Schools need guidance about safety during outbreak, say head teachers
SCHOOLS NEED to know if they should be taking safety measures such as providing masks and protective equipment, or distancing children in class, head teachers have said.
Clearer guidance is needed on how to keep pupils and staff who are in school during the coronavirus outbreak safe, according to the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT).
It said school leaders are “crying out” for expert medical evidence on safe levels of attendance and proper safety measures.
The call came as schools opened their gates for vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers such as medics, police and delivery drivers.
There had been mounting concerns that many more children than expected would turn up for lessons yesterday morning, despite schools in England being of ficially closed.
However, school leaders said the numbers were “manageable”, with indications that parents were keeping their children at home unless they had no other option.
As schools work out how to operate, one of the key concerns is how to keep children and school staff safe when they are on site.
The NAHT’s general secretary, Paul Whiteman, said: “What schools desperately need now is clear guidance on how to keep the pupils and staff that continue to attend school safe.”
Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the biggest concern is “the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils who are attending schools”.
“Schools are actively managing this situation by ensuring social distancing, reinforcing messages about washing hands regularly, and ensuring that areas which are being used are regularly cleaned.”
Earlier, Mr Barton thanked parents for heeding advice to only use schools if absolutely necessary.
“Schools are reporting that the number of pupils arriving is manageable,” he said.