National Education Union publishes figures showing estimated increased risk of Covid infection for teachers

Using Department for Education (DfE) attendance data, the National Education Union has calculated that on average teachers are estimated to have a Covid infection rate 1.9 times higher than the general population which rises to a rate which is three times greater for teaching assistants in primary schools.

The NEU also claims that teaching assistants in special schools have an estimated infection rate risk which is seven times higher.

Portsmouth teacher and NEU regional representative Amanda Martin said: ‘These shocking figures raise raise further very serious questions about the handling of coronavirus in schools. Why have ministers repeatedly told school staff and the public there was no reason for concern when these figures indicate there should have been real concern about the much higher Covid infection rates of teachers and school staff?

Priory School headteacher Stewart Vaughan feels the government needs to be upfront about the reality of the risks.

He said: ‘What is frustrating is the constant reference that teachers are as safe as anyone else. It would be much better if there was an acceptance from the government that if you are in an environment with hundreds of young people then there is a degree of risk.

‘Teachers are incredibly devoted but we are not stupid and know that if you are surrounded by 30 pupils in a classroom then there is going to be an enhanced risk.’

Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton, added: ‘It does seem plausible that if you are going to be amongst a group of people each day then you are going to be at greater risk.

‘You can never say schools have been 100 per cent safe. Throughout the pandemic calculated decisions have been made weighing up the balance of the importance of children being in school and helping to keep the economy going against infection rates.

‘What was ridiculous was on the morning before lockdown the prime minister was insisting schools were safe and by the same evening he was saying they were being closed as they were vectors of transmission.’

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Mr Vaughan said: ‘If you say that it’s your priority to get schools back as quickly as possible then vaccinating members of staff has to also be a priority.’

The Covid infection rates were calculated by using data sets showing the number of teachers and school leaders, teaching assistants and other staff absent with a confirmed case of coronavirus.

The NEU says it used the data as a proportion of the school’s working population to estimate the rate of coronavirus infection amongst school staff.

The DfE has disputed the findings. A spokesman said: ‘We do not recognise the NEU’s figures. SAGE independent scientific advisers have repeatedly said there is no evidence that teachers are at higher risk of infection than those working in other sectors.

‘The government rightly did everything possible to keep schools open – as they are the best place for young people’s education, development and wellbeing.

‘All safety measures in place over the autumn term remain in place to help protect staff and students, while the national lockdown helps reduce transmission in the wider community.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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