Bosses behind dozens of primary schools in England are backing plans for pupils to return to classrooms, despite strong opposition from teaching unions.
The heads of four academy chains – Reach 2, Harris, Oasis and GEP – which teach a quarter of the UK’s children, have all thrown their weight behind government proposals to reopen schools by June 1, according to The Times.
It comes amid warnings from unions that doing so would put both teachers and students at risk of contracting coronavirus.
Steve Chalke, founder of one of England’s biggest academy trusts, Oasis Charitable Trust, said attempts to stop children going back to primary schools in June was ‘rather middle class’. Picture: Stock
Sir Steve Lancashire, chief executive of Reach 2, the country’s biggest primary multi-academy trust (MAT) with 50 schools, told the newspaper: ‘Our intention is to open all of our schools for the priority year groups, and will do so as long as the rigorous risk assessments we carry out for each school gives us the reassurance we need that we can keep our pupils and staff as safe as possible.’
MAT schools work independently from local authorities and are able to set their own rules and regulations.
They also cater to some of the country’s most disadvantaged children, who could suffer if attempts are made to stop a return, Oasis Charitable Trust’s founder said.
Steve Chalke called the opposition ‘rather middle class’ and said it could pose great risk to children ‘stuck in a council block, with no fresh air, no exercise and little or no nutritious food.’
However, Hartlepool in County Durham, has now joined Liverpool in saying it would ignore the plan to let some primary school pupils back.
The largest doctor’s union also backed the teachers’ representatives today, saying they are ‘absolutely right’ to argue it is unsafe for schools to open next month.
Boris Johnson, pictured outside Downing Street on Thursday, ordered the closure of schools on March 18, just days before the national lockdown was introduced
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday SNP ministers would not take a ‘cavalier’ approach to reopening, adding that pupils will not fully be back in classes until at least August.
Boris Johnson ordered the closure of schools on March 18, just days before the national lockdown was introduced, with many remaining open to look after vulnerable children and those of frontline key workers.
Under new government plans to ease the country out of lockdown, children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 could start back on June 1 with smaller class sizes, of no more than 15, with procedures in place to limit the spread of the virus.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson this week demanded teachers union do their ‘duty’ and stop their blanket objections to the proposed phased return.
In response Britain’s second-largest teaching union, NASUWT, threatened to sue school chiefs if they put teachers ‘at risk’.
The union, which has 310,000 members, wrote to headteachers, academy bosses and local authorities to outline their stance.
In the letter the union said: ‘No teacher should be expected to go into a school that is not safe and until it can be demonstrated that it is safe to do so we will be continuing to support and advise members on that basis.’
Of the 35 schools within Mr Chalke’s trust, 45 per cent of children are eligible for free school meals.
He told The Times staying away from school could pose greater to risks to these pupils.
Mr Chalke said children from disadvantaged background would be at greater risk if they were to miss more school due to a delay in reopening. Picture: Stock
He said: ‘The greatest risks for many of our children are being stuck in a council block, with no fresh air, no exercise, little or no nutritious food.’
The Oasis boss suggested many pupils would also be at a disadvantage from missing lessons because many of them ‘live in cramped conditions with little digital access’ making it difficult for them to learn effectively online.
Despite his comments, Mr Chalke added that his school would not force pupils or staff to attend and stated that he respected the union’s stance.
In attempt to ease the tensions, union chiefs have been offered a briefing with the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty this afternoon to reassure them the plans are safe for children, staff and parents.