Key workers are spaced out by schools row
ONE of things which has made me most sad over the past week is the way the latest lockdown has put many parents at loggerheads with local teachers.
Key workers are finding that spaces in school are not guaranteed for their children in this lockdown, as headteachers try to keep their staff ( and other pupils) safe by following confusing guidelines which seem to change by the day.
The problem is partly caused by the fact this lockdown isn’t as strict as previous ones, so more people qualify for key workers status.
The local teaching unions say schools shouldn’t be operating at more than 15 per cent capacity.
The problem is that in areas like Rossendale, up to 40 per cent of the workforce counts as key worker.
Even the ‘critical worker’ status within that probably involves 20 per cent of our working population.
The teaching unions are of course doing their job - representing the interests of their members.
But that doesn’t help parents who are key workers, need to work, can’t work at home - but can’t leave their children home alone either.
Lancashire County Council tweeted a link to the updated government guidance on Sunday afternoon, adding: “School places for critical worker children are in high demand in some areas.
“If you’re a critical worker, you should keep your child at home if you can to help relieve pressure on our schools.”
As we saw in June, when LCC seemed incapable of telling schools whether it was safe to re- open or not ( it finally decided not), our education authority isn’t helping parents or schools when they need it most.
What’s the point of a county-wide education authority if they don’t actually help solve problems like this?