Rational to keep schools open until the end of Christmas term 2020 (FOI)

Request

On Friday 4 December 2020 the decision was made to keep Jersey schools open until the end of term. This decision was made by Senator Tracey Vallois after advice and meetings during the day.

I would like to know the following:

The written advice the Minister received from STAC. The written advice the Minister received from the Director General of CYPES and Director of Education and Schools The minutes and attendance record from meetings held on that day which included the Minister discussing the potential closure of schools.

Response

Please see attached, a letter dated 3 December 2020 from the chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC) to the Minister for Education as well as the Ministerial Briefing Paper titled “Whether to close schools early before Christmas – prior to scheduled closure date of Friday 18 December”

Health Advice on the continuation of Physical Schooling

Ministerial Briefing Paper dated 3 December 2020

A Ministerial briefing took place on 3 December 2020 which was attended by the Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Education, Private Secretary and Officers from the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills: Director General, Group Director of Education, Head of Office and Head of Communications. The above briefing paper was discussed; no formal minutes of the briefing have been drafted.