Dear Members,
We hope you are well. Prior to the announcement on Monday 22nd February 2021 by the Prime Minister that schools and colleges will be reopening wider to all pupils from Monday 8th March 2021, nine education organisations, including the NASUWT, put together a joint statement calling the plans ‘reckless’.
We remain concerned that this will trigger another spike in Covid infections, prolong the disruption of education, and risk throwing away the hard-won progress made in suppressing the virus over the course of the latest lockdown. We still believe that the science around the role that schools play in the overall rate of transmission is uncertain. Scientists have expressed different views on this point. What we do know is that the full reopening of schools will bring nearly 10 million pupils and staff into circulation in England – close to one fifth of the population. This is not a small easing of lockdown restrictions. It is a massive step.
These factors necessitate a cautious approach with wider school and college opening phased over a period of time. This is the approach being taken by the devolved administrations and it allows public health experts to assess the impact of the first phase before moving to the next. To read the full joint statement please click here.
The NASUWT recognises the concern and anxiety that many members may be feeling about the plans to fully reopen schools and colleges next week, so we wanted to put out a further update. The concerns raised in the joint statement issued prior to the announcement are still valid and we will continue to lobby local employers to consider a phased wider reopening in all settings next week.
Following the announcement, the Union sent out an update to all members which you can read here. The NASUWT has written to employers to remind them that with the impending reopening of schools and colleges, it is essential that their previous covid-security plans are revised and updated. Locally, we have written to employers in Coventry including the Local Authority today to make clear our current position and for employers to consider a phased return next week. The phased return ensures they can complete all necessary planning, consultation and training of staff required to safeguard the health and safety of staff and pupils. We will also continue to keep our Local Association website updated and keep our reps and members informed and provide support.
We have made clear that schools must be covid-secure before further pupils or staff return to school in light of the increased risks posed by COVID-19 and its variants by ensuring that:
- all risk assessment documentation is updated, shared and consulted on with staff so they can contribute, and any concerns can be raised and resolved before wider return.
- all risk mitigations identified by the risk assessments (i.e. 2 metres distance, wearing of masks, regular cleaning, movement around the school site, bubbling and grouping etc.) is in place before wider return.
- all individual risk assessments (i.e. VERAs) are updated with vulnerable staff before wider return so any concerns can be raised and resolved.
- Any updates or changes to policies, procedures including safety procedures be shared with staff before they are put in place.
Our national website has the latest advice and guidance including information for members on the 8th March Wider Reopening. We have also provided updated self-audit letters for members to use, an updated Health & Safety Checklist, Operational Guidance (which has important advice and guidance for schools and our members based on the latest Government guidance) and a Workload Checklist which have been shared with employers.
Before returning to work, is there anything I should expect to receive?
You should ask your Headteacher/Principal for the following:
- A copy of the school’s risk assessment – has it been reviewed and updated and whether your employer has consulted with staff on its content? Workplace Health and Safety Representatives should be provided with reasonable time off to consult with members, consider any risk assessment documentation, Health & Safety and Workload checklists, ensure compliance with our Operational Guidance and carry out any audits.
- If you are in a vulnerable group, an explanation as to how they have taken account of your needs and circumstances as part of the school’s risk assessment and individual risk assessment (i.e. VERA). Members can use the updated self-audit letters to support with this.
- An explanation as to what additional measures the school has introduced to manage the new risks associated with the new variant of the coronavirus?
- Confirmation that appropriate arrangements are in place for cleaning your classroom, work area and all communal areas within the school?
- Whether your school can confirm that appropriate 2 metre social distancing will be guaranteed at all times?
- Whether your school has arrangements in place to ensure the wearing of face masks in all communal areas within the school including the classroom especially if 2 metre social distancing cannot be guaranteed?
- Whether there are sufficient numbers of teaching and support staff in place at all times throughout the school day?
If your employer is unable or refuses to provide you with this information, you should contact the NASUWT immediately.
Whilst we have been pushing this with employers, it will be Workplace Representatives and/or individual members who will need to inform us if any of this has not been put in place for your safety. NASUWT remains committed to supporting members individually and collectively during this next stage of these challenging and difficult circumstances, as we have been throughout the whole of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further information, updates and advice along with Frequently Asked Questions can be found at the NASUWT Coronavirus Hub.
We will continue to lobby for a phased wider reopening of schools next week but in any case, schools must ensure they are covid-secure before the wider return of pupils or staff as outlined in this newsletter and in letters sent to employers.
Local Association Meeting
Further to our email last week, we would like to remind you that the next meeting of our Local Association is the Annual General Meeting being held on Tuesday 9th March 2021 starting at 5pm. Please add this date to your diary – we hope that you can attend. All Coventry Local Association NASUWT members are welcome. For further details on how to register and for the final agenda please refer to the email.
Local Association Elections
Further to our email last week, nominations for our Local Association Elections for positions to be taken up in 2021/22 closed on 9th February 2021. Not all positions received nominations and we are now seeking further nominations. The deadline for the nominations to be submitted is Tuesday 4th May 2021. For further details, please refer to the email.
TUC Conferences
Each year, the TUC run conferences for Black, disabled, LGBT+, women and young workers. These conferences and their elected committees guide the General Council and Congress in setting policy on relevant equalities issues.
For further details and to register, click here.
Supply Teachers’ Seminar – Saturday 13th March 2021
Support, advice and CPD opportunities will be available for our supply teachers at our online seminar taking place on Saturday 13th March 2021. Members will be able to raise questions and discuss the issues they face as a supply teacher during the pandemic.
There will also be a choice of workshops to attend, encompassing issues including agency mythbusters, alternatives to the agency model for employment, accessing sick pay and more.
Register now.
Big Question Survey 2021
It is now more important than ever than for you to share your experiences of teaching through the NASUWT’s Big Question Survey.
Big Question is the only annual, national survey of teachers and school leaders and asks for your views on all aspects of your working life including your mental health, pupil behaviour, workload, job satisfaction and more.
Your responses help shape our work to represent and support teachers and school leaders.
Rally for a workers’ Budget
On 2nd March, the evening before the Budget, members are urged to join us and other key workers for an online rally to demand decent pay, fair funding for our public services and safe workplaces.
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach will be addressing the rally alongside Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and other union leaders and frontline workers.
The Union will continue to keep you informed of developments and you are requested to please continue to monitor your emails and the NASUWT website for updates. This website will also have the latest updates for Coventry members.
If you have any concerns or need our support, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
NASUWT Coventry 