas. The risk of catching coronavirus is reduced when we limit how much contact we have with others – the coronavirus thrives on human contact.

In a statement issued by Ceredigion Council, they said:

“We urge families who are meeting up with loved ones over Christmas to use this time to keep each other safe. How we act and the choices we make over the coming days and weeks will determine whether we can enjoy Christmas with our families.

“The Council urges all parents to refer their children for a test if they develop any of the symptoms, which are:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

“Parents should also be aware of other symptoms early on, such as headaches, tiredness and general aches and pains usually associated with the flu.

“Continue to play your part. Remain vigilant and remember to follow the guidelines:

• Keep a 2m social distance from each other when out and about – indoors and outdoors;
• Wash your hands regularly;
• Limit your social contact;
• Work from home wherever possible;
• Households are able to form a ‘bubble’ with one other – that bubble arrangement cannot be swapped, changed, or extended further than one household;
• People are allowed to meet with others from outside that bubble in a regulated venue, such as a pub or restaurant (until 6pm) where there are strict safety protocols in place, but the maximum number of people that can meet is four and even then social distancing should be maintained wherever possible;
• Wear a face mask in indoor public places, shops and on public transport;
• Self-isolate immediately at the first sign of any COVID-19 symptoms and arrange a test immediately, only leaving home to get tested. A test need to be booked online or by phoning 119.”