A north Powys high school is to close after the coronavirus pandemic affected staffing levels, the county council has said.

Llanidloes High School will be closed to pupils from Wednesday, December 9 as they no longer have sufficient levels of staff to remain open safely.

All learners will receive online teaching up until Friday, December 18, the last day of term. The school will re-open to learners after the Christmas holiday, Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The senior leadership team at Llanidloes High School introduced a number of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of learners and staff during this pandemic.

“However, the school has a number of staff absent for a number of reasons including staff looking after young children who have been sent home to self-isolate, staff who have been told to self-isolate by Test Trace Protect Team and some who have family members who are symptomatic and are required to self-isolate.

“This has meant that the high school do not have sufficient levels to remain openly safely and will now close to pupils until Tuesday, January 5.

“Teaching staff at Llanidloes High School are committed to ensuring that all learners will receive online teaching over the next two weeks.

“We are asking parents/guardians to do all they can to ensure that their children are actively participating in their learning over this period.”

Further detail will be provided from the school to parents/guardians in due course.