Commenting on new survey data released today (Thursday 17 September 2020) by charity Education Support on school teacher and leader mental health and wellbeing, which shows that lack of timely government guidance was a key challenge for leaders throughout the coronavirus crisis, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said:

“Throughout this crisis, the government has singularly failed to provide school leaders with what has been needed. A lack of timely and relevant advice, ineffective wider support systems and inadequate extra funding – all have been woefully lacking and yet each element continues to be so desperately needed. Time and time again, school leaders have delivered what has been asked of them despite, and not because of, what has been coming from the government.

“In the first few days of term, 97 per cent of schools were able to open in full to all pupils. But the failure of the covid testing system, the refusal to fund covid safety measures in full, and allowing Ofsted inspectors back into schools so soon, are all big factors that the government need to get a grip of, otherwise the successful return to school will grind to a halt.”

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