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Headteachers raise concerns over reopening of English primaries Returning school pupils in England to be taught in 'protective bubbles'
(32 minutes later)
School leaders say they will face staffing issues and difficulties keeping young children apart Children will be kept in groups around half the size of normal classes but unions raise fears
Primary school headteachers in England have expressed concern at the government’s announcement on schools reopening next month, warning that it is too soon, it covers the wrong year groups and that many parents will elect to keep their children at home. Children returning to schools in England next month will be taught in “protective bubbles” of no more than 15 and kept apart from others in order to minimise risk and keep pupils safe, according to new government guidance.
Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that pupils in reception, year one and year six would begin a phased return to primary schools from 1 June, to be followed soon after by the rest of primary years. The government hopes secondary and sixth-form pupils taking GCSEs and A-levels next year will get at least some time with teachers before the holidays. Schools will be told they can abandon the two-metre physical distancing rule required among adults in favour of keeping children in small groups that will be around half the size of normal primary school classes.
Headteachers interviewed by the Guardian expressed scepticism, warning that it would be “near impossible” to ensure four- and five year-olds keep at a safe distance from each other, and suggesting it would be more realistic among children aged seven and older. Assemblies, breaks and lunch times will be staggered to keep the number of pupils coming into contact with each other to a minimum, and each class will have the same teacher at all times and work in the same space to limit risks of infection.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), which represents most primary school heads in England, said the government’s plans were “wildly optimistic to the point of being irresponsible” and accused ministers of giving parents false hope that the country is further along the road to recovery than it is. With plans for a phased return for primary-age children beginning from 1 June, the Department for Education published practical guidance for headteachers about how schools could function safely. If pupils or school staff develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be able access testing through the normal NHS channels.
Paul Whiteman, the NAHT general secretary, said: “This is not currently a feasible scenario. The availability of school staff, the sheer number of pupils, and the sizes of school classrooms and corridors, combined with the need for social distancing measures, mean that the government’s calculations simply don’t add up.” Headteachers will be advised to stagger drop-off and home times to reduce gatherings of parents and children around the school gates. Cleaning will be increased, corridors should be one-way where possible, doors should be kept open and staff should ensure toilets do not become overcrowded.
Many school leaders were holding emergency staff meetings on Monday to discuss the implications of the government’s plans and how they might be carried out safely in cramped school buildings with narrow corridors and a workforce depleted by the effects of the virus. Others were waiting for further details to emerge later on Monday. Parents will be “strongly encouraged” to send their children to school unless the child or a family member is shielding or the child is particularly vulnerable due to an underlying condition, but schools and local authorities will not be asked to issue school attendance orders or fines if children do not attend.
Sue Vermes, the head of Rose Hill primary school on the outskirts of Oxford, said her school had remained open during lockdown, catering for about 60 vulnerable children coming in on different days, and had developed systems to ensure the best possible safety for pupils and staff in school. She said it would be “challenging” to replicate that with greater numbers. The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, said: “The latest scientific advice indicates it will be safe for more children to return to school from 1 June, but we will continue to limit the overall numbers in school and introduce protective measures to prevent transmission.
Currently the children queue to get into school, and their temperatures are taken as they enter. The space outside is marked with tape to help children keep two metres apart. Once inside there is a rigorous handwashing routine, with hand sanitiser in the foyer and every classroom. “This marks the first step towards having all young people back where they belong – in nurseries, schools and colleges – but we will continue to be led by the scientific evidence and will only take further steps when the time is right.”
Pupils are taught in small groups by the same member of staff in order to limit contacts. While it has worked with small numbers spread throughout the school building, Vermes said: “I can’t envisage having a whole reception class or year six at one time.” The government has said it wants primary school children back in school for a month before the summer holidays where possible, with nurseries, nannies and childminders open for business again to enable more parents to return to work.
