Schools in Powys will not be re-opening to the majority of pupils amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant.

Pupils who are vulnerable learners, and those with parents or carers who are key workers, as well as pupils who need to complete exams will be able to go to school from Wednesday, January 6.

Powys County Council had announced on Monday afternoon that all pupils would return to school next week. However, just hours later the Welsh government announced that schools would actually not be returning until a week later on January 18 at the earliest. 

READ MORE:

Schools will now offer online learning from this Wednesday onwards for those learners who will be at home.

Maintained 3+ settings and also childcare for key workers with school-aged children will continue.

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education at Powys County Council, said: "Our intention was for our learners to return to school later this week following the Christmas holidays.

“However, we continue to be in the grip of this pandemic that continues to raise a number of challenges which we have to adjust and adapt accordingly.

"Things are moving rapidly across Wales and the UK, and we need to ensure that we are responsive so that our pupils, families and staff are as safe as we can make things.

“This decision has not been taken lightly but given the new coronavirus variant and that Wales is still in tier 4 restrictions, it is only right that we delay the return of all learners to schools.”