EDUCATION chiefs have pencilled in a new date for the return to school in the new year.

Children in Ceredigion will move to online learning from Monday and schools have now been given two additional days in the new year to prepare for the return of pupils.

This means that the new school term in Ceredigion will begin for pupils on Friday, 7 January 2022.

To ensure everyone’s safety, all school staff and secondary school pupils are asked to take lateral flow tests (LFT) three times during the week before returning to school, including Monday 3 January, Wednesday 5 January and Friday morning 7 January.

Staff and secondary school pupils should continue to take lateral flow tests three times a week from then on too after returning to school.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety whilst also maintaining an appropriate education provision for our pupils.

“We are very grateful to our school staff for their commitment and hard work, meeting the challenges of the coronavirus and continuing to provide high quality education at the same time, whether in person or remotely.

“We also thank parents for their support during this challenging time and thank pupils for responding so well to all situations.”

With cases rising in the county, no one should attend school if they have any symptoms associated with the coronavirus.