A teaching union is calling for a delay to the reopening of schools in January as the Government hopes to push ahead with its new year plan.
This call comes after government minister Michael Gove confirmed yesterday that only primary, Year 11 and 13 pupils, as well as the children of key workers, will return to school on January 4th, with all other children being taught remotely for at least the first week of January.
“We always keep things under review but teachers and head teachers have been working incredibly hard over the Christmas period since schools broke up in order to prepare for a new testing regime – community testing – in order to make sure that children and all of us are safer,” he Said.
“We do keep things under review but that is the plan.”
Officials from Downing Street and the Department for Education are due to discuss the issue amid concerns over the spread of a new strain of coronavirus.
Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, wrote to the Education Secretary on Monday demanding further action on school safety.
The letter calls for Gavin Williamson to allow schools to move to remote learning for all pupils, except those deemed to be vulnerable or the children of key workers, in the highest tier areas.
“Delaying the return of pupils to schools and colleges at the start of the spring term will also enable all school and college employers to undertake and consult as required on new risk assessments and ensure that they can be compliant with any new measures or requirements contained in any forthcoming national guidance,” it says.
The union is also asking the Government to publish new safety guidance in light of the new Covid-19 variant, introduce mandatory face coverings within schools and give staff priority access to the vaccine.
