The majority of support staff are worried that reopening schools will put children and their families at risk, a survey suggests.

Less than 1 per cent of school support staff think it is possible for children aged under 7 to properly social distance from staff and from their peers, according to a poll by the GMB union.

The survey of more than 14,000 support staff in schools suggests 96 per cent are worried about the health of pupils and their families if schools reopen.

Unions: Schools should not plan for 1 June opening

Background: All primary pupils to be back in school before summer

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The poll - of teaching assistants, admin staff and caretakers - comes after the government announced its ambition for all primary school pupils in England to go back to school for a month before the summer.

The government expects children to be able to return to nurseries and childcare settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils to be back in school from 1 June at the earliest.

Guidance released by the Department for Education (DfE) has said all staff and pupils attending an education or childcare setting will have access to a test if they display symptoms of Covid-19.

But the survey found less than 12 per cent of support staff say they are confident that adequate Covid-19 testing will be available for staff.

Karen Leonard, GMB national officer, said: “Our members are desperate to see the pupils and return to doing the jobs they love, but only when it is safe to do so.

“Our survey responses demonstrate how terrified they are of the government’s careless approach to a wider reopening of schools.

“It’s impossible for young children to socially distance and current plans would put lives at risk.

“We urge the government to enter into immediate talks with the education unions to plan a clear strategy to protect communities, pupils and staff.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, warned that primary schools will struggle to operate smaller class sizes and encourage children to take part in social distancing.

He told MPs on Tuesday that the NAHT was not consulted on specific plans, announced in recent days, to admit pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from 1 June.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, urged members on Tuesday not to engage with planning for a return next month until further union advice had been issued.

Jon Richards, head of education at Unison, which represents school support staff, also advised members against making plans until a joint position was agreed with the education unions.

If schools are unable to open safely before September because they cannot make arrangements to safeguard staff and pupils, then this position should be accepted, the NASUWT teaching union has said.

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said on Tuesday: “1 June 2020 is the date from when schools may be able to extend their opening arrangements.

“It is neither a fixed nor hard-and-fast date by which all schools must open and there is no requirement or obligation currently on any school to reopen to more pupils from that date.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “We want children back in schools as soon as it is safe because it is the best place for them to learn and benefit from important social interactions.

“Plans for a phased return of some year groups from 1 June, at the earliest, have been drawn up in close consultation with the sector and are based on the best scientific and medical advice. The welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision making.

“We have engaged with the unions throughout the past seven weeks and will continue to do so, including to develop further guidance for the sector.”