The government must develop a “proper workforce plan” for schools in the new year in order to prevent “defacto school closures”, Labour has said.

The shadow schools minister Stephen Morgan has written to the Department for Education urging it to ramp up basic Covid protections for schools to minimise disruption and to use the Christmas holidays to get ahead of the virus.

His letter to schools minister Robin Walker comes after education secretary Nadhim Zahawi called on schools to help enlist ex-teachers to work to cope with staffing shortages.

Concerns are mounting over the level of absence schools could face as Omicron cases in England continue to increase.

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Mr Morgan’s letter, seen by Tes, calls for a workforce plan to prevent “defacto school closures” if more teachers and school staff are required to self isolate.   

It comes as the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that more than one in 20 primary school-age pupils tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

Mr Morgan said: “I write following the Urgent Question in the Commons earlier this week to urge you to ramp up basic Covid protections in schools to minimise ongoing disruption to children’s education and keep kids learning together next term.

“The Omicron variant means we are facing another difficult winter for our children, and for everyone who works in schools.

“We both agree schools must be open, with real and effective steps to drive down transmission in every community.

“But there must be a proactive plan in place to achieve this”

“It’s crucial that you use the Christmas break to get ahead of the virus.”

Labour calls for the government to adopt a vaccine guarantee, so all 12-15 year olds can get vaccinated by the end of the Christmas break.  Currently, less than half of the pupils in this age group have been jabbed.

It has also urged ministers to ensure schools have capacity to carry out Covid testing, and it repeated calls to use exclusion orders to protect schools that have been targeted by anti-vaccine protestors.

The government has said that, from next week, pupils aged 12 to 15 can start to receive their second vaccine and it has urged teachers to get their booster jabs over the Christmas holidays.

Tes revealed last month that the DfE had asked secondary schools to run on-site Covid tests in January on pupils return.

Mr Walker said in parliament last week that schools would have a “small amount of flexibility” about when they can return in January.

He also told MPs that schools would have the tests they need.

A DfE spokesperson said:  “We are incredibly grateful to teachers and all education staff for their efforts to keep young people in face-to-face education.

“We know children and young people want to be in the classroom and it is the very best place for their education and wellbeing.

“In response to rising cases and the Omicron variant we have asked older students and staff to wear face coverings in communal areas, and the Education Secretary has written to all education staff to explain what we’re doing to support the workforce, boost supply teacher capacity, and keep children in school.

“We strongly encourage students, staff and families to keep testing regularly and get their booster jab - or second jab if they are 12-15 - as soon as possible.”