Coronavirus

The updates that have been made to Government guidance are last minute and partial. NEU and other education unions have published updated guidance to minimise the risk of Covid-19 spread and any disruption to education. The joint unions have also published updated guidance for staff at greater risk.

The NEU is calling on the Government to have a plan B for schools which includes:

• Vaccinations, including boosters, protect staff, their communities and the provision of face-to face education. Ideally staff and pupils should also test daily.
• Risk assessments should be updated to reflect Omicron data and must fully address individual circumstances.
• Where ventilation cannot keep CO2 at safe levels, supplemental ventilation, such as a HEPA filtration unit should be provided
• Face coverings should continue to be worn in secondary school teaching and communal areas.
• Classes should not mix to cover staff shortages. Instead mixing should be minimised. Face to face meetings should move online – where not possible, they should be social distanced.
• Teachers should not cover for planned absences, nor support staff cover for absent teachers unless individual agreement is reached.

As term progresses, you can rely on your union's support in seeking to protect you while you continue to deliver education to students.