Teachers' union accuses government of creating 'chaos and confusion' over key workers - as some students return to Harrogate district schools

Friday was the last day at school for most children in the country until further notice, after the government stepped up its response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

It was also announced that vulnerable children, and those with a parent identified as a 'key worker', are able to return to their classrooms from today, Monday.

But, NASUWT, which represents teachers and headteachers, has said a lack of clear guidance from the government has plunged schools into 'chaos'.

Chris Keates, general secretary at the union, said: "Following the announcements on 18 March by the Government that all schools will be closed after Friday 20 March, the NASUWT advice lines have been jammed with hundreds of anxious and stressed teachers seeking guidance on the confusing and often contradictory messages they are receiving from Government, employers and the media.

“Schools have been plunged into chaos and confusion as they try to answer such basic questions as who are the key workers, how do we identify their children, what evidence is it reasonable to request from parents and what happens if other children turn up for school.

“Teachers are unclear whether they should be in work or out or what they will be expected to do if they are in work."

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With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rising, NASUWT has also urged the government to make teachers a priority to be tested and be provided with personal protective equipment.

“This would help to reassure many that keeping schools open for priority groups of pupils is not only necessary, but also the responsible thing to do," Ms Keates said.

So, who are 'key workers'?

The key worker's jobs are considered critical for the response to the pandemic. The full list includes:

- Frontline health workers such as doctors and nurses

- Some teachers and social workers

- Workers in key public services including those essential to the justice system, religious staff and public service journalists

- Local and national government workers deemed crucial to delivering essential public services

- Workers involved in food production processing, distribution, sale and delivery

- Public safety workers including police, armed forces personnel, firefighters and prison staff

- Essential air, water, road and rail transport workers

- Utilities, communication and financial services staff, including postal workers and waste disposal workers

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How are schools in the region responding?

North Yorkshire County Council said it is working with schools which cannot open to create community 'hubs' with staffing and resources to provide care for children.

Schools which are open will continue to provide meals for pupils attending. For those children who qualify for free school meals, but are being looked after at home, local arrangements will be made.

Home-to-school transport will also continue to operate where it is needed.

Judith Kirk, the council's Assistant Director of Education and Skills said: “We are currently working very hard in tandem with schools to ensure there are places in schools for those who need it, and also make sure those schools have sufficient staff, including cleaners and caterers, to remain open.

“We are obviously working in very challenging circumstances and, along with schools, doing our very best to keep schools open with the workforce available to us.

“If you work in a critical sector identified by the government, if your child needs specialist support, or is vulnerable, there will be a space for your child. But we do want to stress that if parents can keep their children at home, then we would ask that they do so, in order for us to keep schools open only for those children who need to attend.

“We are obviously working in very challenging circumstances and, along with schools, doing our very best to keep schools open with the workforce available to us."

The confirmed number of coronavirus cases in Yorkshire has risen to 211.

These figures are the latest released figures from Public Health England as of on Sunday, March 22.

There are 5,683 cases across the UK and 281 people have died.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter