POINT OF NO RETURN
» Study reveals 46% of families will keep their eligible children at home » People shielding cleared to go out today... but scientists’ ‘too fast’ fears
HALF of primary pupils eligible to return today will be kept at home over fears of Covid-19 infection.
Some 46% of parents said they will not risk it – so at least a million kids will be absent in a blow to No10 plans.
Labour warned against putting families “in a difficult position” as school governors raised safety fears.
Meanwhile, scientists said a move to let vulnerable people quit shielding and go out today could be premature.
WORRIED parents are expected to keep at least a million eligible primary pupils at home today as schools allow more children to go back to classes.
That is around half of those in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 who could return under lockdown easing – in a major blow to Boris Johnson’s hopes of getting back to normal before the summer break.
And headteachers predicted more than three in 10 teachers will be forced to work from home due to health conditions, their age or having vulnerable family members.
The school-or-no-school division across the country became apparent yesterday as the Prime Minster was criticised over shambolic planning – with ministers producing a blueprint for reopening schools on May 12 and then changing it 41 times.
Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said: “It may be there are some parents who have not yet made the decision to send their children back but will in the days ahead, when they’ve seen
schools managed to reopen safely. I hope so, it’s extremely important we get children back to school. The evidence suggests it is children from poorer households losing out by not having crucial face-to-face contact.”
But Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said: “I think it is important now that we enable people to take the right decisions around this. That if individual schools feel they are not ready, they are given support so they get to the stage where they are ready.
“Also if individual parents don’t feel it is safe for their children, they are not put in a difficult position.”
As the UK’s Covid-19 death toll rose by 113 yesterday, to 38,489, school governors also cautioned against reopening classes to all primary pupils before the summer break. National
Governance Association chief executive Emma Knights said: “Unless something dramatic changes very soon in terms of the Government’s scientific and medical advice, it will not be possible for primary schools to invite all pupils back for a whole month.
“It is adding to uncertainty for parents but also extra pressure on school leaders and governing boards who think they need to try and do this when actually it wouldn’t be safe.”
And Mary Bousted, of the National Education Union, said: “The plans on reopening schools since they were first produced on May 12 have been
changed 41 times. That’s because they’ve had to be revised as things they have forgotten, didn’t know and they got wrong had to be added in.”
Ministers want other school years to follow before the holidays – but secondaries will not be properly back until autumn. They believe it will let parents work and help the economy.
Young children are at low risk from Covid-19 and research suggests they are less likely to pass it on. Classes will be limited to 15, desks spaced apart, drop-off and pick-up times will be staggered and parents will be warned to avoid gathering at the gates for a natter. But scientific advisers warn it is a “critical” moment and we need to be “very careful” – or risk a catastrophic second spike.
The National Foundation for Educational Research found schools believe 46% of families with a four, five, six, 10 or 11-year-old will keep them at home.
According to the Office for National Statistics, there are approximately 2.1 million kids eligible to return today – meaning at least a million could be absent. But the true figure is likely to be higher, as some families will have more than one child in those years.
The NFER report also suggested the most deprived pupils were most likely to stay at home. And the study of 1,200 heads found 29% of the 95,000 primary teachers for the eligible ages – almost 28,000 – will only be able to work from home. Schools, colleges and nurseries closed 10 weeks ago, except for the vulnerable and key workers’ kids.
Of the 20 lowest-ranked councils for primary test results, 11 have advised schools to remain closed or are expecting some or all not to open. Many councils, mainly in the North, have told heads they may delay until later.
NFER chief executive Carole Willis said: “Guidance needs to be tailored and responsive, allowing flexibility for school leaders to use their judgment.”
A separate poll by the Early Years Alliance found only 45% of parents whose nurseries open today plan to take up their place. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Throughout the pandemic, decisions have been based on the best scientific and medical advice.” Meanwhile, an individual who went to a holiday club at a primary in Gloucestershire has tested positive for Covid. Emma Gomersall, head at Woolaston Primary, Lydney, wrote to parents and carers saying the school will stay open.
She added: “All necessary steps are being taken to minimise risk.”