By Gavin Mackintosh-
One of the biggest academy trusts in England has announced plans to open all its 35 primary schools on the 1st of June.
Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis trust, is determined to have pupils studying in his schools return back to education at the earliest opportunity. Chalke says opposition to the reopening of schools is “rather middle class and the union advice is “lopsided”, and fails to recognise the harm to disadvantaged children from missing school.
The move by the Oasis academy trust follows a week of debates over the safety of primary schools resuming on 1 June.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed plans during his May 7 road map speech for the phased opening of nurseries, reception, and year 1 and year 6 people beginning from early June. Mr Johnson said his plans will be frequently reviewed.
However, teachers’ unions have expressed concerns about opening schools safely by that date.
However Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said in a Daily Mail column that he has arranged today’s meeting to brief teachers’ representatives on “the scientific advice underpinning our approach”.
The best place for youngsters to learn is in school and I have wanted to get more children back there as soon as possible,” he wrote, adding that whilst parents had done a good job in helping children learn, “nothing can take the place of a teacher”.
Mr Williamson said he acknowledged the importance of safety, but added the need for awareness of the potential damage to a child’s education from not getting them back in the classroom
The best place for youngsters to learn is in school and I have wanted to get more children back there as soon as possible,” he wrote, saying while parents had done a good job in helping children learn, “nothing can take the place of a teacher”.
Mr Williamson said if scientific advice said a “limited number” of children could be sent back to school, it was his duty to allow this to happen.
“Of course safety comes first but we must also be aware of the potential damage to a child’s education from not getting them back in the classroom,” he wrote
Mr Chalke said: “The greatest risks for many of our children are being stuck in a council block, with no fresh air, no exercise, little or no nutritious food.”
Many of their pupils “live in cramped conditions with little digital access” and so will struggle with schools only operating online, he said.
Mr Chalke said the schools would not be “forcing anyone to attend”, either pupils or staff, and that he “respects the union’s opinion”.
He said safety measures would be in place, but the “long-term social cost” of not opening will “outweigh any short-term medical risks”.
Safe
The NASUWT teacher’s union issued a joint statement with eight other unions against the re- opening of schools from 1 June because it was still not clear that it was safe.
Leaders of teachers’ unions plan to meet the government’s chief scientific advisers on Friday – giving them the first chance to put questions directly about the evidence behind the decision to reopen schools.
It follows a series of challenges to the Department for Education to publish the scientific advice showing that a return to school would not increase the risk of spreading the virus.
“It is important to understand that we’re not trying to impede the reopening of schools. We very much want to see children back in classrooms,” said Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers’ union.
“But we have always said that the time must be right, and there must be a clear, and robust set of guidance which ensures that this can be done in a way which is safe.”