Commenting on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s comments
about schools reopening to all pupils in September, Geoff Barton,
General Secretary of the Association of School and College
Leaders, said:
“We fully support the government’s aim of bringing all pupils
back into schools and colleges from September, if the science
confirms it is safe to do so. We are committed to working with
officials and ministers on this national mission.
“But full return will not be possible under current government
guidelines which limit class sizes to 15. We would need twice as
many classrooms, and twice as many teachers.
“The Education Secretary has today indicated that there will be
further guidance in the next two weeks which we assume will set
out new safety measures in line with scientific and medical
advice that will allow for a full return from September.
“We hope to discuss this guidance with the Department for
Education at the earliest opportunity in order to provide
constructive feedback.
“It is very important that this guidance is supplied to schools
and colleges as soon as possible. They are doing their best to
put in place plans for September but they have so far had to do
this in the dark without any input from the government.
“They also urgently need answers about what is envisaged in terms
of exams and assessments next year so that they can plan
accordingly.”
