The NASUWT says lockdown requests have ‘intensified’ in last week amid speculation of an early return.
Schools, colleges and nurseries closed more than six weeks ago due to the coronavirus outbreak
Schools have been asking teachers to come into work during lockdown to decorate classrooms, attend face-to-face meetings and make fresh preparations for a reopening, a union has claimed.
NASUWT, the teachers’ union, says it has received reports of teachers being brought back into work amid speculation that schools will be asked to reopen to more pupils before the summer.
Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, has said the requests – which he called “wholly inappropriate” – have “intensified” in the past week following reports of an early return.
In recent days, teachers have been told to come into school to get them “used to” the workplace and to get classrooms ready for social distancing measures, according to the union leader.
Dr Roach has urged schools not to act prematurely as staff are being put “at risk unnecessarily”.
Schools, colleges and nurseries closed more than six weeks ago due to the coronavirus outbreak, remaining open only for vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers.
Boris Johnson promised to deliver a “comprehensive plan” this week on how the UK lockdown may be eased and suggested that he would set out efforts to get children back to school.
On Sunday, First Minister Mark Drakeford said schools in Wales could be allowed to reopen their doors from the start of June in a phased approach.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said schools in England are set to reopen in a “phased manner” after the lockdown but he has yet to set a date.
A survey, carried out by the NASUWT, shared with the PA news agency, suggests that some teachers are being asked to attend schools on days when no children are in.
The poll found 7% of teachers said they have had no pupils come into school each day.
Up to 15 members of staff have attended an individual school at one time even when no pupils are in, according to the survey of more than 1,000 NASUWT members.
One teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, was asked by his school in the North West of England to attend a face-to-face meeting with 25 colleagues this week to prepare for reopening.