Archive of Welsh Government COVID-19 guidance

Welsh Government guidance and updates on coronavirus

Back to Coronavirus information (updated) for updates since date below

Welsh Government

Changes to school session times: coronavirus Guidance

Y Gweinidog Addysg, Kirsty Williams, yn egluro ymhellach y system i ddisodli arholiadau cymwysterau cyffredinol yn 2021 16 Rhagfyr 2020

Education Minister Kirsty Williams provides further clarity on system to replace exams for general qualifications in 2021

Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi cynlluniau ar gyfer profion cyfresol mewn ysgolion a cholegau o fis Ionawr ymlaen 14 Rhagfyr 2020

Welsh Government announce plans for serial testing in schools and colleges from January

Secondary schools and colleges in Wales will move to online learning from Monday as part of ‘national effort to reduce coronavirus transmission’  

CANLLAWIAU:  Cadw dysgwyr yn ddiogel mewn addysg  Keeping learners safe in education   10 December 2020
Updated Information and supporting guidance to help schools and other providers to keep learners safe.

Ysgolion: canllawiau coronafeirws  Schools: coronavirus guidance 9 December 2020
Updated operational school guidance and frequently asked questions

Further education: coronavirus  Updated Detailed guide

COVID-19 resilience plan for the post-16 sector  Policy and strategy

Plans for safe return of students to Welsh universities in new year  Press release 

Written Statement: Supporting students to return to higher education in January (7 December 2020) Cabinet statement Education and skills

£500 payment scheme now open to parents and carers of children required to self-isolate  Press release Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Written Statement: Self-Isolation Support Scheme for parents and carers (7 December 2020) Cabinet statement Health and social care

Examination and assessment guidance: 2020 to 2021 Updated guide
Information on examinations and assessments, including A levels, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Further education: coronavirus  Updated Guide
Changes to learning, exams, and attending schools and colleges during the coronavirus pandemic.

Keeping learners safe Updated Guidance

Changes to school session times: coronavirus Updated Guidance

Changes to face coverings policy in schools and colleges
Staff and learners in secondary schools and colleges will be expected to wear face coverings in all areas outside the classroom and on school transport:

College transport guidance

Technical Advisory Group: evidence review on children and young people under 18 in preschool, school or college following the firebreak Report

Find out about free school meals during the coronavirus outbreak Quick guide

Education Minister announces Christmas travel plans for students Press release

Written Statement: Supporting students to travel home safely ahead of Christmas (11 November 2020)  Cabinet statement

Oral Statement: The Approach to Qualifications in 2021 (10 November 2020) Cabinet statement

Wales’ approach for qualifications in 2021 confirmed by Education Minister Kirsty Williams
Press release

Dull Cymru o ymdrin â chymwysterau yn 2021 yn cael ei gadarnhau gan y Gweinidog Addysg, Kirsty Williams 
Datganiad i’r wasg

Work-based learning and apprenticeships: coronavirus  Detailed guide

Coronavirus regulations: frequently asked questions Guidance

Changes to school session times: coronavirus  Guidance

Documents produced for schools: 2019 to 2020  Guidance

Notices disapplying changing school session time requirements Legislation

Modification of Curriculum Requirements in Wales Notice 2020  Legislation

Guidance for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged learners Guidance

Written Statement: Advice to inform the approach to qualifications in 2021  Cabinet statement 29 October 2020: 
"I will be announcing the approach that will be taken to qualifications in 2021 on Tuesday 10 November once learners in exam years are back in school or college."

Independent review of the summer 2020 arrangements to award grades, and considerations for summer 2021 Policy and strategy 29 October 2020

Education Minister's briefing on firebreak (BBC News),

Schools: coronavirus firebreak guidance

Further education and apprenticeships: coronavirus firebreak guidance

£10 million to support university students through pandemic  Press release,

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus Detailed guide, 
Information on examinations and assessments, including A levels, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Update: 19 October 2020: Voice Community: Statement on COVID-19 fire-break in Wales

National coronavirus fire-break to be introduced in Wales on Friday:

  • Primary and special schools will re-open as normal after half-term
  • Secondary schools will re-open after the half-term for children in years seven and eight and most vulnerable children. Pupils will be able to come in to take exams but other pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week.
  • Universities will provide a blend of in-person and online learning
  • Children can continue to access their usual childcare provider, and you can travel to provide, access or receive childcare.
  • All childcare providers, including Flying Start childcare, can remain open and offer their normal services, including provision through the half term holidays.  This includes childcare providers operating from community centers, places of worship and school sites. Nannies can also continue to provide childcare.

