Rhondda Cynon Taf schools are looking forward to welcoming back pupils this September – and while Wales remains in Alert Level Zero, there are several key steps everyone can take to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Since staff and pupils were last in the classroom in July, Wales entered Alert Level Zero (from August 7) removing all restrictions. In Welsh Government’s latest three-week review on August 27, it was confirmed that no significant changes would be made to the current rules – noting that Covid cases are increasing and that responsible actions should still be taken to contain the spread of the virus.
Welsh Government has recently published its framework for the return to school in September 2021, and the Council has subsequently finalised a supporting operational guidance document for schools – so that each school can review and revise its risk assessments, to reflect local risks and circumstances.
The current position will see many aspects of school life returning to normal, with some of the previous measures no longer being applied. For example, pupil bubbles and discrete contact groups, and routine self-isolation of whole classes, will no longer be necessary. Schools will put in place proportionate measures to mitigate the presenting local risks, which are considered to be ‘Moderate’ at present in Rhondda Cynon Taf – as defined by Welsh Government’s framework. If risk levels increase, further enhanced measures may be reintroduced on a proportionate basis.
Schools will continue to put in place robust preventative measures to keep learners and staff safe following their return to school. The framework issued by Welsh Government will need to be implemented as soon as possible in all schools, and by September 20 at the latest.
Welsh Government’s updated guidance for the new school term asks parents, carers and learners to follow important advice relating to self-isolation, testing and other measures to prevent Covid-19 being brought into school. These are particularly important with Covid-19 cases currently rising throughout our communities. These baseline measures include:
- Maintaining regular hand-washing throughout the school day.
- Staying at home and booking a PCR test if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, however mild (applying to all staff and learners).
- Taking two lateral flow tests – the first three days before returning to school and the second on the morning of the first day back (applying to all primary school staff, and all secondary school staff and learners).
- Staying at home and booking a PCR test if a test result is positive (applying to all staff and learners).
- Continuing to take lateral flow tests twice a week and reporting the results online (applying to all staff in primary schools, and all staff and learners in secondary schools not showing symptoms).
- Wearing a face covering on school and college transport (applying to all pupils in Year 7 and upwards).
Schools will have in place robust risk assessments to reflect the level of presenting risks, and to ensure that Covid safe measures are put in place. Certain mitigating measures aimed at reducing close interactions, enhancing physical distancing and the use of face coverings will vary depending on the level of presenting risks both locally and nationally.
Although face coverings are no longer routinely recommended for secondary learners on school sites, they may be required in certain circumstances and where the level of risk is significant.
The Council is continuing its previous arrangements in relation to wearing face coverings on its contracted secondary school and college transport. All secondary learners without a reasonable exemption must wear a face covering on school transport. Face coverings must also be worn by learners who are travelling to school using public transport, as required across Wales by Welsh Government.
Normal session times should resume but parents/carers are asked, as a general consideration, to avoid gathering in large numbers on or adjacent to school sites.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “Schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf will shortly be welcoming back staff and learners after the summer break. It follows on closely from the excellent A-Level and GCSE results that learners received across the County Borough in August, which reflected their outstanding dedication and commitment throughout a very challenging year.
“Since the end of last year’s summer term, Covid restrictions have been significantly eased across Wales by Alert Level Zero being introduced. This has been reflected in the easing of restrictions for schools, as outlined in Welsh Government’s framework and the Council's own guidance to schools.
“Therefore, some of the rules from last year, including pupil bubbles and routine self-isolation for large groups of learners, will not be used this September. Other specific rules, like face coverings in communal areas, will be determined by each school based on individual circumstances. However, the Council is retaining the compulsory use of face coverings on dedicated school transport.
“I’d like to thank staff, learners, parents and carers once again for their cooperation as we continue to respond to the changing face of the pandemic. The easing of restrictions at the start of the autumn term is very positive news, enabling a large step back towards normal school life, but it is important to remember that the pandemic is still at a critical stage with cases rising again.
“Welsh Government has introduced a baseline set of measures that staff and learners should routinely undertake to help prevent Covid from entering our schools. These range from regular hand-washing to taking lateral flow tests twice a week and staying at home with any mild COVID symptoms or a positive test.”
Please find the link below to Welsh Government’s advice and guidance to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in education settings – here.
Posted on 03/09/2021