Boris Johnson assures parents ‘schools are safe’ for children

The Government has been accused of creating a “dangerous recipe for chaos” by its continued differing arrangements across tiers. Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the UK Government had ruled that most primary schools should welcome back pupils from tomorrow.

Only those in coronavirus hotspots in London and the South East were told to keep their doors shut until January 18, but some schools in the same boroughs were excluded. On Friday, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed all London primary schools will remain closed, except for vulnerable children and those of key workers.

Secondary schools and colleges are due to reopen on a staggered basis, with exam year pupils returning on January 11 and others returning a week later.

Now teaching unions called for all schools to remain closed.

The call comes as local authorities start to break ranks with the Department for Education. Yesterday, Brighton and Hove City Council held an emergency meeting before advising all its schools to implement remote learning.

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The National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders have started legal proceedings against the Department for Education to disclose the scientific advice that has led to its policy.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman has called for the introduction of home learning for a “brief and determined period for most children”.

Mr Whiteman added: “We understand that the Government has been seeking to strike a balance between minimising the risk of transfer of Covid-19 and providing face-to-face education for all children.

“However, the latest data shows that in large parts of the country, control of infection has been lost and the lack of understanding regarding the new variant has now created intolerable risk.”

The NASUWT also said remote education was “the only sensible and credible option” to minimise the risk to staff and to safeguard public health.

And the National Education Union said it would advise its members of their legal right not to have to work in an unsafe environment.

Joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “In order for viral levels in children and in the community to decrease to below R1, primary schools should not open in the first weeks of January.

“We will be informing our members they have the right to work in safe conditions which do not endanger their health.”

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