County Council Asks Schools to Open as Normal Despite Rising Infection Rates

Published on: 3 Jan, 2021
Updated on: 3 Jan, 2021

By Martin Giles

Surrey County Council (SCC) is asking primary schools to re-open in accordance with government directions despite fears from some parents that this will increase the risk of Coronavirus transmission.

Primary schools are expected to return from tomorrow (Monday, January 4) while later this month there will be a phased return for secondary schools, incorporating increased testing. Decision-makers acknowledge they face a fast-changing situation and further changes might be necessary, making it difficult for teachers to plan.

At government level, the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, is having to face down criticism from some senior colleagues said to have been alarmed by the continuing rise of infections and advice that reopening schools will make it impossible to keep the R number below 1.

Teaching unions are also concerned. The UK’s largest, the National Education Union (NEU), has said the reopening of schools in England should be delayed for at least two weeks following reports of an increasing infection rate associated with the new strain of Covid-19 spreading from London and the South East.

A statement on the NEU website gives the following advice: “…in our view, [it is] unsafe for you to attend the workplace at present. We have written to all employers and all headteachers and principals giving this same advice and asking them to make preparations for a move to remote learning instead.”

Cllr Julie Iles.

Surrey County Councillor Julie Iles (Con, The Horsleys), cabinet member for all-age learning, said: “SCC continues to work with school leaders and we communicate directly with national DfE/DHSC teams.

“The phased return for secondary-aged children will enable testing to get under way. We welcome the additional precaution that things in Tier 4 will be kept under review.”

Cllr Fiona White, (Lib Dem), who represents Guildford West at the county council, said: “There is lots of concern among parents, especially over the risk of children transmitting the virus to older members of their families.

Cllr Fiona White

“I have not had a big mailbag on this but the views are expressed from my extensive circle of contacts.”

This evening (January 3) a statement from SCC said: “We would like to thank all of our school leaders and staff for their continued hard work and dedication during this difficult time.

“At the time of writing, primary schools in Surrey are requested to open as normal this coming week in line with government guidance.

“However, we will continue to monitor the rapidly changing national situation closely and if the local position changes we will make this clear and provide support to our schools.”

Responses to County Council Asks Schools to Open as Normal Despite Rising Infection Rates

Jacob Allen Reply

January 4, 2021 at 2:27 am

The science shows Covid is spreading in schools. Surrey should heed the word of the NEU and the other teaching unions and close the schools, resuming home learning (except for keyworker’s kids and vulnerable pupils). The safety of school staff, students and their families is paramount.
John Perkins Reply

January 4, 2021 at 1:57 pm

There is no such thing as “the science”. It may well be that union leaders agree amongst themselves, but that doesn’t make them right even, let alone scientific.

There is plenty of evidence which shows when teachers don’t do the job they are paid to do it’s the poorer members of society who suffer.

What about the safety of, say, shop workers, bus drivers and police? Is their safety of less concern than that of teachers?