As much as UNISON understands the challenging circumstances in which schools are operating, it is not fair to staff or pupils if staff are being deployed inappropriately. Today’s statement follows a longer statement to the Secretary of State on Friday (8 May), which set out in full detail the principles and tests necessary for the safe reopening of schools. It is important that face coverings are used in addition to other protective measures and that wearing them does not lead to the relaxation of social distancing and regular hand washing, etc. Schools should, in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive Committee guidance,  permit staff and pupils to wear face coverings anywhere in the premises in all schools and settings if they wish to do so. We are especially concerned about the number of pupils who have not received IT and internet provision from the government at the same time as they impose a legal duty on schools to provide remote education for pupils who are self isolating. As a result, schools will have fewer protective measures in place to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 than most other workplaces. Council leaders in Wolverhampton, Norfolk, Slough, Manchester, County Durham, Lancashire, Birmingham and Gateshead have also said they are happy for schools to stay closed if the headteacher thinks they are not safe. The joint unions have produced a helpful checklist to help with carrying out risk assessments in a school setting, which you can send to your school to aid them in their planning. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis school staff have gone above and beyond to keep schools running and support children and young people. The advice from the Department for Education states that most, if not all, pupils attending special schools/colleges and alternative provision are classed as vulnerable and should therefore be receiving a face-to-face education, if appropriate. Most San Diego County school districts have reopened or plan to reopen in October Education Meanwhile a few South County districts are staying closed for rest of 2020. Reopening schools while social distancing children will be ‘painstaking’, admits medical chief. More than one in five (22%) support staff say primary schools have operated class sizes bigger than the 15 pupils per group maximum recommended to maintain social distancing. Unions with members in the education sector today (Wednesday) published a joint statement on the safe reopening of schools. Where schools have the option of closing school based nurseries we would strongly recommend that they do so. It has been signed by UNISON, AEP, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, … The NEU – the UK's largest teachers' union – and Unison, which represents support staff, have said their members should "await further union advice" on school reopenings before engaging with the planning process. Given that whole year bubbles may be leading to an increased spread and largescale closures, ensuring that bubbles are of a workable size will minimise the risk of infection spreading throughout the school. However, on advice from PHE, the DfE have updated their guidance for schools to state that all children aged 11 and over should wear face coverings on dedicated transport. online and other home learning resources. Any arrangement for a HLTA to lead a class should be reviewed and agreed with the staff member on at least a fortnightly basis. Arrangements for remote learning should minimise the numbers of staff on site and avoid requiring staff to be on site unnecessarily. It A specialist cleaning team may have to be established. A collective group risk assessment will not be sufficient in identifying individual risk. Close contact means within 2 metres of someone for 15 mins or more. It uses Bluetooth technology to track contact between app users, alerting individuals when they have come into ‘close contact’ with someone who has subsequently tested positive for coronavirus. After continued lobbying from UNISON, the Government has now confirmed that all education and childcare workers have priority access to testing. Early years settings, including nurseries, will remain open to all children during the lockdown. The prime minister has announced an easing of lockdown and the relaxation of … One of the main issues across all schools that are still open is the government’s new and wider definition of ‘vulnerable children’ which means in some schools we are seeing larger numbers of pupils attending school than in the first lockdown in March. 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