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The National Education Union (NEU) has developed a useful new website that provides details of infection rates around local schools. It provides advice for parents and teachers. It provides a draft letter that can be sent to our local MPs.
Martin Tolman, spokesperson for Blythe Labour, said “Like the vast majority of parents and staff, I want to see schools not just open but also safe. We also need to be fairer to our students. As a grandparent of pupils and father to a teacher, it concerns me that the Government is not doing enough to make that more of a reality.”
Martin continued “If we are to keep the virus under control, it is essential that the R rate is reduced to less than 1 again. To make that a reality I fully support the call from the NEU that includes:
- Much quicker testing, for staff and students and a move towards asymptomatic testing of staff and older pupils, like in the NHS and care homes.
- Smaller class sizes and bubbles, especially in areas where cases are highest. We have Nightingale courts and hospitals; we need Nightingale classes too.
- Vulnerable staff must be allowed to work from home, especially in areas where cases are highest.
- Fairness is needed for students on exams next year. Children should be tested on what they have learned, not what they haven’t and we need a fall back if students can’t do exams.
- We need a guarantee that pupils will have broadband and a laptop if they have to be at home.
- Public Health should review all school outbreaks with both heads and unions to ensure the best possible safety advice is being given.
As I’ve already said, I want schools and colleges to remain safe and open. I’d therefore encourage Blythe residents to use the website to write to our MP, Saqib Bhatti, and encourage him to lobby his Government to put the above arrangements in place. Our children deserve nothing less.”
See the website for more information: https://www.schoolcovidmap.org.uk/