Schools will be told they can abandon the two-metre physical distancing rule required among adults in favour of keeping children in the same small protected groups, which will be around half the size of normal primary school classes. Ministers want the youngest children and those preparing to transition to secondary school in September to have the maximum contact with their teachers, with early years, reception, year 1 and year 6 back returning to school from the beginning of June if public health conditions allow, followed by other year groups.
Staffing is also a concern. Vermes said only 60% of her team were available to come into school, with the rest either at high risk or shielding. Others have come in despite their fears, having seen people they know die from the virus. Secondary schools and further education colleges have been put on standby to prepare for “some face-to-face contact” with pupils in year 10 and 12, who are preparing for key exams next summer, to support their online classes.
“Lots of people are very anxious. It does not feel like the evidence is there to reduce our anxiety yet,” Vermes said. “Parents who are anxious about sending their children in should not be under pressure to do so. I don’t want to put anyone at risk. I don’t want that on my conscience.” A DfE statement said: “The transmission rate has decreased and the aim is that by 1 June at the earliest it will be safe for a greater number of children and young people to return to education and childcare. As a result, the government is asking schools and childcare providers to plan on this basis, ahead of confirmation of the scientific advice.”
Amanda Thornton-Jones, the head of primary education at Red Kite Learning Trust, a chain of 13 schools in North and West Yorkshire, said she was worried that the return to school was perhaps too soon and she was surprised by the year groups chosen to return first. Earlier, teaching unions rejected the government’s plans for a phased reopening of schools in England as “wildly optimistic to the point of being irresponsible”, accusing ministers of giving parents false hope that the country is further along the road to recovery than it is.
“The idea of a phased return is a sound idea. We all want the children back in school. We know they’re missing their learning,” she said. “I think it’s the decisions that have been made around particular year groups which don’t make sense. Reception and year one are quite complex year groups in terms of social distancing. It’s near impossible, just by the very nature of the age group.” The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), which represents most primary school heads in England, said the proposals were not feasible and it was an insult that teachers would be expected to make their own DIY masks for protection in the absence of proper personal protective equipment.
Red Kite has been running hub schools for children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, catering for children as young as two. The systems now in place will be rolled out further when more children return, with regular handwashing, equipment and tables regularly wiped down, and regular cleaning of the building. “It has worked in the hubs. They do understand. Children are quick to learn,” she said. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the NAHT, said: “The availability of school staff, the sheer number of pupils, and the sizes of school classrooms and corridors, combined with the need for social distancing measures, mean that the government’s calculations simply don’t add up.
“Based on the current trajectory it seems wildly optimistic, to the point of being irresponsible, to suggest that we will be in a position to return all primary children to school within the next seven weeks. This will give false hope to families and parents that we are further along the road to recovery than we actually are.”
Schools have been closed to all pupils except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils since gates closed on 20 March. Just 2% of all pupils are currently attending school, with the rest learning remotely.
According to the DfE, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) advising the government “has a high degree of confidence that the severity of the disease in children is lower than in adults and a moderately high degree of confidence that children aged up to 11 are less susceptible to it”.
Teaching unions remained unconvinced. Mary Bousted, a joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Education staff do not feel reassured that the government is taking these steps with public health in mind. This is not fair to anyone and it is not safe to put out a timeline until the public safety test has been met. This first sketch for schools must be immediately redrawn, alongside unions and the profession.”
Last Thursday Wales announced it would not be reopening schools on 1 June. The education minister, Kirsty Williams, said the Welsh government “will only look to have more pupils and staff in schools when it is safe to do so”.Last Thursday Wales announced it would not be reopening schools on 1 June. The education minister, Kirsty Williams, said the Welsh government “will only look to have more pupils and staff in schools when it is safe to do so”.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has also highlighted safety concerns as a main reason for schools not to reopen before August, and Peter Weir, Northern Ireland’s education minister, said last week that any reopening would be “guided by science and health, and will not be date-driven”.Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has also highlighted safety concerns as a main reason for schools not to reopen before August, and Peter Weir, Northern Ireland’s education minister, said last week that any reopening would be “guided by science and health, and will not be date-driven”.