Teachers classed as “clinically extremely vulnerable” are being advised to work from home during the second national lockdown starting tomorrow.
And clinically extremely vulnerable pupils should also study from home, new Department for Education guidance states.
But staff who are classed as “clinically vulnerable”, including pregnant teachers and those with diabetes, have been told to continue attending work.
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And teachers or pupils living with somebody who is clinically extremely vulnerable should also continue coming into school, the DfE has said.
Coronavirus: Guidance for ‘extremely vulnerable’ teachers and pupils
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union the NAHT, warned that the restrictions around clinically extremely vulnerable staff will mean that “some schools may now find it increasingly difficult to remain open to all pupils”.
And Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, voiced similar concerns.
He said it was “absolutely the right decision” to tell clinically extremely vulnerable staff and pupils not to come into school.
“But it will mean that there are more staff missing from the workplace, on top of those who are self-isolating,” he added.
Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said the measures should be more “robust”.
“Ministers now need to go further and issue more robust measures to protect all staff, including clinically vulnerable, pregnant, disabled and BAME [black, Asian and/or minority ethnic] teachers,” he said.
Under the sub-heading “staff”, the new DfE guidance states: “Those individuals who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to work from home and not to go into work. Individuals in this group will have been identified through a letter from the NHS or from their GP, and may have been advised to shield in the past.
“Staff should talk to their employers about how they will be supported, including to work from home where possible, during the period of national restrictions.
“All other staff should continue to attend work, including those living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.”
It adds: “Staff and children who are clinically vulnerable or have underlying health conditions but are not clinically extremely vulnerable, may continue to attend school in line with current guidance.”
The new DfE guidance also states: “Those children whose doctors have confirmed they are still clinically extremely vulnerable are advised not to attend education whilst the national restrictions are in place. Schools will need to make appropriate arrangements to enable them to continue their education at home.
“Children who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but who are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, should still attend education.”
