Coronavirus set to shut down UK schools ‘in days’ despite government advice
SCHOOLS across the UK are just days away from closing, despite government assurance that they would remain open.
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The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Geoff Barton has revealed that experienced school head teachers in large schools up and down the country are saying they think schools will close in the next few days. Mr Barton revealed on Tuesday that increased uncertainty had made schools certain they would struggle to stay up and running past Friday.
It comes after teaching unions spoke of the "intolerable pressure" of keeping their doors open as more and more staff stay at home after getting sick.
The government’s chief scientific adviser has repeatedly assured that schools will remain open for the foreseeable future.
Sir Patrick Vallance failed to rule out school closures, however.
Speaking to MPs on Tuesday, he said the possibility of schools closing was still “on the table” as one of the measures to fight the spread of the virus.
And during his press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said school closures were under “continuous review”.
Speaking to the BBC about the topic, Mr Barton hinted that the tree pressure on the education sector had been underestimated.
He said: "Some very seasoned head teachers have been calling me to say they will not be able to manage much longer.
"One said he had 17 members of staff call in sick.
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“And I think this will be replicated around the country.
"Some areas may be worst hit than others, but there's an inevitability about this.
“The trajectory cannot go anything other than downwards.
"People are saying they will do well to get to the end of the week."
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He revealed he had discussed contingency plans with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson during a meeting on Monday.
Some of what was discussed included how schools could best support the community should they close.
Mr Barton added: "If the assumption is we can't run schools as normal, what that may mean is getting ourselves some time to plan for the next phase of this.”
Also in the mix is the question of priority, with schools serving several different levels of socio-economic backgrounds.
Of this, Mr Barton said: "Would it be those with exams coming up or children on free school meals?"
Many have already criticised the government’s decision to keep schools open indefinitely, including NASUWT union head Chris Keates.
He said the move is causing chaos and confusion, as well as fear over pupils potentially carrying the virus.
Meanwhile, the National Education Union - a separate teaching union - has urged ministers to close schools.
It said it would be advising its members with underlying health conditions to stay at home and off work from next Monday.
Oftsed has been given permission by the government to suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years, and social care providers.