ASCL responds to SAGE warning over 'exponential increases’ in school coronavirus infections

Commenting on the release of a report to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M), warning of ‘exponential increases’ in coronavirus infections in secondary schools, Julie McCulloch, Director of Policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“It is extremely worrying to see scientific advisers concluding that exponential increases of coronavirus infections are highly likely in school-age children and demonstrates that the situation is on a knife-edge as the new term approaches.

“We simply cannot have another term of disruption and it is vital that the government is ready to respond rapidly to any upsurge in infections with more support for schools and colleges.

“The government has published a contingency framework which maps out a series of measures in response to outbreaks of coronavirus. But there is a real danger that this will become the normal state of affairs with various measures being implemented on a local basis.

“This is clearly a recipe for chaos, and the government cannot once again allow a situation to develop in which attendance unravels, and children experience yet more disruption. It would also be helpful to hear from the JCVI sooner rather than later about the possibility of offering vaccinations to 12 to 15-year-olds.”