More than half of teachers are concerned about being exposed to Covid-19 as schools return to teaching all pupils this week, a survey has revealed.

One in five teachers and school staff are also said to be worried about how to support pupils who have experienced loss or bereavement during the pandemic.

A new report into the mental health and well being of teachers and other school staff during the coronavirus crisis reveals the major worries of staff as they return to educating all pupils.

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A poll of more than 2,000 staff found that only 6 per cent said they were not concerned about making the transition this month.

The research, seen by Tes, has been carried out by YouGov for the organisation Education Support, for a major new report into teachers’ health and well being during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to be published later this month.

More than 2,000 teachers and school staff were asked what concerns them most about making a transition back to work following the partial shutdown of schools earlier this year.

• 59 per cent were worried about Covid-19 returning;
• 51 per cent said they were concerned that they may be exposed to the coronavirus;
• 41 per cent said they were concerned about ensuring pupils were safe;
• 20 per cent were concerned about how to support pupils who may have experienced loss or bereavement. 

Sineád McBrearty, the chief executive of Education Support said: “These initial findings from our upcoming report provide further evidence of the anxieties we know many teachers are experiencing as the new term begins. 

 “Many staff responded that they considered the restoration of their pupils and students’ wellbeing to be a first priority, with other work such as data collecting, testing and exams given lesser importance.

“We know that the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and pupils is closely inter-connected, and many teachers are concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their pupils and schools’ capacity to provide support.  We would urge teachers struggling to seek support.”

The findings echo a survey carried out by Tes that also highlighted concerns among staff about schools returning to educate all pupils.

This found that nearly two-thirds of school staff have expressed worry or fear about their personal safety.

The poll of nearly 6,000 school staff in England found that almost half of respondents - 49 per cent - said they were “worried” about the impact school reopening would have on their own safety, while a further 15 per cent said they were “frightened”.

It also found that more than three-quarters of school staff have said they feel government guidelines on safety will be “impossible” or “difficult” to achieve.

And an overwhelming 9 in 10 school staff lack confidence in the government’s test and trace policy to ensure schools can open safely, while more than a third (35 per cent) have said they feel the government’s approach to Covid safety in schools “won’t work’ and will leave them “at risk”.

Commenting on the latest survey findings, Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders said: “It is understandable that many staff are worried about the return to school given the recent circumstances of a national lockdown and a global pandemic.

“However, schools have worked very hard to put in place safety measures to minimise the risks associated with coronavirus and protect staff and pupils.

“We hope that staff will feel reassured and that confidence will build over the course of time as the patterns of school life resume. It is a sad reality of the pandemic that some pupils will have experienced bereavement.

“Schools have very good pastoral systems in place to support young people who have suffered a loss.”

Teachers can contact Education Support’s confidential helpline at any time to speak to a trained counsellor.