Exams for Welsh students to go ahead and masks in classrooms to continue for now

We’ve had an update from the Welsh Education Minister about changes to Covid rules in schools here.

It looks like schools in Wales will return to making their own rules after half term, that’s likely to be confirmed at the next review on 10th February.

Masks to stay for now

Face coverings will remain in schools for the time being, just as they are required in most public places, at alert level 0.

To manage and improve ventilation in classrooms, CO2 monitors have been provided for every classroom in Wales, and £95m has been provided to support maintenance work such as such as repairing windows or replacing air filters in air handling units where schools face challenges.

Schools will get advice on how to use them in the next few days.

A statement from the Education Minister said

“In preparation, schools should work with their local authorities and public health advisors to determine the measures they may need to put in place, based on their local circumstances."

Exams to go ahead

The Eduction Minister said exams would go ahead as planned and that he was confident it was still the fairest way of assessing pupils in spite of recent disruption.

But they would be adapted to reflect the upheaval, as would grade boundaries.

He said it would mean Welsh students were not disadvantaged compared to their English counterparts

“Our focus remains to maximise learning and minimise disruption. I wish to reiterate to learners, schools and colleges that exams and assessments this year will go ahead, unless the public health situation makes it impossible for them to physically run – which we do not envisage.

“The intention to adjust grade boundaries to reflect disruption has already been set out. Adaptations to exam content have been put in place as well as prior notification of areas of examination , so that assessments are as fair as possible, and which will enable teachers to focus their time on the key areas for learning.

“Working collaboratively with Qualifications Wales, we are working with colleges to ensure learners undertaking vocational qualifications are also able to access appropriate adaptations this year. I encourage all learners in exam years to talk to their schools and colleges about what additional support and flexibility might be available this year, to help them progress with confidence.”