Education Minister Kirsty Williams has confirmed that the youngest children in Cowbridge and the rest of Wales will return to school for in-person teaching starting from after February half-term.

Speaking at a press conference today Ms Williams said they were not yet in a position to see a full return to school for everyone, but that from Monday 22 February Foundation Phase learners will start to return to school.

She added that schools would be open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as those taking exams or assessments and learners in special schools.

"We have prioritised our youngest learners because of the favourable evidence on transmission in younger children, and also because we know they find it difficult to learn remotely," she told the briefing.

"Small numbers of vocational learners, including apprentices, will also be able to return to colleges.

"Again, this is because of difficulties with remote learning, as they will need to access training or workplace environments in order to undertake their practical qualifications.

"Following productive discussions with our union colleagues and local authority and further education partners, we are introducing a number of additional measures to provide staff with an added level of assurance for their safe return to face to face teaching.

"This includes the introduction of twice weekly testing for staff members as well as increased financial support for new face coverings.

"We are providing an additional £5m to support schools, colleges and local authorities to invest further in items they need to keep their premises safe."

The Education Minister made a plea to all learners, parents and carers at the end of her briefing.

She said there should not be any play dates, sleepovers or birthday parties when schools do return in mid February.

Ms Williams urged people to continue to follow the guidelines: "By following the guidance restricting contact with others, we are ensuring children and young people are able to do what we all want, which is to be back learning with their friends."

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Chris Jones said: "The Technical Advisory Group has published a new paper today showing the current position of the pandemic in Wales and providing advice about how schools could start to safely reopen.

"We are clear that the ability to relax the current restrictions remains limited by the presence of the new variant, which is more transmissible than before.

"However, with R currently below 1, there is some headroom for a phased return of primary school children, who have a lower risk of infection but who are at risk of harm while not in school.

"To enable restrictions to be eased in any way, we need to see positive trends in a range of data.

"I am pleased to say that case numbers, levels of community transmission and test positivity rates are decreasing."