Teachers' union warns 'stressed and exhausted' staff at Harrogate schools close to quitting careers

Concerns that schools are struggling to stay open as staff and students stay at home due to coronavirus prompted NASUWT to issue the warning during the same week that all Year 11 pupils at Harrogate Grammar School were told to self-isolate after a virus outbreak was confirmed.

Sharon Calvert, executive member for Harrogate at NASUWT, warned the pressures of the pandemic were leaving teachers "stressed, exhausted and worn out," with some considering quitting the profession or taking an early retirement.

"Teachers and headteachers in the Harrogate district and around the country are working flat out to maintain a quality education for children and young people despite the immense disruption caused by Covid-19," she said.

"The lack of a proper track and trace system and monitoring of cases within schools has meant that more and more teachers are absent from work because of illness or their need to self-isolate.

"This is putting enormous pressure on schools and their ability to remain open safely."

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Mrs Calvert called on the government to step up its support for schools and their climbing coronavirus costs from the use of hygiene equipment, supply teachers and moving classes online.

"The government has not done enough to support teachers in meeting the challenges of providing education to children and young people in these unprecedented circumstances," she said.

"The government must listen to teachers’ concerns and take urgent action to address their concerns on workload, health and safety and ensure that all schools receive the necessary funding."

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Harrogate Grammar School announced on Monday that all Year 11 students will have to take their mock exams at home due to a coronavirus outbreak.

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Amanda Newbold, assistant director for education at North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Teachers, school leaders, support staff and the wider school community have put in many hours of hard work, effort and planning to keep schools going over the past months and we greatly appreciate this.

“We found ourselves in an unprecedented situation this year, with much at stake; not least children’s education, wellbeing, mental health and future prospects. Schools in North Yorkshire responded by keeping schools open and education ongoing in the face of the most incredibly challenging of circumstances.

“We do not underestimate the effort this took and would like to thank every single person involved for the part they played in this."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter