Announcement on schools to be made next week as Wales' education minister reveals children could wear masks in the classroom

We put questions about schools re-opening to Wales' education minister Kirsty Williams

Staff and pupils may be advised to wear masks when schools re-open in Wales.

The use of protective face covering is one of the measures being looked at to keep people safer when classrooms start to open, education minister Kirsty Williams has told WalesOnline.

A further announcement on plans for schools, which were ordered to shut in March at the start of lockdown, is expected from the minister next week.

The 6,000-plus children of key workers currently attending hub schools across Wales are not required to wear masks. Neither are staff.

But that could change when schools open up for more pupils to attend.

And as Prime Minister Boris Johnson told schools in England they can open to some pupils from June 1, it could be that children in Wales are still learning remotely for at least some of the school day in September.

The safety measures being considered for when schools re-open in Wales

Masks, cleaning regimes, class sizes, ventilation and protocols for reporting infections are all part of the task being considered to bring children back to their classrooms.

Kirsty Williams said: “When we are in a position to have more children going to school we will set out guidance around how we make that as safe as possible.

“We will have complete guidance and that will include whether we would suggest people wear face coverings.

“That will be based on advice from science and the chief medical officer.

“It could, potentially, include guidance on masks. We are still getting advice on that.

“There will be a full set of guidance. It is constantly being discussed and the evidence around face covering is constantly evolving.”

When will schools re-open to more pupils?

Boris Johnson has told schools in England they can re-open from June 1, but no date has been set in Wales and the Welsh Government says it won’t be rushed.

“What is really important is we make the right decision for Wales,” said Ms Williams.

“Education colleagues across the UK speak regularly and we are clear we are making decisions that are right for our education systems.

“My job is to create a system built on confidence. What we know from a survey by the Children’s Commissioner is that many children are missing school and want to go back.

“I won’t set an arbitrary date. When a decision [on opening schools] is made we will have a lead in period and it won’t be overnight. We want to ensure staff training and support.

“That will include what we do in an individual school setting if someone does display symptoms.”

Schools re-opening may look different in different parts of Wales

The education minister said she hopes for a national approach to schools re-opening, but local differences and the design of schools must be considered. Social distancing may be easier in some school buildings than others.

Sports centres and other facilities may be used for classes.

“We are hoping to take a pan-Wales approach, but what we have to be aware of is that there is a huge diversity of education and a simple matter of a school building could pose huge challenges.

“We have to understand there are practical differences such as the size and design of a school in their ability to bring more children back.

“We have to be mindful of local circumstances and need to open schools differently in different areas.

“That’s not a question of some schools opening earlier but what are the practical difficulties? We might use other buildings, such as sports buildings.”

Be prepared for home learning to continue

Children could still be learning remotely in September.

The Association of School and College Leaders Cymru said earlier this week it is likely pupils would still be doing some learning at home at the start of the new academic year. The education minister confirmed this may well be the case.

“I foresee ongoing use of blended teaching and that could include into the new academic year. I think we should prepare ourselves for that even at the start of the new academic year, depending where we are in this pandemic.

“It will not necessarily be the case that all children are in school all the time.”

Will schools shut again if infections spike?

Maybe.

“Clearly, if we were to find ourselves in a situation where pupils from one area or school tests positive [for Covid-19] we would need to take action in that school.

“We have to be mindful that the pattern of the disease can change and move backwards and forwards depending on what the disease does.”