Thread by @pmdfoster

Lots of understandable frustration about teaching unions' apparent foot-dragging over govt's phased 'back to school' plan for June 1, but these 12 questions from NEU @NEUnion are worth pondering...because it's not just about the kids' safety, it's the wider impact #Coronavirus /1

@NEUnion Some of these questions over child transmission rates - given that the 'R' numbers are based on modelling - are probably impossible to answer definitively.

As is whether 'Danish-style' distancing in groups of 15 will really minimise risk. /2

@NEUnion But other questions - what's impact on teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds (given statistically increased risk of death from #COVID19) seem valid. They're not going to be wearing PPE....

Similarly teacher 70+, or those living with 70+ or those with health issues /3

@NEUnion Then there is scale. Given 2.1 million children are eligible to return to primary school on June 1 (Reception, Y1, Y6) how many will have #coronavirus? Jenny Harries, dep CMO, said v small risk on Fri, tho union says 1/370 have it now (1.3k staff and 5,7k pupils)...SO.../4

@NEUnion How many will have it on June 1 if infection rates continue to fall as at present?

And what is/will be capacity of track n trace system (which look like not being that ready on June 1) to manage hot spots and infections? /5

@NEUnion And what about regional variations? How nimble will Govt be for areas like the North East where Union says R is still 0.8 - 1.1 or even more localised hotspots? Govt advice does actually allow for regional variation. /6

See here: gov.uk/government/pub…

@NEUnion I share parents' frustration - and the need to get primary kids back to school fast. For emotional reasons, but also because - I'm told - because their cognitive development is relatively greater at that age, so they are relatively losing the most. /7

@NEUnion But at same time, we need to avoid second spike and many will feel that the Govt (given carehomes debacle, PPE failures etc) has frankly forfeited the right to be trusted on this stuff.

So should provide the evidence - as it sounded like (after Friday's meeting) was plan/8

@NEUnion Personally I'm crosser that the Unions blocked video learning for state school kids on flimsy "safeguarding grounds" when in my view they should have piled in - and then sorted out those without access to internet/screens. Most kids have phones. /9

@NEUnion That isn't to say teachers in state schools aren't doing lot to support kids - I'm impressed by mine in Brighton, setting and marking work etc - but it has created a huge gap with private sector and left kids at bottom of heap further behind IMO/10

@NEUnion But I digress - more soon on 'attainment gap' soon in @FT

For now, we need to start re-opening schools, but I think the early phases of this #COVID19 have amply demonstrated the perils of ill-thought out decision-making. Teachers and parents have the right to be reassured. ENDS

@NEUnion PS...to the point about track n trace and whether it needs to be stood up properly before kids go back to school, news from @SebastianEPayne

https://twitter.com/SebastianEPayne/status/1262357454643499008?s=20