Around nine in 10 teachers oppose the prime minister’s plan for primary schools to open for three year groups from 1 June, according to a survey of nearly 50,000 union members.

The NEU teaching union polled its members after Boris Johnson announced his “first sketch of a road map” for coming out of lockdown in a speech last night.

Under the plans outlined by Mr Johnson, primary schools could reopen to all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 after half term.

But within an hour, 49,000 NEU members had responded to the survey, with results that the union says amount to “a resounding ‘no’”. 

Coronavirus: Reception, Y1 and Y6 may return to school from 1 June

Read: School reopening plan branded ‘reckless’

Background: Teachers set 5 tests for reopening schools

Some 85 per cent of respondents said they disagreed with the plans, and 92 per cent said they would not feel safe with the proposed wider opening of schools.

Of those with school-age children, 89 per cent said they felt it would be unsafe or very unsafe to send their children back to school. 

And 92 per cent said the government must meet the NEU’s five tests before schools can reopen.

Mary Bousted, NEU joint general secretary, said: “The government must work with the unions to establish a position which gains the confidence of staff in schools.”

Mr Johnson’s announcement last night was “out of step with Scotland and Wales” and showed “confusion about social distancing”, she said.

Dr Bousted added: “The prime minister describes this as a ‘first sketch’ of a roadmap but our members think this sketch must urgently be redrawn. 

“The incoherence in this plan has generated genuine fear. For school leaders, the lack of clarity about what is expected before or on 1 June is simply unacceptable.”

Leaders from other teaching and headteacher unions were quick to express their concerns last night.

More details on the plans are expected to be announced later today.