High School pupils could take next week off

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Welshpool High School has contacted parents to offer them the chance to take their children out of the last week of term in order to protect Christmas plans.

Powys County Council has urged schools to remain open up until December 18, despite concerns that one positive Covid-19 test in a class next week could ruin Christmas plans for dozens who would be required to self-isolate.

The school has just re-opened following a two-week closure due to a Covid outbreak, so they are being extra cautious as the Festive season approaches.

The school has said in a survey to parents: “Welshpool High School will remain open up to and including December 18.

“However, we are mindful of the fact that some families have arranged to meet loved ones over the Christmas period that they haven’t been able to see in person for many months.

“We are also sensitive to the concern that such plans could be jeopardised if a child became a contact of a positive case in the final week of term.

“With that in mind we would like to ask you if you intend to send your child to school in the final week of term, or whether you intend to exercise your right to request five days holiday within term time, the allowed maximum being 10 days in an academic year.”

The school adds that should a parent decide to keep their child at home for that week, there will not be any school work set online for them.

Ysgol Llanfyllin is taking a similar cautious approach, but is planning on home schooling a number of children from several year groups.

The all-through four to 18 school has contacted parents to explain the changes, which follows a survey of parents and staff.

Headteacher Dewi Owen said that at a a meeting of the temporary governing body on December 3, it was decided that pupils in Years Nine to 13 should be taught online during the last week of term. Pupils in Years Seven and Eight would be in school for that final week.

Mr Owen, said: “The rationale behind this decision is that any pupil or staff member who becomes a Covid contact during the last week of term will be required to isolate over Christmas.

“Due to the five Covid cases the School has experienced since September, 230 pupils have had to isolate for 14 days.

“The school has been engaged in distance learning, through Microsoft Teams, well before the pandemic started and we are now a sector leader in delivering high quality education to all pupils and all pupils are fully immersed in the use of Teams.

“The Governing Body is acutely aware of the unique opportunity the new Christmas restrictions will bring in allowing families the opportunity to celebrate together, which self-isolation at short notice would ruin.

“Therefore, taking into account all of these factors it was felt that this decision would significantly lower the risk of self-isolation over the festive period.”

Mr Owen adds that the school is fully aware of Powys County Council’s desire that children remain in school until the end of term.

He said: “The governing body fully supports this policy and wishes to make it clear that the School will remain open; however, for some pupils this will result in their lessons being delivered remotely.”