Fears coronavirus rates will increase as students return to the classroom
The measures in place during the last academic year like mask wearing, social distancing and year group bubbles have all been scrapped
The Wakefield National Education Union fears there could be an increase in coronavirus as students return to the classroom next week.
The measures in place during the last academic year, like year group bubbles and self-isolation after contact with someone with COVID, have been scrapped.
Instead, pupils will have to take a PCR test if they are in close contact with someone who has coronavirus, but will only isolate if they test positive themselves.
High school students have been asked to take two lateral flow tests in their first week back and continue home testing throughout term time.
There's been a rise in cases since schools in Scotland went back, and education reps are anticipating the same scenario over in England.
Sally Kincaid from the Wakefield National Education Union said:
"In Scotland schools have opened without mandatory mask wearing or social distancing and the covid rates have rocketed.
"The government is taking a gamble with the health and wellbeing with the health and wellbeing of both staff and pupils and the general community by removing the need to wear mask and safety measures such as social distancing."
When asked what schools should be doing to minimise the risk of coronavirus, she said:
"Avoiding large gatherings such as school assemblies or whole school groups, avoiding face to face staff meetings where possible and the same with parents evenings, there's no reason these can't be done online as previous and we must keep all the windows open."
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Education remains a national priority, and the success of the vaccine programme means schools and colleges will deliver high-quality, face-to-face education to their pupils, with minimal disruption.
“That is why the measures in place strike the right balance between making schools safe - with enhanced ventilation, Covid testing and vaccinations of older students and staff - and reducing disruption by removing bubbles and face coverings.”