Education and Childcare FAQs 

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus 
Detailed guide

Marcus Rashford MBE backs Welsh Government decision to ensure free school meal provisions for every school holiday until Easter 2021  Press release, 

Keeping learners safe Guidance 14 October 2020

Changes to school session times: coronavirus  Guidance 29 September 2020

Local coronavirus restrictions imposed to control outbreaks in South Wales Press release, 21 September 2020

£420,000 will ensure access to free school meals for learners shielding or self-isolating Press release, 20 September 2020

Higher education and student support: coronavirus  Detailed guide (updated)

Local restrictions imposed to control Rhondda Cynon Taf outbreak  Press release Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Further education: coronavirus   Detailed guide   
Changes to learning, exams, and attending schools and colleges during the coronavirus pandemic.

Caerphilly County coronavirus lockdown FAQs

£2.3 million to provide face coverings for secondary school and further education learners  Press release

Welsh Government guidance updated: Back to school plans from September: coronavirus (2 September 2020)

Written Statement: Independent review of the arrangements for awarding grades for the 2020 summer exam series, and considerations for 2021 Cabinet statement

Written Statement: Creating Flexibility for Schools & Settings – Modification of the Basic Curriculum 28 August Cabinet statement

Modification of Curriculum Requirements in Wales Notice 2020  2 Legislation

Statement on face coverings in schools and colleges

Notices disapplying changing school session time requirements Legislation

Global Futures: A plan to improve and promote modern foreign languages  Policy and strategy

A level algorithm FOI release

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus  Detailed guide

Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus Detailed guide

Changes to the number of school sessions 2020 to 2021: coronavirus Guidance

Youth work services guidance: coronavirus  2 Guidance

Statement from Education Minister, Kirsty Williams on GCSE results 2020 Press release

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus Detailed guide

Statement from the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams Press release

Guidance for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged learners Guidance

COVID-19 workforce risk assessment tool: guidance updated

£250,000 fund to support service children in schools across Wales News story

Letter to the Strategy Participation Group members (coronavirus) News story

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus Detailed guide

Statement from Education Minister, Kirsty Williams on A/AS Level and Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Results 2020 Press release

Minister for Education guarantees that a learner’s final A Level grade cannot be lower than their AS grade Press release

Changes to school session times: coronavirus Guidance

Further education: coronavirus Detailed guide

Extra £10m for buses as school transport guidance published Press release

Transport guidance for further education institutions: coronavirus Guidance

The Education (School Day and School Year) (Wales) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 Legislation

Learner transport review extended to consider free travel limits for pupils Press release

Written Statement: Higher Education Admissions Cabinet statement

Communication to HEFCW on higher education admissions constraint  News story

Over £50 million to support Welsh universities, colleges and students  Press release Education and skills

The Relaxation of School Reporting Requirements (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 Legislation

New guidance to support September schools return  Press release 

Written statement: Publication of guidance to support educational settings increase their operations from September 2020  Cabinet statement 

Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term: Keep Education Safe (COVID-19) (13 July 2020)

Guidance on learning in schools and settings from the autumn term: Keep Education Safe (COVID-19) (13 July 2020)

Voice was consulted on both of the documents above, and Senior Professional Officer Elizabeth Williams contributed to paragraphs throughout the final version, particularly in the Staff Wellbeing section in the operational guidance.

Education Minister announces ‘back to school’ plans for September  Press release Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Written Statement: Arrangements for Schools in September and Technical Advisory Group paper Cabinet statement 

900 extra teaching staff in plan to “Recruit, recover and raise standards”  9 July 2020

Latest updates, 6 July 2020:

School categorisations to be suspended next year  Press release
The Welsh Government will suspend school categorisation for the 2020 to 2021 academic year, as part of its measures to reduce pressure on schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extra funding to support children over the summer holidays in Wales  Press release

Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill  Collection

Curriculum and Assessment Bill Timeline  Guidance

Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill: Overview Guidance

Written Statement: Introduction of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill  Cabinet statement

Higher education and student support: coronavirus  Detailed guide 

Written Statement: Changes to the publication of qualification awards data due to coronavirus  Cabinet statement 

Changes to the School Organisation Code: coronavirus Guidance

Changes to school session times: coronavirus  Guidance

Registering temporary pupils: coronavirusGuidance

Device and connectivity update for digitally excluded learners: coronavirus   30 June 2020

Written Statement: COVID-19 Testing in Schools  26 June 2020

Updates: 25 June 2020:

Modification of section 3 of the Education Act 1996 (Wales) Notice 2020  Legislation

Modification of School Organisation Code (Wales) Notice 2020  Legislation

The Maintained Schools (Amendment of paragraph 7 of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020) (Wales) Regulations 2020 Legislation

Disapplication of Changing School Session Times Requirements (Wales) Notice 2020 Legislation

Latest updates, 23/4 June 2020:

Joint statement from Welsh Government, WLGA and support staff trade unions (pdf) (24 June 2020)

Vulnerable children and young people: coronavirus Detailed guide

Notice to disapply curriculum requirements Legislation

Written statement: Creating Flexibility for Schools & Settings – Disapplication of the Basic Curriculum Cabinet statement

Whole-School Approach to Mental Health and Well-being Stakeholder Reference Group meeting: 17 February 2020 Meeting

Data sharing to support the standardisation of GCSE results in summer 2020 Guidance

The Curriculum Requirements (Amendment of paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020) (Wales) Regulations 2020 Legislation

Frequently asked questions about how schools can work from 29 June 2020 incl:

  • Anti-body testing •
  • Updated link to guidance on face coverings
  • Foundation Phase nursery provision 

Latest updates, 18-22 June 2020:

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus  Detailed guide

Revised guidance for schools in Wales: supporting children eligible for free school meals Detailed guide

A level Welsh first language: government response Report

Written statement: school and community-based counselling operating toolkit (revised 2020) Cabinet statement

Relaxation of school reporting requirements Consultation

School and community-based counselling operating toolkit  Guidance

Guidance

Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus

Detailed guide

Updates: 17 June 2020:

 

Schools Increasing Operations from 29 June

 

Updated guidance and FAQs for Governing Bodies and others

 

 
 
 
Voice Cymru welcomes this detailed guidance and encourages members to get in touch to let us know whether the system appears to be working well.

School staff and their employment: coronavirus  Updated guidance

Recording attendance in schools and settings from 29 June: coronavirus  Detailed guide 

Education Minister’s message to all school staff in Wales  12 June 2020

Guidance published to help schools, colleges and childcare settings  10 June 2020 Press release

Written Statement: Publication of guidance to support educational settings increase capacity 10 June 2020 Cabinet statement

Written Statement: The Childcare Offer and Coronavirus Childcare Assistance Scheme 9 June 2020
We will be maintaining the suspension of new applications for the Childcare Offer for Wales for a further two months, that is, until at least the end of August. During this period our local authority delivery partners will not accept or process new applications, and no children will start their entitlement under the Offer.

Updates; 4/5 June:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Temporary guidance for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) partnerships  Guidance

Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus Detailed guide

Further education: coronavirus Detailed guide

Our latest understanding of COVID-19 with respect to children and education Document (3 June 2020)

“Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September” – all schools in Wales to enter next phase (3 June 2020)

Further education: coronavirus  Detailed guide  27 May 2020

Higher education and student support: coronavirus  Detailed guide  27 May 2020

School opening times and services: coronavirus Detailed guide 27 May 2020

Plan launched to support education for over-16s  Press release 20 May 2020: 

20 May 2020 Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Education and skills

Stay Safe. Stay Learning: supporting the education system   Guidance 18 May 2020
Guidance for governing bodies, headteachers and practitioners about what they are being asked to do to support continuity of learning, and how the actions taken will be supported.

Unlocking our society and economy: Wales’ roadmap published  15 May 2020

The decision framework for the next phase of education and childcare: considerations, planning and challenges (pdf)

School staff and their employment: coronavirus Detailed guide (updated) 15 May 2020

Revised guidance for schools in Wales: supporting children eligible for free school meals  Detailed guide 14 May 2020

Vulnerable children and young people: coronavirus  Detailed guide 3 May 2020

Situation for schools will not change on June 1st, Education Minister says  7 May 2020

School admission appeals: coronavirus (COVID-19)  Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Education and skills  5 May 2020

Awarding of vocational qualifications: letter 5 May 2020 Guidance Education and skills  5 May 2020

The Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 Legislation Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Education and skills  4 May 2020

Supporting students and universities dealing with the impact of coronavirus Press release 4 May 2020

Higher education policy statement: coronavirus Policy and strategy 4 May 2020

Updates 29/30 April 2020:

School opening times and services: coronavirus Detailed guide

Extra £3 million to support ‘digitally excluded’ learners in Wales Press release 

Oral Statement: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cabinet statement Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Education and skills

Youth work newsletters News story Interim Youth Work Board

School staff and their employment: coronavirus Detailed guide

Updates:

Written Statement: COVID-19 Recovery Phase Planning: operation of schools, Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education 27 April 2020

Education Minister sets out five key principles for schools’ return 27 April 2020 Press release
Voice welcomes this guidance and the fact that the first principle focuses explicitly on the safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff.

Higher education and student support: coronavirus 23 April 2020 Detailed guide

Key (critical) workers testing policy: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Policy sets out a needs-based approach testing criteria for NHS and non-NHS workers (key workers). (18 April 2020)

Revised guidance for schools in Wales: supporting children eligible for free school meals (22 April 2020)

Five ways Wales is leading the way in delivering digital education services  20 April 2020 Press release

New guidance will help Wales stay safe and stay learning while dealing coronavirus impact 19 April 2020 Press release

Guidance for hubs and schools: coronavirus  17 April 2020

Written Statement: Results Day 2020  16 April 2020 

Increased support for children’s mental health following Covid-19 outbreak 16 April 2020 

School admission appeals: coronavirus (COVID-19) 16 April 2020 

Coronavirus: letter to our Special Educational Needs workforce  9 April 2020 

Notification to HEFCW of provisional funding allocation 9 April 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Temporary guidance for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) partnerships Guidance 

GCSE, AS and A-level cancellations: letter Guidance

Vulnerable children and safeguarding: coronavirus  Detailed guide 6 April 2020

Education safeguarding guidance: coronavirus Guidance 6 April 2020

Information for school governing bodies: coronavirus  2 April 2020

Coronavirus: Easter break message from Kirsty Williams 1 April 2020

Coronavirus: support for the supply sector 31 March 2020

School staff and their employment: coronavirus 31 March 2020 Detailed guide

School opening times and services: coronavirus   31 March 2020 Detailed guide

Coronavirus and childcare provision (30 March 2020)

Letter from Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams 30 March 2020 

Free school meals: revised coronavirus guidance for schools 30 March 2020 Detailed guide

Education Minister asks ‘national heroes’ to keep schools open for NHS and carers during school holidays 28 March 2020

Education Minister announces exam arrangements for years 10 and 12  27 March 2020

Further and higher education: coronavirus 26 March 2020 Detailed guide

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and statutory induction for newly qualified teachers in Wales: temporary guidance 25 March 2020

Health and well-being for school staff and learners: coronavirus 24 March

Work-based learning and apprenticeships: coronavirus  24 March 2020 Detailed guide

Examinations and assessments: coronavirus 24 March 2020 Detailed guide

Further and higher education: coronavirus 24 March 2020 Detailed guide

The latest advice on access to schools from Education Minister Kirsty Williams  (23 March 2020)

How schools will work during the coronavirus pandemic (23 March 2020)

Coronavirus and childcare provision (21 March 2020)

5 things you need to know before sending your children to school or childcare (coronavirus)  (22 March 2020)

Welsh Government makes £7 million available to support pupils while schools are closed (22 March 2020)

Diweddariad Addysg / Education Update Covid-19 (pdf) (22 March 2020)

School closures from 20 March 2020: FAQs  (20 March 2020)

Letter to all schools and settings (pdf) (19 March 2020)

Statement from Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, on school closures [and childcare] in Wales (18 March 2020)

Written Statement on Summer Examinations 2020 (18 March 2020)

Guidance to educational settings about COVID-19 (updated 11 March 2020)

Travel guidance (13 March 2020)

Distance learning resources through Hwb