Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “School teams are being relied upon to lead the country out of the pandemic. They are being required to work with large groups of people who carry at least as much potential for infection as anyone else. Those groups often occupy confined and unventilated spaces for long periods of time with only rudimentary PPE.

“The fact that it may have added some complexity to roll out is not a good enough reason not to prioritise the needs of committed professionals. A sick teacher is a teacher away from class which will mean further disruption to a pupil’s education and could well mean that they may need to be educated from home again.

“I am amazed by the continuing dedication of school teams. The government has let them down at every turn.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk