Schools reopening but return to homeschooling is feared

The Education Secretary has said face-to-face teaching will continue and remain “the norm” when schools reopen, despite concern homeschooling could return if mass Covid-related absences hit the teaching workforce.

With the first day of term in 2022 just days away, there are fears too many teachers will be off sick or having to self-isolate for all schools to begin the new term as normal.

Back up plans to homeschool pupils may be triggered, as reported by the Mirror. Other plans civil servants are reportedly working on include multiple classes being taught in larger halls.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said that the spread of Omicron means that “it is unavoidable” that some students and teachers will have to self-isolate, meaning “that some remote learning will be necessary”.

READ MORE:Face masks to return to secondary school classrooms in bid to curb Omicron spread

Mr Zahawi emphasised intentions to keep schools open via the following measures:

• Secondary school pupils will have to wear masks in classrooms

• All secondary schools have been asked to provide an on-site test for pupils

• A further 7,000 air purifiers are promised, to add to the 1,000 already announced, alongside 350,000 CO2 monitors.

• 12 to 15-year-olds are being encouraged to get fully vaccinated with two jabs and 16 and 17-year-old are now eligible for a booster dose.

• The Department for Education (DfE) is encouraging secondary, college, and university students, as well as education staff, to test themselves twice each week and have set up a priority route for schools to order kits.

• The Education Secretary also called upon former and retired teachers to return so bring additional support with a “Blitz” spirit.

Despite the measures, teachers have spoken out about their concern about the return to school – including calls for more air purifiers than those already promised.

In an email sent to schools on Sunday, the DfE also advised schools to deal with staff shortages by combining classes into larger groups.

Reacting to the news, one teacher wrote on Twitter: “Looks like next week I could be a teaching assistant in a combined class of 60 pupils with a retired supply teacher.

“I suppose two pupils to a chair will work… won’t it? Still, at least we will have masks on while the pupils copy from books because their usual teacher isn’t there.”

Amid reports of a shortage of Covid tests, there are concerns pupils won’t be able to get hold of tests.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “The difficulties the public have had in accessing lateral flow tests over the past few weeks has made many people nervous that they will not be available when needed for school staff and pupils.

“If lateral flow tests are to be critical to enabling pupils and staff to return to school quickly then there must be a ready supply available for schools as they go back in January and throughout the term.”

A senior Conservative MP Robert Halfon has said he fears mask-wearing in schools could damage children’s mental health as the Government insisted the extra precaution would help keep pupils learning.

However, the government stressed that the recommendation for both schools and colleges would be temporary, remaining in place until January 26, when Plan B regulations are scheduled to expire. At this point it will be reviewed.

A spokesperson for the DfE said last week: “We know children and young people want to be in the classroom and it is the very best place for their education and well-being, which is why protecting face-to-face education continues to be an absolute priority.”

Are you a teacher with concerns about the return to school? Get in touch lucy.williamson@reachplc.com