CLASSROOM CHAOS
Boris Johnson told to ditch June 1 school return date by furious unions over ‘risk to society’
BORIS Johnson was today told to ditch the June 1 school return date by furious unions who said it could be a "risk to society".
In a joint statement from several of the biggest unions they called on the PM to think again about his plans to bring back schools from June 1.
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Giants including Union and Unite, representing hundreds of thousands of teachers, said schools should only reopen "when it is safe to do so".
Some yesterday threatened to withdraw support and refuse to work with the Government on their target timetable.
And they laid out tests for any pupils going back, including waiting for the rollout of track and trace, more PPE and extra funding for cash-strapped schools to do more cleaning.
Their statement said: "We all want schools to re-open, but that should only happen when it is safe to do so.
"The government is showing a lack of understanding about the dangers of the spread of coronavirus within schools, and outwards from schools to parents, sibling and relatives, and to the wider community.
"Uniquely, it appears, school staff will not be protected by social distancing rules.
"15 children in a class, combined with their very young age, means that classrooms of four and five-year olds could become sources of Covid-19 transmission and spread.
"While we know that children generally have mild symptoms, we do not know enough about whether they can transmit the disease to adults.
"We do not think that the government should be posing this level of risk to our society.
"We call on the government to step back from the 1st June and work with us to create the conditions for a safe return to schools based on the principles and tests we have set out."
The principles and tests include a promise of no increasing pupil numbers into the roll out of track and trace, and extra cash for school cleaning and PPE.
They also want to be able to close schools if there's a ckluster outbreak.
The statement was signed by AEP, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, NSEAD, Prospect, UNISON and Unite.
It also comes as a headteacher has told parents “don’t even think” about sending kids back to school in June as it is impossible to keep them safe.
Rob Partington, head of New Moston Primary School in Manchester, said schools could “not get anywhere near” a safe level of social distancing.
Referencing social distancing at supermarkets, Mr Partington wrote on Facebook: “That level of calm and social distancing is something I will aspire to in school, but is something I don't think it is possible to attain, or to be perfectly honest, get anywhere near.
“Children will not social distance.”
That level of calm and social distancing is something I will aspire to in school, but is something I don't think it is possible to attain
Rob Partington, headteacher New Moston Primary School
He added: “So ask yourself this question. If you could take your children to the supermarket with you at the moment would you do it?
“And if you would, would you be happy to stay in there several hours with them? If the answer is yes to both of those questions think about sending your child into school (but do genuinely think about it, school will not be as safe as the supermarket).
“If the answer is no to either question, don't even think about it.”
MEDICAL EVIDENCE
But today Education Secretary Gavin Williamson hit back at critics for "scaremongering" over going back to school.
He told MPs in the House of Commons that he has "medical and scientific advice that is saying this is the right time to start bringing schools back in a phased and controlled manner" - setting up for a furious clash between ministers and unions.
Mr Williamson furiously hit back, insisting that the safety of kids was at the heart of his proposal.
Mr Williamson told the Commons: “The only consideration behind this decision is what is in the best interests and the welfare of children and those who work in schools.
“And we all recognise the importance of children being able to return to schools.
“And sometimes scaremongering and making people fear is really unfair and not a welcome pressure that is to be placed on families, children and teachers alike.”
The Cabinet minister was hauled into the Commons to explain his plan for primaries to start reopening on June 1.
Secondaries will be reopened for Year 10 and Year 12 pupils under the proposals to get England back to class.
And he added: "The reason that we bring schools back is that we know that children benefit from being educated by their brilliant teachers in front of them...
"We recognise that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are the ones who are going to suffer the most if we do not bring schools back when we are able to do so."
Earlier this week ministers released fresh guidance for schools - saying kids should only be in a class of 15.
And they could be sent to other schools if there isn't enough space.
All primary school kids in England will be sent back to class for a month before the summer holidays, under Government plans.
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Ministers admit they cannot keep classmates two metres away from each other all day.
So instead these mini classes will be self-contained "bubbles" and not allowed to mix with other kids at the school, new guidelines published tonight will say.
Lunch, play breaks and daily drop off times will all be staggered to stop pupils meeting each other outside of their little groups.
Meanwhile, testing will be rolled out to all staff and pupils who show symptoms as ministers try to reassure worried parents that schools are safe.
But kids and staff will not be told to wear protective kit like face masks at school.
And No10 revealed that parents who refuse to send their kids back to class will not be slapped with the usual £60 fines for non-attendance.
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