One in five teachers who are shielding because they have been
identified by the NHS as being clinically extremely vulnerable to
coronavirus have been told to go into school, a survey by NASUWT
– The Teachers’ Union has found.
And amid concerns some schools are not implementing effective
measures to control the spread of Coronavirus, three quarters of
teachers are being expected to clean their own classrooms and
equipment regularly.
As more schools reopen to pupils, our survey has found that
teachers still have significant concerns over their own safety
and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Seven in ten (72%) teachers believed that it was not safe for
more pupils to return to their school and only 14% believed that
it was safe.
Of 20,617 teachers who responded to the NASUWT survey, 5% said
they had been advised by the NHS that they were clinically
extremely vulnerable (shielded) and should not leave home.
Of those teachers, asked if they had been asked to attend school
nevertheless, a shocking 20% answered yes.
Three quarters (74%) said they had to clean down their classrooms
and equipment on a regular basis. More than a third (36%) did not
see cleaning staff throughout the day and 54% did not see any
cleaning of staff toilets between uses.
Teachers said schools had implemented extensive measures to
mitigate the risk from Coronavirus, including bubbles, smaller
class sizes, one-way systems, staggered breaks and lunches and
different start and finish times but that some were less
effective than others and their application was often
inconsistent, including social distancing between adults.
When asked whether they had access to PPE items when it was
required, 42% said they did not have access to safety glasses or
goggles, 27% did not have access to overalls/protective aprons
and 24% did not have access to masks and face coverings.
BAME teachers were more likely to state that they did not have
access to equipment including safety glasses or goggles (49%);
overalls/protective aprons (33%); masks and face coverings (34%).
When asked whether they felt safe following the provisions and
response that schools have introduced, more BAME teachers stated
they did not feel safe (32%) compared to their colleagues (18%).
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“Teachers are working extremely hard and with absolute dedication
to provide high-quality learning for their pupils, be that to
children in school or to those still at home through online
learning and support.
“But many do not feel safe and the overwhelming majority of them
feel it is not yet safe to open schools to more children whilst
safe social distancing and access to PPE continue to be major
concerns.
“In the absence of government guidance schools have been left to
take measures to meet health and safety standards, but as our
members have told us there is an inconsistent use of those
measures to prevent coronavirus spread and reduce risks to staff
and pupils.
“Effective cleaning is vital to prevent the spread of infection,
and must be carried out by properly trained cleaning staff using
appropriate materials. It is particularly concerning that
teachers are reporting no cleaning staff being on duty. Schools
must ensure cleaning staff are available throughout the school
day to carry out regular cleaning.This must not be left to
teachers to do.
“To hear that teachers who are shielding because they are
clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus are being forced
to go into school is shocking and an absolute scandal.
“The NASUWT will not hesitate to challenge these unacceptable
actions by employers which is threatening the health of teachers.
The welfare of our members and the pupils they teach remains our
top priority.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A survey headlines document is attached. The NASUWT conducted a
snapshot survey of the experiences of NASUWT members following
the wider reopening of schools on 1st June.
The survey was carried out between the evening of Thursday 4th
June and the evening of Sunday 7th June and attracted 20,617
responses from across England and from a range of types of
schools and school settings.
