Agenda item

To receive the Minutes of the Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 26^th February, 2020.

(Please note the Minutes are submitted for points of accuracy only).

The Minutes of the Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 26^th February, 2020 were submitted.

The Committee AGREED that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of proceedings.

UPDATE - RETURNING TO SCHOOL DURING THE

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

At the request of the Chair, the Interim Corporate Director Education provided a verbal update on returning to school during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Interim Director confirmed that a full report would be presented to the next Scrutiny Committee covering the emergency response to date and an update on the reopening of schools.

It was reported that the process to re-open the schools had been a strategic approach with the formation of Executive Planning Groups for both primary and secondary school sectors. There were two planning days and two transitional planning days included into the process with specific targeting of certain year groups. The Education team with corporate support developed guidance to support the reopening of schools and this included health and safety advice and the undertaking of risk assessments.

It was reported that all schools in Blaenau Gwent opened fully on the 7^th September. This had been in advance of the Welsh Government requirement of 14^th September. In terms of attendance, it was advised that as of week commencing 7^th September attendance was at 84% which dropped to 81% by the Friday, the reasons for the reduction in attendance was not yet known.

The Interim Corporate Director Education continued that there have been 4 confirmed Covid-19 cases in schools at present. There was one case in a primary school which had not impacted other pupils and 3 pupils in a secondary school. The guidance was revised to take account of these cases, for example school assemblies would not take place and face masks are encouraged in communal areas. The school based staff attendance is being monitored by OD and so far 20 staff are self-isolating, although it was anticipated that this number could increase.

A Member asked if the officers were confident guidelines were being followed and also asked what support was in place for parents.

The Interim Corporate Director advised that the guidance would be enforced at the next planning meeting on Friday and clear messages have been provided to the schools and parents.

Another Member asked if an infected pupil had a sibling in a different school what would be the advice to parents. The Education Transformation Manager explained the process and it was felt that guidance available for parents needed to be clear. The Officer reiterated that these messages are being provided and would continue to be available to parents.

Further concerns were raised in relation to guidance and it was stated that it was crucial that the appropriate information was available for schools, parents and pupils.

A Member commended school based staff for their dedication in getting the schools back up and running.

In response to a question raised in relation to Welsh Government monies, it was asked if this funding was available to supply pupils with masks. The Interim Corporate Director confirmed that £1.8m had been allocated across Wales and the allocation for Blaenau Gwent had yet to be received to date. However, Corporate Procurement were ready to purchase the masks and visors for staff.  The Chair added that visors should also be made available for pupils who cannot wear face coverings. 

The Interim Corporate Director Education advised that all these issues would be considered when risk assessments are carried out.

In relation to face masks, the Member noted that Welsh Government had left it to local authorities to make the decision if face coverings should be mandatory in schools and the Member felt that Blaenau Gwent should make it mandatory.

The Member further raised concerns in relation to the protocols in place in notifying schools if a pupil had tested positive.    

The Education Transformation Manager advised that a great deal of work had been undertaken with schools during the summer and had alternative control measures in place to ensure the safety of both staff and pupils. The Manager added that making face coverings mandatory would be the last resort. There were variations in other local authorities, however, in Blaenau Gwent it was encouraged to wear a face covering in communal areas and the Education Transformation Manager stated that consideration also needed to be given to guidance in terms of infection control in respect of face coverings.

In response to a positive test result, it was informed that it had only taken 20 minutes to contact Environmental Health who then contacted the headteacher. All parties had been in constant contact over the weekend and a meeting had been arranged for the Monday morning.

Another Member advised that he had been contacted by residents with concerns that pupils using school transport were removing their face coverings and asked if escorts should be in place on all school transport to enforce this rule.  The Education Transformation Manager advised that a zero tolerance policy had been agreed in terms of school transport, however, the Authority needed a careful balance to ensure both the safety measures are in place and that children are able to access education. There was also hand sanitizer on all buses which was encouraged to be used.

It was important that the children were adhering to advice and the parents would need to be informed to ensure the zero tolerance policy was reinforced.

Further points were raised in terms of positive cases of pupils who may have come into contact with children outside of their year groups whilst accessing school transport. It was reported that children who use school transport was registered for Test, Trace and Protect purposes. The Education Transformation Manager added that the Authority also took advice from Public Health Wales and if a pupil had been in contact with a positive pupil they would be asked to self-isolate.

Another Member noted his disappointment that information had been placed on social media which had not been provided to Elected representatives. The Member felt it was important that these messages are being communicated, however there was also a need for Councillors to be informed. The Member advised that he had received numerous calls in relation to a local matter but was unable to comment as he was not aware of the incident and asked that Members be informed of any such cases in their respective Wards.

The Interim Corporate Director Education noted the importance of communication and it was key that Elected representatives received regular updates.

The Co-opted Member stated that the support from Education and other Departments in the Council had been great. The clear and calm instructions from officers had kept the schools running during this very difficult period. The
Co-opted Member sought clarification on the process for an inconclusive test result. The Education Transformation Manager advised that discussions would be undertaken with Environmental Health as to how this would be addressed and then contact would be made with the head teacher. Although the Manager assumed that self-isolation should be continued until a further test was carried out.

In response to a question raised in relation to guidance for schools, the Interim Corporate Director Education advised that school guidance documents had been produced and would be regularly updated as new information was received from Welsh Government.