Coronavirus: Teaching unions commend government on school closures

TEACHING union leader and Portsmouth teacher, Amanda Martin, has commended the government on agreeing to meet all requests in the decision to close schools once they finish for the day on Friday.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

In her role as president of the National Education Union, the country’s biggest union, Ms Martin and other senior members wrote to the prime minister outlining their requirements for school closures across England.

The letter stated: ‘We suggest school leaders work on plans for more limited opening to ensure that we can look after the children of parents who must do the work our society needs - including NHS staff, food and distribution workers, police, prison and fire brigade staff and those who are working to produce medical equipment, including hopefully industries being re purposed to produce ventilators.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The letter also stipulated that ‘nutritious meals’ must be maintained for those children from low income families who are entitled to this provision.

National Education Union president, Amanda Martin, has said the government's school closure response has met all their requests.

Picture: Habibur RahmanNational Education Union president, Amanda Martin, has said the government's school closure response has met all their requests.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
National Education Union president, Amanda Martin, has said the government's school closure response has met all their requests. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Read More
Coronavirus in Portsmouth: latest updates as first patient dies at QA Hospital, ...

Following the secretary of state for education, Gavin Williamson’s announcement on Wednesday that schools would remain open for key workers, Ms Martin said: ‘I must say the government has listened to what we as professionals have said is needed and have done all the things we have asked.

‘It’s vital there is provision for those children of key workers from the NHS, police and delivery services so they can continue to carry out their roles.’

Mr Williamson also announced the government will set up a voucher system for those children entitled to free school meals.

Simon Graham, headteacher at St Edmund's Catholic School, wants clarity over how students who were to be sitting exams will now be assessed. 

Picture: Allan HutchingsSimon Graham, headteacher at St Edmund's Catholic School, wants clarity over how students who were to be sitting exams will now be assessed. 

Picture: Allan Hutchings
Simon Graham, headteacher at St Edmund's Catholic School, wants clarity over how students who were to be sitting exams will now be assessed. Picture: Allan Hutchings
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Martin added: ‘While we don’t yet know how this system will work there is a commitment from the government to ensure this provision continues.’

While Ms Martin has praised the government for listening to their requests she does feel pressure from unions has contributed to bringing about the decision to close schools.

She said: ‘To be fair to the government I don’t think they could really have closed the schools any sooner. However the I do feel the advice we put out to our vulnerable members that they should not be in school has helped to push the government towards this decision.’

EXAM CONCERNS

While the union has welcomed a firm decision on the scrapping of this year’s examinations, headteachers are concerned about the impact school closures can have on education and how students will be awarded their grades for colleges and universities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The letter from the National Education Union (NEU) stated: ‘This requires that Standard Assessment Tests are abandoned and that you produce proposals on the inevitable widespread disruption to GCSE and A level exams.’

The government has confimed that no examinations will take place this year - a move welcomed by the teaching unions.

NEU president and Portsmouth teacher, Amanda Martin, said: ‘We welcome the clarity that exams are to be scrapped - we are one of the few countries in Europe who still actually sit exams. ‘

However, the move has left headteachers concerned about how children will now be awarded their grades.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Simon Graham, headteacher at St Edmund’s Catholic School, said: ‘Our biggest worry is the uncertainty for students about to take examinations. Some students could leave with no qualifications or lower grades than expected.

‘At present we have still not received any advice, guidance or contingency plan for these students. As the exams are due to start after Easter there is a high level of anxiety and worry amongst these students.’

Ian Gates, headteacher of The Cowplain School, added: ‘Clearly we need more information and direction from the government before looking at plans on how to proceed.’

Ms Martin has said she has been assured that some form of teacher assessments will now be used to to award students their qualification grades.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Nick Gibb, minister of state at the Department for Education, has categorically said that students will be awarded grades for their academic attainment. I believe this will be some form of teacher assessment, although the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) are going to be meeting with exam boards about how to implement this,’ said Ms Martin.

The NEU is confident that teachers will be able to make accurate judgements in awarding the correct grades to students.

‘Teachers can look at previous assessments, mock exams and coursework for those subjects which still have it,’ added Ms Martin.

While schools and colleges await greater clarity on how any curriculum will be implemented for children continuing to attend lessons, school leaders have been proactive in preparing for the prospect of home education.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Principal at Portsmouth College, Simon Barrable, said: ‘Given that we have Apple Distinguished School status, with all staff and students using iPads inside and outside of class, we are very well set up for distance learning online. Teaching and learning will continue in this way.’

Head teacher at Park Communirty School in Havant, Chris Anders, added: ‘Like most schools we have set up on-line resources for each subject and each year.’

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.