Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “International Workers' Memorial Day is an important reminder each year of the amazing dedication shown by ordinary people. Employers and those in power must always take their duty of care seriously and meet it in full.

“Too many members of school staff teams have died during the ongoing pandemic. Today is a day to honour and remember them.

“It’s a sad fact that every year more people are killed at work than in wars. The trade union movement has always been a powerful collective force for good in the workplace. Unions make work safe.  We work tirelessly to offer our members support when and where they need it and to demand that governments and policy-makers take workers’ rights seriously.”

International Workers' Memorial Day or International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured, takes place annually around the world on April 28, an international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work.