A snapshot survey of 4,016 members of the National Education
Union, reveals continued problems with health and safety even
before wider opening.
After two months in lockdown, and with significantly fewer
pupils attending, there are persistent issues around measures to
minimise the spread of Covid-19.
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Almost a quarter (22%) say that pupil numbers have not
been kept low enough to allow social distancing.
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A significant number (26%) are concerned that pupil
numbers are too large to allow social distancing when moving
around their school.
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41% report that their school does not have sufficient
sinks for children to regularly wash their hands.
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A quarter of respondents (24%) state that hand sanitiser
is not available in all classrooms or at entrance/exit
points.
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The majority (53%) report they do not have lidded bins in
each classroom.
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The same number (53%) report they are not being offered
appropriate PPE.
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One third (31%) believe the arrangements for cleaning
their classroom are inadequate.
It is clear from the findings of this survey that when
pupil intake increases, and for so long as the Government fails
to meet the NEU’s five tests, the health and safety issues facing
heads, teachers and school staff will grow.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Mary Bousted,
Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union,
said:
“It is the duty of Government to ensure that we are kept as
safe as possible through this pandemic. No one is saying we can
only go back when it is 100% safe, but this has not been thought
through properly. As this survey of NEU members shows,
significant numbers of teachers and school staff are confirming
that basic health and safety guidelines outlined by Government
are not being observed.
“Hurtling towards an arbitrary wider opening date without
either sufficient scientific evidence or protection in place is
simply wrong. Neither Scotland, Northern Ireland nor Wales have
decided the time is right. Many schools will not be abiding by
the Government’s preferred wider opening date and none will be
penalised as a result. Schools in England need to know they are
opening more widely on the basis of sound scientific evidence,
not a political whim.”
Editor’s Note
The survey of 4,016 members working in state
nursery and primary schools in England was conducted between
26-28 May 2020.
