Plans for the phased return to school for children in Wales are due to be announced by the Welsh Government.

Education minister Kirsty Williams will set out the five key principles which will determine how pupils will go back to school after the coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased.

Schools are only open to vulnerable children and children of critical workers, with many local authorities adopting a hub approach rather than opening all schools in their area.

Ms Williams said school provision would gradually adapt and extend further during the next phase of the lockdown, in line with changes outlined by First Minister Mark Drakeford last week.

He published a framework with seven key questions to help lead Wales out of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Ms Williams will set out five guiding principles which will determine when and how schools will return to providing education for most school pupils.

They are:

  • The safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff.
  • Continuing contribution to the national effort and strategy to fight the spread of Covid-19.
  • Having the confidence of parents, staff and students, based on evidence and information, so that they can plan ahead.
  • Ability to prioritise learners at key points, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Consistency with the Welsh Government's framework for decision making, to have guidance in place to support measures such as distancing, managing attendance and wider protective actions.

"Our latest understanding of the rate of transmission of Covid-19 allows us to be hopeful, but still requires us to be cautious," Ms Williams said.

North Wales Pioneer:

Education minister Kirsty Williams

"It is vital that parents, staff and students have confidence in returning to school. We will only enter the next phase when the evidence and advice suggests that it is the right thing to do.

"I will communicate any decision to change the operation of schools well in advance of any required action, allowing school staff, pupils and parents to plan ahead.

"Schools will not immediately return to operating at full capacity. It will be a phased approach and I do not expect schools will suddenly open for all pupils, from all years, all week.

"The ongoing challenge of Covid-19 means we will prepare schools for a range of scenarios for the foreseeable future.

"However unlikely, we must prepare for an eventuality that requires schools to reduce operations at specific future points."

Earlier this month, Ms Williams suggested Wales could follow countries in Europe like Denmark with phased reopening of schools starting with younger children in primary education.

"It's quite clear to me that when schools reopen it won't be business as usual," she said.

"As I understand it, social distancing practices are probably due to continue for a considerable period of time.

"And that causes some real practical challenges in terms of school transport, in terms of parents at the school gate, and the ability to accommodate the cohort within confines of a classroom.

"But that work and that thinking is ongoing."