Headteachers to block their pupils’ return to the classroom

Hundreds of headteachers will defy Government orders and block their pupils’ return to the classroom, a union has warned.

A survey by the National Association of Headteachers shows more than 700 schools, or 3 per cent of the total number, will phase students back or use 'transition periods' to reopen.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said all schools should be fully reopened from the start of September, following heavy disruption to the summer term amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Many local authority areas are due to return to school on Tuesday.

However, some headteachers still have concerns about fully reopening, despite guidance on student 'bubbles' and measures to promote frequent hand-washing in most schools.

The NAHT said the schools postponing their reopening represented a “tiny percentage” and any delays were intended to “alleviate pupils’ anxieties about the return”.

The survey came as research by TES magazine, a weekly UK publication aimed at education professionals, suggested that nine in 10 teachers have concerns about social distancing.

A poll of nearly 6,000 school staff in England found that 86 per cent of respondents thought minimising contact between pupils would not be possible, while two thirds feared guidance to avoid busy corridors, entrances and exits is unrealistic.

The survey, conducted by TES magazine, also found more than a quarter of staff may not comply with the Test and Trace programme should there be a coronavirus outbreak at their school.

More than a third feel that the Government's approach to coronavirus safety in schools will not work and leaves them "at risk", the poll showed.

Teaching unions have already warned the Government that safety measures will not be enough to protect pupils and staff, and have pressurised ministers to introduce new rules on face coverings in schools in areas under local lockdown.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, urged parents to send their children back to school despite the concerns.

“Please do not let the very public political difficulties and arguments cloud your confidence in schools,” he said.

“School leaders and their teams have continued to do all that has been asked of them.

“With cooperation and understanding between home and school we can achieve the very best return possible despite the political noise”.

His call echoed Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, who warned parents who keep their children at home they risk a "huge dent in their future life chances".

In an open letter to parents, he said the health risk posed to pupils was “extremely low”.

"If a child is not in school, they stand to lose far more than just a few months of learning. It could well put a huge dent in their future life chances," he said.

"Education is a birthright, so let's make sure we get all children back – back to learning, back to playing and back to being kids again."

A Government spokesman argued parents were “increasingly confident in their children returning to school”.

“Getting all children back into their classrooms full-time in September is a national priority because it is the best place for their education, development and wellbeing,” the spokesman said.