Commenting as the government announces the removal of isolation
rules, or ‘bubbles’, in schools, and the easing of Covid safety
restrictions, Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of school
leaders’ union NAHT, said:
“No school leader wants to have restrictions in place any longer
than are needed, but there will be a sense of real concern
amongst many that the worsening situation they see before their
eyes is at odds with the government’s narrative of relaxation and
return to normality. Schools have seen a near doubling of
children contracting COVID-19, with 28,000 confirmed cases
reported in the last week alone. School leaders and parents alike
will want more reassurance than has been given so far that
removal of restrictions are supported by scientific evidence, not
driven by political convenience.
“It is certainly about time that NHS test and trace step forward
to take responsibility from school leaders for contact tracing
and managing outbreaks. However, it would be extremely concerning
if government were to lurch from one extreme to the other, should
there be no clear requirement on pupils that have come into very
close contact with Covid to test and remain at home for that
short period whilst awaiting results. We urge government to set
out expectations and clarify how this will work in practice.
“The government must also now urgently consider what else it can
be doing to protect school communities. In other parts of the
world we are seeing action being taken on issues such as
ventilation in classrooms – that is precisely the sort of thing
that should be happening here too. Rather than trying to actually
tackle the problem, there is a real risk that the government has
simply stored up more for the term ahead. A failure to get to
grip with Covid cases in schools not only increases the risk for
those in the school community, including the most vulnerable, but
it runs the risk of actually lead to further disruption in
September. Whilst the government may be hoping for the best come
Autumn, it must plan for the worst.
“From September, all schools have been told that they will need
to have in place contingency plans, should there be a Covid
outbreak amongst pupils, which could trigger reintroduction of
restrictions on a school-by-school basis. By shifting
responsibility to schools for development and implementation of
continency arrangements, Government must not simply wash their
hands of the problem. Going forward, it is essential that school
leaders are given the full backing of government to do what is
necessary to maintain education and keep pupils and the school
community safe.”
