ALMOST four in five schools in Wrexham county are affected by absences due to coronavirus, according to official figures.
In data released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) Wrexham county council revealed just 15 schools out of 69 listed did not have any staff or pupils self-isolating.
The information gives the fullest indication yet of what the council is dealing with, in its snapshot of the position at September 29.
It highlights the magnitude and complexity of the problems local authorities face trying to keep schools safe for staff and pupils.
The worst affected school is Ysgol Morgan Llwyd Community High in Wrexham, which had 144 pupils self-isolating to contain the virus.
However many schools have managed to isolate small clusters of pupils, and in some cases staff, to keep coronavirus at bay.
While the county is doing all it can, it can only manage the risk within the confines of each school.
Chief education officer for Wrexham county council, Karen Evans, said: “It is impossible for schools to monitor what students do outside of school time.
“It is therefore important for parents and carers to know where their children are and what they are doing.
“They should not be mixing with friends who attend different schools, for example.
“We ask for the support of parents and carers in this to reduce the spread of the virus and the impact on schools.”
While the majority of schools remain open, all pupils and staff at Rhosnesni High School had to stay away on Monday of this week so specialist workers could “deep clean” the buildings.
It’s a major logistical feat, keeping places of learning open, safe and accessible.
Schools have undergone risk assessments and have measures in place to protect staff and pupils but are geared up to provide remote learning if needed.
Karen Evans added: “If any pupil or member of staff tests positive some pupils and staff will be asked to self-isolate for two weeks.
“The extent of the group asked to self-isolate will depend on the individual school’s organisational plans, the building layout and to what extent pupils have been able to be kept separate during the school day, and staff availability.
“Sometimes, information about positive test outcomes can be received late in the evening or over a weekend, so, in the first instance, it is sensible to take a cautious approach and ask the entire cohort to self-isolate to ensure pupil safety.
“There is then the opportunity to review the situation and movements of the pupil who tested positive to see if it’s possible to reduce the numbers of pupils self-isolating.
“There has to be certainty there has not been the opportunity for cross-contamination before relaxing any advice.”
Full list of school pupils and numbers of staff self-isolating, as at September 29:
Acrefair: 5 pupils
Acton Park Community Primary, Wrexham: <5 pupils
Alexandra Community Primary, Wrexham: 8 pupils
All Saints Voluntary Aided Primary, Gresford: 0
Barkers Lane Community Primary, Wrexham: 0
Black Lane Community Primary, Pentre Broughton: <5 staff; 5 pupils
Borderbrook Voluntary Controlled Primary , Talwrn Green: 0
Borras Park School, Wrexham: <5 staff; 6 pupils
Bronington Voluntary Aided: <5 pupils
Brynteg Community Primary: <5 staff; 5 pupils
Bwlchgwyn Community Primary: 0
Cefn Mawr Community Primary: <5 staff; 49 pupils
Eyton Voluntary Controlled Primary: 5 pupils
Froncysyllte Community Primary: <5 staff; <5 pupils
Garth Community Primary: <5 pupils
Gwenfro Community Primary School, Wrexham: 12 pupils
Gwersyllt Community Primary School: <5 staff; 16 pupils
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary School, Wrexham: <5 staff; 25 pupils
Holt Community Primary: 0
Llanarmon DC: 0
Ysgol Y Hafod, Johnstown: 0
Madras Voluntary Aided Primary, Penley: <5 pupils
Minera Voluntary Aided Primary: 7 pupils
Park Community Primary, Llay: 8 pupils
Pentre Voluntary Controlled, Chirk: 0
Penycae Community Primary: <5
Penygelli Community Primary, Coedpoeth: 6
Rhosddu Community Primary, Wrexham: 8
Rhostyllen Community Primary: 6
Rhosymedre Community Primary: 5
Rofft Community Primary, Marford: <5 staff; <5 pupils
St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Wrexham: <5 pupils
St. Anne’s Voluntary Aided Primary, Wrexham: 6 pupils
St. Chads Voluntary Aided Primary, Hanmer: <5 pupils
St. Mary’s Voluntary Aided Primary, Overton-On-Dee: <5 staff; 5 pupils
St. Mary’s Voluntary Aided Primary, Ruabon: <5 staff
St. Mary’s RC, Wrexham: <5 staff; <5 pupils
St. Mary’s Voluntary Aided, Brymbo: 5 staff; 32 pupils
St. Paul’s Voluntary Aided Primary, Isycoed: 0
St. Peter’s Voluntary Controlled Primary, Rossett: 0
Tanyfron Community Primary: <5 staff; <5 pupils
Victoria Community Primary School, Wrexham: <5 staff; <5 pupils
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary, Wrexham: 7 pupils
Ysgol Bodhyfryd Community Primary, Wrexham: <5 pupils
Ysgol Bro Alun Comminity Primary School, Wrexham: <5 staff; 29 pupils
Ysgol Bryn Tabor Community Primary, Coedpoeth: 0
Ysgol Cynddelw Primary School, Glyn Ceiriog: <5 staff; 6 pupils
Ysgol Deiniol Community Primary, Marchwiel: <5 pupils
Ysgol Heulfan Gwersyllt: <5 pupils
Ysgol I.D. Hooson Community Primary, Rhos: <5 staff
Ysgol Maes Y Llan Community Primary, Ruabon: 5 pupils
Ysgol Maes Y Mynydd Community Primary, Rhos: 11 pupils
Ysgol Min y Ddol Community Primary, Cefn Mawr: <5 pupils
Ysgol Penrhyn Community Primary, New Broughton: <5 staff
Ysgol Plas Coch Community Primary, Wrexham: 0
Ysgol Sant Dunawd Community Primary, Bangor-0n-Dee: <5 staff
Ysgol Y Waun Community Primary, Chirk: <5 pupils
St. Christopher’s Community Special School, Wrexham: <5 staff; 15 pupils
Darland Community High School, Rossett: <5 staff; <5 pupils
Ysgol Y Grango Community High School, Rhos: 15 pupils
Ysgol Bryn Alyn Community High School, Gwersyllt: <5 staff; 19 pupils
Ysgol Rhiwabon Community High School, Ruabon: <5 staff: 14 pupils
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd Community High School, Wrecsam: 144 pupils
Ysgol Clywedog Community High School, Wrexham: 20 pupils
St. Joseph’s Catholic & Anglican Aided School, Wrexham: 15 pupils
The Maelor Foundation School, Penley: <5 pupils
Rhosnesni Community High School, Wrexham: <5 pupils
Haulfan PRU: 0
Penycae PRU: 0
Wrexham Early Years Centre: 0
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