Stephen Morgan responds to new research on classroom ventilation

Stephen Morgan MP, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister, responding to new research finding 74% of teachers are disappointed in the government’s lack of action on ventilation, with 27% working in classrooms without windows that open, said:

“The government’s incompetence and complacency on classroom ventilation is failing children and school staff.

“The government’s last-minute and inadequate preparations will leave thousands of schools without any ventilation support and with no choice but to open windows in the depths of winter, with children wrapped up in coats and heating bills skyrocketing.

“Ministers must get a proper ventilation plan in place that gives staff, children and parents confidence that learning can continue safely in class.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• The government’s announcement of 7,000 air purifiers, made just days before the start of this term, compares to more than 300,000 classes of children across England leaving hundreds of thousands of classrooms with no ventilation support. https://inews.co.uk/news/7000-air-purifiers-promised-schools-nowhere-near-enough-cover-300000-classrooms-1379093

• Pupil and class numbers - https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics

• New research from Professor Paul Linden and the PHS Group has found that teachers are concerned about the government’s ‘open windows’ policy, among teachers surveyed