Commenting on the publication of a Government action plan to
tackle the spread of Coronavirus, Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“It is essential we keep both pupils and staff safe as the
Coronavirus spreads. Public Health England has deemed widespread
transmission ‘highly likely’, and we have no reason to doubt
this. We will continue to listen to PHE for the most current and
informed advice.
“Schools have an important role to play, but we are concerned
about suggestions in recent days that larger class sizes will be
recommended for indefinite periods. These will benefit no one – a
cramped classroom will not keep pupils safe, potentially doing
more harm than good and arguably work directly against the
‘social distancing’ recommended in the action plan. It will not
provide peace of mind for parents. Teachers will be angered at
the prospect of an already strained service – with fewer teaching
assistants in most schools – having to stretch further. For our
members this could set a terrible precedent, that a relaxation of
regulations is merely a stepping-stone towards a future norm
which sets back the clock on safe and practical working
conditions.
“We see nothing in these contingency plans about school trips,
nor the implications for exam season and the grading of schools
by league table and Ofsted. All will be at the forefront of the
minds of teachers and school leaders across the UK. The NEU will
be raising these issues with the Department for Education so that
no undue damage is done to our schools and their staff in both
the short and long term.”
