Part of 3. Questions to the Minister for Education – in the Senedd at 3:28 pm on 10 February 2021.
Thank you, Mark. Quite rightly, as you identify, schools continue to provide education on site for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. The two are mutually exclusive; you do not need to be a child with additional learning needs and the child of a key worker to access that provision. And I am very grateful to all of those involved in our special schools and our pupil referral units, as well as our mainstream schools, for providing that support at this time. I'm glad to hear, Mark, that our correspondence to you regarding the contents of our guidance was helpful in assisting your constituents, and I would urge you to write to me once again with the case that you outline. There is considerable flexibility with regard to vulnerability, but we are very clear that, where at all possible, vulnerable children should be able to access face-to-face learning. But, if you would like to write to me, I will do my very best to endeavour to help you once again.