Laura Sharman 04 June 2020

Schools using 'professional judgement' on reopening, union finds

Just over a third of schools (35%) opened on the terms expected by the prime minister on 1 June, a union has found.

Research by the National Education Union (NEU) found 44% of schools did not open more widely to the any of the year groups, although they had remained open to look after key worker and vulnerable children.

The union also found clear regional variation in the proportion of schools meeting the government's criteria. Schools in the North East and North West of England were least likely to have opened to all eligible groups, with these regions having amongst the highest levels of Coronavirus.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: 'It was always reckless of Boris Johnson to set an arbitrary date and expect schools to fall in line.

'Heads and their staff know far more about their individual challenges than Whitehall ever will. As the regional variation according to coronavirus levels show, schools are listening to the science rather than politicians.'

The survey also found that schools face uncertainty around staffing, with 15% of schools asking staff who are clinically vulnerable to work from 1 June.

In a statement to parliament, education minister Gavin Williamson, said: 'We continue to follow the best scientific advice and believe that this cautious, phased return is the most sensible course of action to take.

'As the prime minister has set out, the Government will continue to monitor the rate of transmission carefully and will not hesitate to reintroduce restrictions on a local or regional basis if required.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Years Entitlement and Sufficiency Officer

City of York Council
Grade 7 Level 1 - 4 (£29,230 to £31,391 per annum) reduced pro-rata
Are you experienced in Early Years Education Funding and looking for a new challenge? York, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of York Council

Administration Apprentice

Essex County Council
Up to £12348 per annum
Administration ApprenticeFixed Term, Full Time£12,348 per annum rising to £22,072 per annum on the second yearLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of Finance (Deputy S151 Officer)

Babergh & Mid Suffolk
£60,757 - £73,775 (plus national pay award)
Together we are building a more resilient, sustainable future. Suffolk
Recuriter: Babergh & Mid Suffolk

Community Care Business Unit Assistant

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band D, SCP 9 -17 (£25,119 - £28,770 per annum)
An opportunity has become available for four Community Care Business Unit Assistants, based in Finance. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Worker

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£36,426 - £49,503 per annum

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.