135 heads in demand to vaccinate all staff

MORE than 100 headteachers are calling on the Government to vaccinate all school staff as part of plans to reopen classes.

Labour wants staff vaccinated over the February half term to make it safer when pupils go back and to minimise disruption from staff sickness and self-isolation.

Boris Johnson is resisting calls to send pupils back before March 8.

The Mirror is also campaigning to get teachers vaccinated alongside other priority groups.

In a joint letter, co-ordinated by William Goldsmith, headmaster of St George’s School Windsor Castle, the 135 school leaders said the success of the vaccine rollout is “giving hope that pupils will be back in their schools without any further delay. To support this mission, we urge the Government to vaccinate all teachers and school staff, along with other priority workers. Reopening schools from March 8 should be the priority under any circumstance.” Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told MPs the most vulnerable groups, who are due to get their jabs by mid-February, will not be fully protected until early March.

He added: “March 8 is the plan to reopen schools and then gradually the economy.” Meanwhile, Union leaders raised fears over new guidance which says “all teachers and other staff can operate across different groups” while maintaining social distancing. Rehana Azam, national secretary of the GMB, said it is an “ill-judged” change, with “potential to be extremely dangerous”.