Responding to concerns that some schools are struggling to cope
with demand for places for vulnerable children or those of
critical workers while also offering remote learning, Cllr
, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children
and Young People Board, said:
“School leaders and staff, supported by their
local councils, have worked incredibly hard to meet revised
guidance to keep schools open for the children of key workers and
those who are vulnerable while at the same time providing online
learning to the rest.
“However, it is clear that demand for places is
significantly higher during this national lockdown, meaning
schools have been placed in the invidious position of balancing
safe pupil numbers in school with the higher expectations of the
delivery of up to five hours a day of lessons
online.
“These challenges are exacerbated by reduced
on-site staffing levels in some schools, including clinically
extremely vulnerable staff and those self-isolating due to close
contact or positive test outcomes.
“With the new guidance putting no restrictions
on the maximum number of eligible children to be in school, and
considering the risk of transmitting coronavirus in light of the
new variant, it is vital that the Government and parents
recognise that schools will have to make tough decisions about
balancing a safe number of children who could be taught at school
while providing high quality online
learning.
“Schools and councils need to focus on
providing education during the pandemic, without any unnecessary
distractions. This is why we are also urging Ofsted to postpone
the resumption of monitoring inspections for schools, either
in-person or virtual, until after February half-term at the
earliest.
“Further clarity is needed to help
schools make safer and fairer decisions for their pupils, staff
and families.”
