Commenting on data released by Department for Education
reflecting the wider opening of schools last
week, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the
National Education Union, said:
“The figures released show what a very long way the
Government has to go to convince the nation’s parents and
teachers that a wider opening of schools is safe.
“Just 35% of eligible schools (state and independent)
opened any additional classes on Monday 1 June, this rose to 52%
by the end of the week. These reflect National Education Union
figures last week showing that 44% of state schools did not start
opening more widely on 1 June.
“Out of 2.4 million nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6
pupils, just 300,000 – one in eight - attended on Monday 1 June,
rising to 480,000 – one in five - by the end of the week.
[Analysis attached]
“These Government proposals were not discussed with unions
representing teachers, school leaders or support staff before
they were announced. We call on the Government to work with the
teaching profession and education unions to develop a secure plan
for the wider opening of schools and invest the necessary
resources to make it a success.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note
NEU wider opening survey, 3 June: https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/neu-survey-shows-realities-wider-opening
