Most school leaders lack confidence in Covid guidance

Union NAHT has surveyed 1,106 school leaders, which shows that the majority lack confidence in the government’s Covid guidance.  Only 14% said they have any confidence, and 78% saying they are ‘unconfident’ or ‘very unconfident’. In particular, school leaders raised specific concerns about the current rules relating to self-isolation for close family contacts, with 80% wanting to see changes in that area.

School leaders also say that they want to see the government do more in relation to improving ventilation, with 59% calling for the government to do more to help improve ventilation in classrooms and 40% calling for the government to provide air filters where necessary.

The survey also highlights the scale of disruption schools continue to experience this term, with 26% saying they have already breached the threshold for cases set by the government. Respondents also reported that, on average, they have already had three members of staff absent this term due to Covid.

Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “Clearly Covid and Covid-related absence is still interrupting education for staff and students. We are hearing from members on a daily basis who are still experiencing a high level of disruption.

“Our members are particularly concerned about the current guidance relating to siblings and household contacts. At the moment, if a child tests positive for Covid, their siblings can continue to attend school, even if they share a bedroom, for example. Our members say this is actively contributing to the spread of Covid in schools.

“School leaders want the government to revisit its guidance, particularly when it comes to contact tracing and self-isolation. No one wants to see a child miss any time off school, but there is a real risk that the current policy is inadvertently leading to more children missing school in the long run.

“The results of this survey, coupled with the latest data on case numbers among school-aged children, should be ringing alarm bells for government. Put simply, we cannot allow Covid to rage unchecked in schools as it will only lead to more disruption to children’s education.

“We now have a new Secretary of State for Education and we look forward to working with him to ensure that school leaders can have confidence in government guidance and that everything possible is done to minimise disruption to education as we move into the winter.”

NAHT’s research is published as the association gathers for its Annual Conference in London (Fri 8th-Sat 9th), where new Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi will address school leaders in person for the first time.