Agenda item

That the Committee note the arrangements for the safe return to schools as outlined in the revised Welsh Government Covid-19 Operational Guidance and Local Covid-19 Infection Decision Framework.

            The Chief Executive introduced the report which detailed the arrangements for the safe return to schools, as outlined in the revised Welsh Government (WG) Covid-19 Operational Guidance and Local Covid-19 Infection Decision Framework.

            The Senior Manager (School Improvement) reported that the Education Minister had advised all schools at the end of the summer term that the guiding principle for September was that they should operate as normally as possible including the provision of free breakfast and after school clubs, extra-curricular activities and practical subjects.  The detailed operational guidance for schools had been slimmed down and was being replaced by a Local Covid-19 Infection Decision Framework. The Framework enabled interventions to be tailored to the level of local risk and schools were expected to transition to this new Framework by 20 September, 2021.

All Flintshire schools opened successfully at the start of the new academic year with schools continuing to have detailed risk assessments in place to ensure a suitable hierarchy of controls.  These were now being amended to align with the new Framework.

            The Chair welcomed the comments made by the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) at a recent Recovery Committee meeting around the low number of teaching and ancillary staff absences, which had been positive.  He said that he had been apprehensive of pupils returning to school but was pleased that the term had started positively.  

            Councillor Dave Mackie suggested that the Committee show its appreciation of the school leadership, which had enabled pupils to return to schools safely.  He commented on schools taking a more lenient approach in order to support learners during the pandemic but felt that moving forward, schools had to re-install discipline in a nurturing way and support parents to ensure this happened.  The Facilitator confirmed that during the next meeting, the Committee would be provided with a verbal update on the impact the pandemic had had on young people specifically on their health and well-being and their ability to engage with learning. 

            The Senior Manager (Inclusion and Progression) responded to the comments made by Councillor Mackie and outlined that schools had worked extremely hard to keep parents informed on current Covid-19 restrictions in schools.  Reassurances on the measures placed in schools were also provided to parents.  The council’s wider services had also worked to keep parents updated on processes, providing advice on benefits and support accessing IT across the Council Services.  

            Councillor Gladys Healey referred to the pressures on children and young people which now included vaccination with the proposals to vaccinate children 12 years and over.  As pupils were now able to provide their own consent was this adding to their pressures.   In response, the Chief Executive said that this was an ethical question balancing this with the Human Rights Act and Children’s Legal Rights.  His understanding was that it would be vaccinators or GPs who would decide if a pupil was able to give consent.  This was beyond the Council’s control.

            In response to Councillor Mackie’s comments, Councillor Gladys Healey suggested that a letter be written to all Schools by the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanking them for their hard work in ensuring pupils returned to school safely.  This suggestion was supported by the Committee.

The recommendation, as outlined within the report, was moved and seconded by Councillor Bob Connah and Councillor Martin White.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the arrangements for the safe return to schools as outlined in the revised Welsh Government Covid-19 Operational Guidance and Local Covid-19 Infection Decision Framework.