Schools in Kent have been told to start preparing for a no-deal Brexit, which could lead to staff shortages, supply disruption and possible “lockdowns” due to rising air pollution.
The county council has sent a document to local schools outlining potential problems after the deadline for Britain to leave the European Union passes at the end of March.
The spectre of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal was looming large this week, as MPs sparred in Parliament over the prime minister’s proposed plan.
Kent, on the south coast, would likely be one of the worst-affected counties and the document says a no-deal exit could cause “several months” of disruption.
It warns schools that heavy freight traffic on main roads and around the ports could force them to close if pupils and staff are unable to travel from home.
The document advises them to “consider planning for possible lockdown if air quality deteriorates” because of additional traffic pollution and to prepare to implement additional security due to congestion.
How will a no-deal Brexit hit schools?
The extra traffic could result in more migrants arriving from the continent, it said, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Schools are also being told to liaise with their contractors over the impact of possible problems with the supply chains for food, fuel, medicines and services.
“The reduction in the level of disruption will likely be gradual and it may take weeks for services to return to stability,” the six-page document said.
Kent is not alone in worrying about a no-deal Brexit, and today British colleges released a blueprint laying out measures that they say must be taken to prepare.
The council does, however, point out that any immediate impact on Kent’s schools would be mitigated by the start of the Easter holidays in April.
Area education officer Ian Watts said the county council has a “duty to the families of Kent to ensure schools and other education settings do all they can to ensure continuity of provision, even in times of emergency”.
“At this stage, we cannot easily predict the eventual impact of the UK exiting the European Union, but it would be remiss to assume no impact,” he said.
“In respect of the comment on air quality, KCC acknowledge that if any schools are affected, the number is likely to be low. However, as with all aspects of emergency planning, it is prudent to have awareness of the possibility of heavier traffic and the effect that it may have on the need to manage pupil and staff movement.”
