The teaching unions’ belligerence does their members no favours

SIR – As a recently retired member of the teaching profession, I deplore the current attitude of the unions.

Whether right or wrong in their opinion that asking teachers to return to the classroom was too dangerous, the manner in which they have handled the matter has been outrageous. Instead of immediately adopting a contrary stance, the unions should have asked themselves how they could work with the Government.

The teaching profession is muchmaligned. We had the chance to regain public support, but the unions have blown it.

Jonathan Whybrow Lechlade, Gloucestershire

SIR – Having taught for 30 years and spent 10 as an inspector, I would like to know how a teacher might, first, keep two metres away from a pupil who requires personal help and, secondly, talk to a class while wearing a mask and goggles.

David Jones Wigan, Lancashire

SIR – Surely schools will be less dangerous places than they were before the lockdown.

Everyone knows about washing hands regularly and adults are well aware of social distancing rules. There have been no cases of children passing Covid-19 on to adults, so the sooner pupils are back socialising with each other and learning together the better.

Victoria Back Wadhurst, East Sussex

SIR – Perhaps the union leaders should ask for advice from supermarket managers, who have kept the food supply flowing throughout lockdown while also keeping their staff safe, in both stores and distribution depots.

Mary Marshall Ilkley, West Yorkshire

SIR – Teachers’ reluctance to return to school, backed by their unions, is one thing – but their reported reluctance to teach online is unacceptable.

My daughter-in-law, a senior maths teacher, has been working normal weeks teaching online. The only change, she tells me, is that she is at home, with students based in Singapore, Hong Kong, India and other countries around the world.

Her pupils have adjusted easily to their differing time zones, and her A-level students are doing brilliantly. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

John Dakin

London SE15

SIR – I would like to assure those attacking teachers that I (like every other teacher I know) am working, if anything, longer hours at home.

On Friday I prepared and uploaded resources, marked returned work, then sent this work, with feedback, to each child, along with a message.

I also rang six pupils in my tutor group to check up on them, contacted an anxious parent, wrote a set of reports and completed some other tasks set by my line manager. I am not the exception.

Anne Carrington Bristol