Teachers union in Harrogate takes stand on mass testing of pupils

A major teaching union is advising teachers in the Harrogate district not to volunteer to help with Covid testing in local schools with a plea to Government that the pandemic is "seriously impacting on the ability of all schools to continue to operate normally and safely."
The NASUWT, which represents teachers, including headteachers, throughout the UK, said its members in Harrogate should not be distracted from their core task of teaching.The NASUWT, which represents teachers, including headteachers, throughout the UK, said its members in Harrogate should not be distracted from their core task of teaching.
The NASUWT, which represents teachers, including headteachers, throughout the UK, said its members in Harrogate should not be distracted from their core task of teaching.

The NASUWT, which represents teachers, including headteachers, throughout the UK, said its members should not be distracted from their core task of teaching.

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The call comes after the Government announced yesterday that it was to delay the return of schools after the Christmas break as testing programmes were drawn up.

All pupils in exam years will return during the week beginning January 11, with all secondary and college pupils returning full-time on January 18.

Most primary schools will open on January 4.

Ms Sharon Calvert, National Executive Member NASUWT, Harrogate Association, said: “The NASUWT has long-advocated for Covid-19 testing to be prioritised in schools and colleges in order to help keep schools safe.

"But teachers and school leaders are already making a critical contribution during the pandemic to the health and wellbeing of pupils by providing access to education.

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"Teachers and school leaders cannot be required to administer tests and the NASUWT would strongly advise that they do not volunteer to do so.”

Most schools in the Harrogate area are academies and not under the direct control of North Yorkshire County Council which has said mass testing in classrooms is an option, though it is not yet mandatory.

There has even been speculation Health Secretary Matt Hancock might deploy military personnel to do the job.

The NASUWT has argued that schools should not spend time during the festive holiday to prepare for the administration of the tests.

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Ms Calvert said: “The NASUWT will continue to press the Government to provide a credible, effective and nationally delivered plan for mass testing of pupils which will help keep pupils, the workforce and the public safe.”

What teachers union NASUWT says in full about pupils return to school

“The education of children and young people is of extreme importance to the Harrogate area and this can only be achieved if schools and colleges are able to operate safely.

“Teachers and Head Teachers have been calling for weeks for the Education Secretary to provide clear guidance and additional support and now schools in our area have received a last- minute announcement which is not helping them to deliver the best support and education possible for pupils.

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"It has been absolutely clear throughout the autumn term that the pandemic is seriously impacting on the ability of all schools to continue to operate normally and safely with staff absences and increased costs due to cleaning and taking on supply staff to cover absence.

"Primary, Secondary and Special Needs schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough have faced continued and unnecessary uncertainty which has created huge anxiety for pupils, parents and staff which could and should have been avoided.

"NASUWT has said that secondary schools and colleges should be permitted to restrict onsite provision to pupils who are vulnerable, together with children of frontline/key workers and the Government has belatedly accepted this.

"Stronger preventative action is needed including enabling the greater use of remote and blended learning which would enable effective social distancing which is vital to minimising virus transmission.

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"The introduction of mandatory wearing of face masks or visors within school and college buildings must also be considered, together with additional provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).

"Relying on virtual support from military personnel is not a basis for delivering a robust and reliable programme of effective mass testing in schools and must be accompanied by additional personnel on the ground.

"A commitment from the Government to prioritising teachers and education staff for access to the Covid-19 vaccine is also necessary to deliver on the Education Secretary’s ambition to keep schools and colleges open and ensuring that staff and students are safe and Covid-free within the Harrogate District."

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