Union risking pupils’ futures, says minister

GAVIN WILLIAMSON has launched an attack on the UK’S largest teaching union, claiming it was putting the progress of pupils in jeopardy with its calls to close schools.

He accused the National Education Union of failing to put the interests of children f i rst by demanding that schools should shut during lockdown.

Writing on this page, the Education Secretary says the teaching union’s leaders “appear content to put the progress of pupils… on hold, by calling for us to close schools”.

He added: “When the risks are being managed, when the benefits of being in school are so clear, this seems to be an isolated position that doesn’t put the best interests of pupils first.”

Mr Williamson’s remarks come as official guidance, published last night, stated that before and after-school clubs could only continue if they were “reasonably necessary” f or childcare purposes. Schools should only run extra- curricular activities outside of school hours where they are “supporting parents to work, search for work, undertake training or education, or where the provision is being used for the purposes of respite care”.

The guidance also said all secondary school pupils should wear masks in communal areas, such as corridors. Previously, this was “discretionary” for schools which were not in areas of local restrictions. Pupils aged 11 and older should also wear masks when travelling to and from school on a dedicated school bus or on public transport.

Primary school children do not need to wear masks, but it will be optional for teachers to do so in communal areas. Nurseries, childminders and nannies should continue to operate and parents are allowed to form a “childcare bubble” with another household for looking after children under the age of 13.

Headteachers said it was “frustrati ng” that the guidance was only published the night before lockdown and voiced concern that children’s physical activity would suffer as a result of sports clubs stopping. “We are concerned about the extent to which activities such as sports clubs are again being curtailed,” said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders. He welcomed the extension of face masks, saying it was a “sensible response”, but said ministers needed to consider the i mpact of restrictions on children’s wellbeing.

Downing Street is hoping to roll out rapid testing in schools so that pupils can access results within an hour. Ministers hope this will solve the issue of hundreds self-isolating for two weeks every time a peer tests positive.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “We will take no lectures from Gavin Williamson on the wellbeing of disadvantaged pupils.

“He and his colleagues in Government seem only concerned about them when it is politically convenient.”