Today (Monday), several schools in Leeds had to remain shut after the Christmas break due to staff shortages. A coalition of education unions has warned that bringing all pupils back to class could fuel the pandemic and put teachers at “serious risk” of falling ill. A statement - signed by the NSHT school leaders’ union, the National Education Union (NEU), the NASUWT teachers’ union, GMB, Unison and Unite - calls for a move to remote learning for most pupils and adds that all staff who continue to work with vulnerable pupils and those of keyworker parents should be given priority access to the Covid-19 vaccinations. It came as the nation waited to hear tonight from the Prime Minister on new emergency measures to control the infection rate of the fast-spreading variant of Covid-19. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had maintained it was safe for primary schools to reopen in all but the worst hit areas, but union bosses were insisting there be a “pause” in pupils’ returning to classrooms until the safety of staff and pupils could be guaranteed. Negotiations were continuing throughout the day at several schools across the city to determine staff numbers and whether they will be able to reopen as planned this week. Patrick Murphy, district secretary of the Leeds branch of the NEU said more school staff across the city had been joining the union over the weekend as the campaign gathered pace. He said: “We’ve got a good response and it’s going well but we would rather not be in this position. “It shouldn’t really be for us to have this discussion, but we are doing.” He said the union was “following the science” and that “schools being open will make it harder for society to manage this virus”. Leeds City Council has said it is supporting schools to stay open where staff are heeding union advice not to go in over coronavirus fears. The Yorkshire Evening Post understands the council wrote to headteachers and early years’ settings on Sunday to provide advice on the current situation. Saleem Tariq, director of children and families at Leeds City Council said: “The Department for Education’s expectation in Leeds is that no primary schools are expected to close as the region remains in Tier 3 restrictions. “We are supporting schools to continue to operate in cases where staff have chosen not to come into the workplace. "In cases where a school is unable to remain open to all children due to a high number of staff choosing not to attend, we are asking that they remain open to children of key workers and to vulnerable children, where possible. “Teaching staff who choose not to attend school are expected to deliver remote learning to pupils. “This is clearly an evolving situation which is very challenging for schools and their staff, and will continue to support them wherever possible.” It was unclear on Monday exactly how many schools had been unable to open, with many holding pre-planned inset days, or indeed how many were expected to remain shut on Tuesday. But those which had closed included Gildersome Primary School in south Leeds, Manor Wood Primary School in Moortown and Hugh Gaitskell Primary School in Beeston. Deborah Kenny, headteacher of Manor Wood Primary School told parents the news on Sunday, saying: “I know this is definitely not the news you want to hear but we are unable to open school to all our children on Monday.” She said the vast majority of her teaching colleagues were “following the advice of the NEU” and the governing body said it was “clear that we cannot open”. Morley Newlands Academy was one of the city’s primary schools which was able to open as planned after no staff requested to work from home. Principal Matthew Fitzpatrick said the school was continuing to follow Government guidance and remain open but he understood people’s concerns over pupil and staff safety. “Obviously we are in tier three and that indicates a heightened risk. “We understand that people think schools aren't necessarily the best place to be right now and there might be a national lockdown to reduce the risk of infection.” But he stressed they have strict protocols in place “to make school as safe as we possibly can,” adding: “We are fighting an invisible virus - we're never quite sure who or where or when it could be at any one moment.” He said morale among staff was high and this morning they were on hand to meet returning pupils at the school gates in what he acknowledged would have been an anxious time for many. A “small minority” of parents had chosen to keep their children home but he stressed no fines would be issued under those circumstances, adding: “We don’t think that’s the battle to fight at this point.” He said, in the event of a national lockdown, they may have to close for the “greater good”, but in the meantime it remains the case that schools are the best place for children. “It's the best for their emotional, social development, it's the best for their well-being, mental health. It's a nurturing environment and puts order and routine in a child's day. That's what we want from our schools in normal circumstances.” He said one key concern however was the current year six cohort who, having already missed “a chunk” of year five last year now faced further disruption. “That means they are not finishing their primary education on as strong a footing as possible and that’s upsetting for colleagues who have worked with those children for seven years,” he said. Sir John Townsley, chief executive of the GORSE Academies Trust in Leeds, which Morley Newlands is part of, urged the Government to prioritise teaching staff in the vaccine roll-out programme. He said: “Ensuring frontline school staff are healthy is essential if we are to keep schools open so children can maintain their education and stay safe. “Prioritising them in the vaccine roll-out is a matter of urgency if we expect them to play their crucial role.” Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, in her capacity as chairwoman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, which represents councils across England, said it was important that schools have the local flexibility to take decisions about reopening - in consultations with local councils - based on the latest public health advice and data. She said: “This is vital to reassure parents and carers that it is safe for their schools to reopen.” Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.
