Primary school leaders have voiced fears that the sector has been forgotten about in the government’s planning for managing Covid for the next academic year.
The Department for Education (DfE) has asked secondary schools and colleges to prepare to set up asymptomatic testing sites in September and education secretary Gavin Williamson has indicated that rules around self-isolating could be relaxed.
However, school leaders are highlighting how the approaches being discussed “would not work” in primary schools, and questioning what else is being planned.
A trial of using daily rapid tests on Covid contacts - as an alternative to self-isolation - has only been operating in secondary schools.
James Bowen, director of policy at the NAHT, said: “There doesn’t seem to be any thought so far for what will happen in primary schools in September.
“The approaches we have seen for managing Covid which have been talked about would not work in primaries and it is absolutely essential that the government show that they are considering all schools and not just secondaries.
“The daily contact testing as an alternative to isolation has only been trialled in secondary and it doesn’t seem realistic to think this could be done in primary schools.”
Mr Bowen also said setting up testing sites would not be practical in primary schools.
He added: “The end of term is only weeks away and primary school leaders need to know what will be expected in September. They need to know that primary schools are being considered and that it is not just secondaries only.”
The DfE emailed all schools this week telling them to prepare to set up testing sites. However, Tes understands that primary schools have since been told that this does not apply to them and is only being asked of secondary schools and colleges.
Headteachers have also voiced concerns on social media about primary schools being overlooked in the government’s Covid planning.
Once again parents being led to believe children won’t have to isolate from September. However, it’s only secondary students. Primaries either being thrown under the bus or completely forgotten!!!!! https://t.co/bnvf5wSxey
- Jamie Nairn (@covrules) June 29, 2021
In a post on Twitter, headteacher Jamie Nairn said: “Once again, parents being led to believe children won’t have to isolate from September. However, it’s only secondary students. Primaries either being thrown under the bus or completely forgotten!!!!!”
Primary head Grant Strudley also highlighted the lack of announcements on primary schools.
He said: “Seems clear government have the makings of a plan for September to avoid self-isolation of close contacts…Possible vaccinations for 12+ and ‘test to release’ via LFDs in secondary schools. And for primary schools? Nurseries?
Seems clear government have the makings of a plan for September to avoid self-isolation of close contacts…. Possible vaccinations for 12+ and ‘test to release’ via LFDs in secondary schools. And for primary schools..? Nurseries..? pic.twitter.com/xBuG9qVSTa
- Grant Strudley FCCT ????? (@gdstrudley) June 29, 2021
Yesterday education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The vast majority of children and young people are in school but I am aware that sadly a minority are experiencing disruption at the moment.
“While pupils who are self-isolating are being immediately provided with high-quality remote education, we know that the best place for children is in the classroom. That is why I am working with the health secretary, alongside scientists and public health experts, to relax Covid measures in schools in line with wider work to remove restrictions across society.
“I’ll be looking closely at the issues around the need for ongoing isolation of bubbles and the outcomes of the daily contact testing trial, as we consider a new model for keeping children in education.”
The DfE said it had written to all secondary schools and colleges asking them to prepare on-site testing when students return for the new academic year “so that schools are ready in case it is needed to keep as many children as possible in face-to-face education”.
The department also said it will provide further details about the approach to protective measures and test and trace in education from September in due course.
