Solihull Council says its schools won't be ready for June 1st re-opening

  • Central
The Government plans for a phased re-opening of schools on June 1st. Credit: PA Images

Solihull Council has announced its schools may not be ready in time for the Government's proposed phased reopening for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and 6 for June 1st.

It is believed to be the first Conesrvative-led council to question the proposed start date.

The leader of the council, Ian Courts, said:

Take a look at how schools in your area could look when pupils return to the classroom.

The council’s announcement comes as a poll from teachers' union NASUWT suggested that only 5% of teachers think it will be safe for more pupils to return to school next month.

In a letter to the Education Secretary, Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said the union remains "unconvinced" that wider reopening of schools from June 1 is "appropriate or practicable".

The survey, of nearly 29,000 NASUWT members across England, found that around nine in 10 teachers believe that social distancing will be impossible, or will present major issues and a similar amount are not confident that the proposed measures will protect their health or the health of pupils.

It also found that 87% of teachers believe that PPE is essential to protect staff against the virus.

Dr Roach said:

The union leader called for all the scientific evidence from the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) to be made available to teachers and schools as soon as possible.

Over 370,000 people have signed a petition asking the government not to send children back to school.

Recently, ITV News Central viewers also responded to a survey on our Facebook page.

In the unscientific poll, out of eight and a half thousand responses, nearly six and a half thousand said they'd be uncomfortable sending their children back to school in June.

On May 16th, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stood firm on schools in England reopening on June 1 and said it is based on the "best scientific advice".

Mr Williamson sought to reassure parents worried about children returning to school that the Government’s proposals are based on the "best scientific advice with children at the very heart of everything we do".

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know: