Leading Conwy councillor says she will send her own children to school when they reopen – but supports those who won’t

A county council cabinet member for education says she will be sending her children back to school after reading Welsh Government’s scientific reasoning.

Councillor Julie Fallon, who holds the schools portfolio on Conwy council said her son, who is in secondary education, and her daughter, who attends primary school, will go back when schools reopen on June 29.

However Cllr Fallon, who represents Deganwy within the authority, said she will “fully support” the decisions of families who opt not to send children back.

She said in a public statement on Facebook that there had been no new coronavirus cases in Conwy on June 4, something she called “a positive step”.

Her statement read: “There will be a maximum of one third of children in school at any one time.

“It is a personal choice for each family to decide if they are happy for their children to return and I’m happy that the government has made it a voluntary return.

“I do feel that the approach being taken is cautious and measured. Every school will undergo a risk assessment and every detail will be managed in a well planned and structured way.

“There were no new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Conwy county yesterday. I realise this is one day but it’s a positive step.

“The R rate is expected to have halved by the time schools reopen.

“Putting all these things together both as the Cabinet Member for Education and as a mum with a child in secondary and a child in primary I feel comfortable in allowing my children to return to school.

“I fully support any decision families make in this area, it has to be a personal choice, just wanted to share my position with you. Take care.”

There will be a phased return to Conwy’s schools, with the details currently being thrashed out behind closed doors.

Welsh Education minister Kirsty Williams said the school re-openings were so school children could “Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September”.

Welsh Government announced it will publish further guidance this week, including information on managing facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.

Councils are working together to implement the new ways of working through GwE, the bilingual school effectiveness and improvement service for North Wales, of which all six councils in the region are members.

Public service union Unison has welcomed antibody testing for all school staff following the announcement.

The tests will be vital in spotting any  staff who have had Covid-19 and developed a resistance to the virus.

Initially only teachers were to be tested but Welsh Government changed the policy after complaints.

Rosie Lewis, Unison Wales schools lead, said: “We are pleased the Minister listened to our concerns, took them on board and rectified the matter quickly.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter