Secondary schools in Gwynedd will remain closed to pupils for the week beginning 4th January 2021, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Primary schools are set to reopen as planned following the Christmas break, while secondary pupils will move to online learning and return a week later.
A statement from Gwynedd Council said: “Schools will be providing online learning for pupils in all year groups. Provision for vulnerable children and the children of key workers will be available.
“Based on the current situation regarding the Covid pandemic, it is expected that all Gwynedd primary schools will re-open after the Christmas holiday next week with Gwynedd secondary schools moving to a distance learning model for next week, and reopening for pupils the following week.
“Due to pre-arranged training days, the exact return dates and remote learning dates in the case of secondary schools will vary from school to school. Individual schools will have notified parents of these arrangements and families are urged to check any letters, e-mails, text messages or social media posts received from their children’s respective schools.”
In accordance with the above:
Primary schools – All Gwynedd primary schools will reopen either on 5 January or 6 January, unless there is a local covid-based reason not to do so. In these instances, parents and carers have been informed.
Secondary schools – Secondary school pupils will be taught via distance learning next week. Again, the dates will vary from school to school due to teacher training days. Pupils will be distance learning either from 5 or 6 January throughout the remainder of that week. In accordance with present information and guidance from Welsh Government, all secondary schools will re-open on 11 January.
The Gwynedd Local Education Authority is working closely with school head teachers and governors to keep them up-to-date with the latest Welsh Government guidance and parents and carers will be updated as necessary.
Gwynedd Council’s Head of Education, Garem Jackson, said: “We appreciate that these are difficult times for parents, pupils and school staff with the Covid situation continuing to be uncertain.
“We are confident that the arrangements we have in place offer the best possible way forward so that disruption to children’s education is kept to a minimum while safeguarding the health of pupils, staff and the wider public.
“If parents are unsure of the specific arrangements at their child’s school, I would urge them to read the latest correspondence they receive from their school or check the school’s website or social media feeds.”
