Opening up childcare and education
What
Schools will start the next phase on 29 June, with the term extended by a week, therefore ending on 27 July.
Autumn half-term break will be expanded to two weeks.
Further Education colleges will re-open from 15 June for students requiring licence to practice
assessments and vulnerable learners.
Childcare providers will also increase the numbers of children in attendance from 29 June.
How
In each school there will be a phased approach.
Year groups will be split into cohorts with staggered starts, lessons and breaks.
It is expected that this will mean, at most, a third of pupils present at any one time, though schools
may need time to reach this level of operation.
Much smaller classes, providing secure dedicated time with teachers and classmates.
This time will include online and personalised classroom experience, getting children and teachers
ready for a similar experience in September.
Why
Since the decision to close schools for statutory provision, our understanding of the virus and its longer-term impacts has continued to develop.
We know that we are going to have to live with it for some time.
We know that it will remain our biggest challenge for the foreseeable future.
It is now 77 days since we took that decision.
We know that the classroom experience will be different for a long time to come.
What we are doing is creating the opportunity for children to Check in, Catch Up and Prepare
before the start of September.
What next
Next week, the Welsh Government will publish guidance to support childcare, schools, as well as further and higher education institutions.
This will include information on managing their facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.