SCHOOLS’ DISTANCING CONCERN:

SOCIAL DISTANCING in schools will be a “massive problem”, the leader of the headteachers’ union has warned, while primary settings will struggle to support smaller class sizes.

The Government set out its expectations earlier this week, detailing guidance on how to open schools to pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Six from June 1 at the earliest.

There are “difficulties” in how this could be managed, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)

Paul Whiteman has warned, not least in overcoming persistent fears among parents and staff.

“If social distancing is as we understand it now – the two-metre rule to be applied in schools – there are very many schools that are saying it is simply impossible to achieve,” he said.

Addressing a virtual Education Select Committee, Mr Whiteman said it is hardest to maintain social

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers. distancing, as well as good hygiene, with younger year groups.

“Social distancing is going to be a massive problem,” he added.

The Department for Education (DfE) issued guidelines on Monday which said primary school class sizes should be limited to 15 pupils and outdoor space should be utilised. Schools should stagger lunch and break times, it said, as well as drop-off and pick-up times, to reduce the number of pupils moving around.

Headteachers, however, have suggested some schools would struggle to fit more than 10 or 12 pupils in their classrooms, given the size of school settings.

“Straight away we’re getting into some real practical difficulties about whether the Government’s

ambition can be practically accommodated,” Mr Whiteman said. “Let alone all the fears that parents have about bringing their children back into school, and the fears of the workforce too.”

He told MPs that there “isn’t enough understanding of the scientific basis” for the return to schools next month for confidence to exist among parents.

A poll from the NEU suggests only half of parents would send children back to school as soon as settings are reopened, with a third preferring to delay a return.

The Government has announced its ambition for all primary school pupils in England to go back to school for a month before the summer, and said it expects nurseries and childcare settings to accept children from June 1 at the earliest.

Some unions including the NEU and Unison urged teaching staff not to engage with planning until further advice is issued.

If schools are unable to open safely before September, because they cannot make arrangements to safeguard staff and pupils, then this position should be accepted, NASUWT union said.

A DfE spokesperson said: “We want children back in schools as soon as it is safe to do so because it is the best place for them to learn and benefit from important social interactions.

“Plans for a phased return of some year groups from June 1, at the earliest, have been drawn up in close consultation with the sector and are based on the best scientific and medical advice.”

The Government will continue to engage with unions to develop further guidance for the sector, the spokesman said.

“The welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision making.”

Many schools are saying it is simply impossible to achieve.