Maintained schools and further education colleges in Wales have been told to remain open until the day of the Queen's funeral, the Welsh Government has announced. The Welsh Government confirmed the decision in a message to schools and colleges at lunchtime on Friday.
The Welsh Government says it has not yet made an announcement about what schools should do on the day of the Queen's funeral and will write to schools with further guidance when the date of the funeral is confirmed.
The memo adds that although attendance is expected as normal, headteachers have the usual power to authorise leaves of absence for pupils in exceptional circumstances. "Any requests for leave of absence should be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account individual circumstances," the Welsh Government said.
Read more:
- Leave your tributes to the Queen in our online book of condolence
- The times that The Queen made us laugh
Education and childcare settings have been told they may want to consider conducting special activities, holding assemblies or adapting planned lessons to reflect the period of national mourning and commemorate the life of Her Majesty.
The Welsh Government said childcare and early years providers, including Flying Start childcare, have no obligation to observe particular behaviours or close during the mourning period. But they may want to consider not holding or postponing events.
"If children and young people are upset, Hwb is a source of information to support children and young people to manage death and loss," the message adds.
Universities and other high education settings can decide themselves whether to stay open during the funeral.
Some private schools, including Redhill High School in Pembrokeshire, have announced they will be shut on the day of the Queen's funeral as a mark of respect.
Headteacher Alun Milington said: "Redhill High School will mark the Queen's passing with a school closure on the day of her funeral. This is to allow for families to share what is a momentous day at home together."
The statement from the Welsh Government in full:
It is with sadness that Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
We have now entered a period of national mourning that will continue until the end of the State Funeral. Guidance providing the public, businesses and institutions with advice on the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been issued on the Welsh Government website.
Once details of the funeral are confirmed by the Royal Household, we will write to you with further guidance and information.
Schools and Further Education settings should remain open. Whilst normal attendance is expected, headteachers continue to have the power to authorise leaves of absence for pupils in exceptional circumstances. Any requests for leave of absence should be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account individual circumstances.
For childcare and early years providers, including Flying Start childcare, there is no obligation for settings to observe particular behaviours or close during the mourning period. Depending on the nature and location of your setting and the tone of planned events, some settings may wish to consider not holding or postponing events.
For higher education, as autonomous institutions, it is for them to decide how to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and whether to remain open for the period of national mourning. Providers should ensure that they communicate clearly to students and staff about arrangements during the national mourning period.
Education and childcare settings may want to consider conducting special activities, holding assemblies or adapting planned lessons to reflect the period of national mourning and commemorate the life of Her Majesty and may wish to repurpose the lesson materials about the Queen’s Jubilee produced by Royal Collections Trust and The National Archives.
If children and young people are upset, Hwb is a source of information to support children and young people to manage death and loss.
Education and childcare settings wishing to pay their respects by flying any flags at half-mast or holding silences should follow the guidance.
Read next:
