On Saturday education secretary Gavin Williamson said that his “door was always open” to discuss the government’s decision to reopen schools.
He was talking specifically to the teaching unions, but no doubt a fair few teachers would like to be able to take him up on the offer. Sadly, of course, he was speaking metaphorically.
We asked teachers on Twitter what questions they would put to Mr Williamson if the door to his office really was open to them. Some of their most powerful questions are listed below.
Coronavirus: Is it safe to reopen schools?
Unsurprisingly perhaps, some teachers said they would ask Mr Williamson if he would care to join them on their first day back.
If you are so convinced “by the science” that it’s safe to reopen schools*, will you be prepared to volunteer in a reception class for a couple of days a week?
*obviously only applies to state schools only...
- KieronJ ??️? ? (@CarriesDog) May 18, 2020
Would you like to join us in the classroom at the start of June (minus PPE, of course, because schools are “low risk”) to see how it’s all going?
- SuzieB (@TheSuzieBee) May 18, 2020
Call for evidence
Meanwhile, others wanted to ask for more information on the scientific evidence behind reopening schools - in particular, they wondered why this hasn’t been released.
Q: Is a return to schools not a contradiction of @GOVUK given that small children can’t social distance & some tasks will require close contact?
Q: No studies of transmission rates in ?. How is it therefore safe to mix children from various households?
- Michael (@89mgraham) May 18, 2020
Why is @GavinWilliamson ignoring the advice of the @TheBMA who have said it is u safe to open English schools as the government describe in June ?
- Dr Helen J Williams ??#FF #stayhomeforthenhs (@helenjwc) May 18, 2020
why won’t they release the modelling of their guidance?
Why is social distancing or ppe not important in schools when it is the main control measure everywhere else?
If this is about disadvantaged children...what about those in the other year groups..why not pupil premium first
- Jon Le Fevre ? (@adven_slearning) May 18, 2020
Where’s the evidence this is safe? Have there really been no SAGE meetings since mid April? If yes how are you making your decisions? Have you actually studied evidence opposing your view? Have you looked into the Kawasaki related Illness children are getting?
- Skelly2525 (@Skelly2525) May 18, 2020
Travelling to school
Others questioned how teachers were expected to get to school safely, or if they could refuse to go on health and safety grounds.
Many school staff and pupils have no choice but to use public transport to get to school. In London in particular, will you ensure tubes & trains have the capacity to cope with increased numbers of commuters and will you ensure we can travel safely? @SadiqKhan
- mila (@Junipertwo) May 18, 2020
Can I refuse to go back to school on Health and Safety grounds?
How will pupil/ teacher ratio be sustained if teachers become ill and they and everyone they’ve been in contact with have to isolate?
Are you barmy?
- Bette DAVIS (@BetteDavis1928) May 18, 2020
Learning issues
Others teachers wondered about the benefit of young children returning to school if they won’t be able to take part in play-based learning.
EYFS (Reception) children learn through play and being sat at desks is rarely part of their learning - is it really envisaged that this can be established to enable social distancing? With 4 year olds?
- Vikki Dodd (@vikkiville) May 18, 2020
Have you ever worked in a primary school or even witnessed first hand how Reception and Year One learn?
- Terry Graves (@TGcoys) May 18, 2020
What would you ask? Let us know below.
