Commenting on the publication of the DfE guidance for the wider
reopening of schools, colleges and early years providers from
September, NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach, said:
“We want to see all children back in schools as soon as it is
safe to do so.
“Whilst the Government has published this latest guidance, it
remains unfortunate that it has still not come forward with a
plan to secure public confidence and ensure the safe return of
all children to schools in September.
“Without a clear plan from the Government, there is still a risk
of further confusion and uncertainty.
“The Government’s guidance for the full reopening of schools is
predicated on the assumption that virus transmission rates will
continue to fall.
“However, there will be many questions for parents and for
teachers and other staff working in schools about safe reopening,
which is what we all want to see.
“The Government will need to provide clarity in response to the
latest evidence of virus transmission amongst under 18 year olds
which has contributed to the local lockdown in the city of
Leicester.
“The scientific basis underpinning the Government’s decision to
relax protective measures in schools also needs to be explained,
including the decision to expand pupil bubbles to include entire
year group cohorts.
“It remains essential that teachers with underlying health
conditions, including clinically vulnerable and clinically
extremely vulnerable staff, are not put at risk as a result of
the decisions taken by schools on full reopening.
“Employers must also ensure they act responsibly in ensuring that
their decisions on full reopening do not further widen racial
disparities in Covid-19 transmission and deaths.
“Ensuring that schools are kept clean as all pupils return is
essential to preventing the spread of the Coronavirus, and we
will be looking to the Government to provide the additional
resources needed to enable all schools to do that.
“In every other workplace it is accepted that hand washing,
social distancing and PPE are critical elements of covid-safe
working practices. It is essential that the same health and
safety expectations are applied in schools as they are in other
workplaces.
“We welcome that the Government’s guidance for the first time
reminds schools of their statutory duties for health and safety.
However, the Government also needs to have in place a clear
health and safety inspection and enforcement regime to give
parents and teachers the reassurance they will need.”
