HSE praise for Swansea schools’ Covid-19 response

Pupils and staff at Swansea schools have been praised for their commitment to abiding by Covid-19 regulations following spot inspections by the Health and Safety Executive.

The Health and Safety Executive carried out spot-check inspections of a sample of 10 Swansea schools. The schools were seen to demonstrate clear examples of how pupils and staff at schools had made their response to the virus part of their daily routines while keeping school life as normal as possible.

Jennifer Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said the HSE inspections were a strong testimony to how well schools in Swansea are responding to the challenges of managing the virus. Pentrehafod Comprehensive School as well as St David’s Primary School and Ysgol Crug Glas did particularly well in the inspections.

She said: “Pupils at Pentrehafod Comprehensive, Ysgol Crug Glas and St David’s are clearly setting the standards for communities across Swansea. If they can do their bit to stop the spread of the virus, then the rest of us should be following their lead.”

Cllr Raynor added: “The inspector said it was clear to him how well embedded Covid-19 spread prevention activities were in school life and how well-motivated staff and pupils at schools were in maintaining them. He also praised the role that the council played in engaging with the schools supporting them with their preparations.”

The HSE inspector said school behaviours demonstrated the level of compliance with social distancing and hand washing that meet the expected guidance.

He said the council had shown a high level of engagement with schools, providing them with guidance and detailed practical support. This level of engagement had allowed for a consistent approach to dealing with the risk.

The close working relationship between the schools and council public health and safety team along with the engagement with HSE during the inspection process demonstrated a transparent approach to assurance.

School staff at Ysgol Crug Glas were praised on how well they’ve adapted their special working practices to maintain education delivery and the high levels of care and support provided to the pupils.

Harvey Wild, HSE’s Head of Transport and Public Services Unit, said: “We have been engaged with local authorities across Wales to support schools to manage the changes they’ve had to introduce to protect pupils and staff from the spread of the virus and to minimise disruption to education activities as much as possible.

“We can see that schools in Swansea are doing all they can within their settings to apply Welsh Government and Public Health Wales regulations and guidance in their daily routines.

“It is encouraging to see young people, staff and governors and council support teams working together to keep children safe and demonstrating compliance with Covid-19 arrangements. All schools and workplaces need to be COVID-secure and should follow the latest government guidance to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.”

The schools inspected by the HSE were:

• Clydach Primary
• YGG Gellionnen
• YG Lon Las
• St Davids Primary School
• Ysgol Crug Glas
• Llangyfelach Primary School
• YG Bryntawe Comprehensive School
• YGG Gwyr Comprehensive School
• Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School
• Pentrehafod Comprehensive School