Covid-19 - Latest information regarding school provision

 There will be a  phased return for Foundation Phase (3-7 years old) pupils in the Caerphilly county borough by 26 February.

Welsh Government announced at its review on 19 February, that if the situation continues to improve over the following three week period, more primary school children and older students will be able to return from 15 March.  Until then, those pupils will continue with current remote learning arrangements.

The majority of children across the county borough are currently receiving remote learning, whilst schools continue to provide face to face support for vulnerable children and the children of eligible key workers. 

Staff have worked hard to make schools as safe as possible.  When your child returns to school, we need you to continue helping to control the spread of the virus by doing the following:

• Don’t send your child to school if they’re ill.
• Don’t send your child to school if anyone in your household has booked a Coronavirus test.
• If you need to use public transport or a taxi to take your child to school, please do so safely or consider walking or cycling where possible.
• Unless you have no choice, please do not share a lift with other families.
• When you take your child to school and collect them, always keep your distance from other parents and don’t stay around to chat.
• Don’t invite other children (or their parents / carers) to your home to play or stay, even outdoors, or even if they are in the same bubble at school.
• Make sure that your child washes or sanitises their hands regularly.If your child displays symptoms of Coronavirus whilst at school, they will be sent home.  You will need to arrange a test for them and ensure your household follows self-isolation guidance. 

Emergency school care provision for children of critical (Key) workers

To be eligible for Coronavirus Critical (Key) Worker Education Provision you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Your child/children must be of school age and registered at a Caerphilly school prior to the schools closing in December 2020.
• One parent is a Coronavirus critical (key) workers. A list is available on the Welsh Government website. Please note: Being included on the above list does not mean children of all workers in these categories can or will be able to continue to send their children to school. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. However, if a parents/carers work is critical to the COVID-19 response or is in a key sector such as health and social care and the child/children cannot be kept safely at home, then priority should be given for continued education provision.)
• Where there is a second parent/adult in the household they must also be a Coronavirus critical (key) workers and are required to attend their workplace and the child / children cannot be safely cared for at home
• You reside within the Caerphilly county borough

How to apply

• If you have received critical worker education provision before and your circumstances have not changed, you do not need to do anything. We have your details, and these have been passed onto the school. The school will contact you during the two planning days on 4th and 5th of January to confirm arrangements.

• If you have not received critical worker education provision before, or your circumstances have changed, please complete our online application form below. We will pass eligible applications onto the school. The school will then contact you during the two planning days on 4th and 5th of January to confirm arrangements. 

Application for Education provision for children of critical (Key) workers

Please note that the Welsh Government list of critical (key) workers is extensive. Priority will be given to applications from frontline emergency services, social care and education staff in the first instance.

Free school meals provision

Pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive deliveries to their home when they return. Pupils not receiving free school meals and will be required to bring a packed lunch