PRIMARY schools in Ceredigion will shut on Monday afternoon, four days early, despite assurances from the council last Friday that all schools would stay open until the end of term.

Schools will provide distance learning from Tuesday, 15 December to the end of term on Friday 18 December.

The decision comes as numbers of coronavirus cases are increasing rapidly across Wales, including in Ceredigion, and to give 10 days before Christmas day in the possible event of pupils or families needing to self-isolate.

"Schools are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain staffing levels as increased numbers of staff and their families are identified as contacts or experience symptoms and organise tests. Schools have limited staffing options due of the need to separate contact groups to prevent the spread of the virus. We are concerned that this situation will continue to worsen in the coming week," said Ysgol Plascrug headteacher Berian Lewis in a letter to parents.