Hundreds of pupils in whole year groups have been sent home to work again as high staff absence and Covid continues to cause havoc in schools.
Three year groups at Ysgol Glantaf in Cardiff have been sent home to work this week. All children in years seven, 10 and nine were affected. Parents said they have been told staff absence meant their children could not be taught in person for at least one day this week.
In a message to parents Ysgol Glantaf in Cardiff said: “Tuesday 15/3 Yr 10 to work from home (although students who have college courses should continue to attend their courses.
“Wednesday 16/3: Yr 7 to work from home (although students who have college courses should continue to attend these courses).
“Friday 18/3 Yr 9 to work from home.”
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Merthyr Council said nursery classes at one of its primary schools, which it did not name, closed at the start of this week, but has since re-opened. Two classes were also closed at Merthyr’s Greenfields special school at the start of the week but will re-open before the end of the week, a spokesperson said.
Latest data from Cardiff Council shows 114 staff in the city’s schools had Covid between March 4 and 10.
Covid cases in classrooms remain relatively low. The total number of reported Covid cases in Cardiff schools from March 4 and 10 was 492. Of those 378 were among pupils and 114 staff.
Based on latest figures, there are just under 56,000 pupils and students enrolled at Cardiff’s schools in total. The total number of Cardiff schools staff, not including casual staff, is just over 7,300.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Although numbers are at a level that has allowed Welsh Government to significantly ease restrictions, clearly coronavirus remains in the community, and positive cases amongst staff can sometimes pose short-term challenges for schools.
"One of the options open to schools in dealing with that challenge, is to move specific groups of pupils to remote learning for a few days.”
"Whilst we will not share specific details regarding individual schools, we can confirm that any positive cases related to school pupils and staff are dealt with by the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace and Protect service. We urge those contacted by the TTP team to follow their advice.
“As is required by current Welsh Government guidance, Cardiff’s schools, with support from the local authority, are continuously assessing the risks associated with Covid-19 at a local level, and implementing tailored mitigation accordingly.”
School leaders and teaching unions said staff absence for all reasons and Covid was continuing to cause problems in schools. Headteachers have complained that there is little or no supply cover available when staff go off sick.
David Evans, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union Cymru, said: “We can’t ignore the pandemic in schools. With schools having to shut year groups it is critical that action is taken to keep everyone safe - both staff and learners alike. Welsh Government must make sure that every school has all the support they need for well ventilated classrooms and masks when required. We will be raising this with them again when we next meet.”
Eithne Hughes from the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru said supply cover is “difficult to secure in some areas” and headteachers are “struggling” to keep classes open in some cases.
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