Ceredigion County Council’s support for schools during lockdown has been praised by education inspection body Estyn.

A report from Estyn following a review of all local authorities’ work in supporting learning communities in schools and pupil referral units during March to October 2020 was presented to Cabinet on Tuesday, 2 February.

Cabinet member for schools Cllr Catrin Miles said it was a “very positive report regarding the work that Ceredigion does”.

Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn added she would like to “formally congratulate” education lead officer Meinir Ebbsworth and her team for the work they had done “leading the schools in this difficult time”.

Virtual meetings were held with officers, Cabinet members and a sample of schools, with documentation and feedback surveys of school/PRU leaders, governors, teachers and support staff, parents and pupils all considered in the review.

It highlighted “through well-organised, careful and comprehensive” support for schools and its PRU with unanimous appreciation of support given by headteachers across Ceredigion.

The report adds that wok with headteachers and staff resulted in “clear and comprehensive guidance for schools” about distance learning and training for staff to take on the new ways of teaching.

A proactive approach was also employed when it came to reopening schools, it adds, while there was also support for children of key workers, vulnerable children, and non-maintained settings.

The report will be discussed further at the council’s audit committee later this month.