Gwynedd school classes closed due to staff illness, contingency plan in place

A Gwynedd school had to temporarily shut some classes due to “staff illness”.
Cyngor Gwynedd is now working with Ysgol Pendalar, a special education school based in Caernarfon, on a contingency plan to prevent any further disruption.
It followed speculation that the school was having to shut classrooms due to a shortage of teaching assistants.
In response, a Cyngor Gwynedd spokesperson said: “We are aware that staff illness at Ysgol Pendalar has resulted in some classes being closed for a short time.
“We understand the frustration and upset this may cause the pupils and their families and we are working with the school on a contingency plan to prevent further disruption to lessons.
“The education sector has reported a national shortage of classroom assistants across Wales, which can impact a school’s resilience when it comes to matters such as staff illness.”
Responding to questions over whether pay for teaching assistants should be increased to help tackle such issues, the spokesperson said “staff salaries at Gwynedd schools are comparable with other local government employers”.

By Dale Spridgeon – Local Democracy Reporter