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This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 Conservative Administration

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/21/schools-reopening-conditions/

Schools reopening conditions

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Schools

a blurred image of children playing in a playground wearing their school uniforms

Today's blog looks at reports of calls for five conditions to be met before schools reopen due to coronavirus.

Yesterday 20 April, Patrick Roach, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), sent a letter to the Secretary of State setting out five conditions to be met before schools reopen.

The letter includes conditions such as ensuring schools have enough cleaning equipment; guidelines on social distancing in schools; access to PPE; employment protections for teachers; and recognition of the ‘depleted’ teacher workforce.

The Telegraph reported on the NASUWT letter exclusively and the Mail Online has followed up on the story.

Our position on closures is clear. Schools will remain closed until the scientific advice indicates it is safe to open them, along with meeting the five tests set out by the Government to beat the coronavirus.

A Department for Education spokesperson said:

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has not set a date for schools reopening.

They will remain closed, except for children of critical workers and the most vulnerable children until the scientific advice changes, and we have met the five tests set out by Government to beat this virus.

We will work in close consultation with the sector to consider how best to reopen schools, nurseries and colleges when the time is right so that parents, teachers and children have sufficient notice to plan and prepare.

 

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