Will Ministers Back Down To Union Demands And Keep Schools Shut?

Teaching unions and councils who want to keep schools closed are increasing pressure on the Government to rethink plans for a June 1 opening.

- Sarah O’Grady

Calderdale Council in West Yorkshire has joined Liverpool, Bury and Hartlepool in advising their schools to stay closed.

Pupils are due to start returning from next month – beginning with reception, Years 1 and 6 – with half-sized classes, one-way corridors and staggered breaks.

But teachers’ union NASUWT claims only five per cent of teachers believe it will be safe for children to return next month.

A survey, of nearly 29,000 members in England, found nine in 10 teachers consider social distancing will be impossible or will present major issues.

A similar proportion are not confident that the proposed measures will protect their health or the health of pupils. Some 87 per cent of teachers believe that PPE is essential to protect staff.

Union bosses, who want members to stay at home through the summer, also warn it will “not be safe” to mark pupils’ books.