PRESSURE is mounting for the government to close schools in England, as teaching unions have told primary school staff it is “unsafe” to return to work because of rising Covid infections.

The Gazette posed the question to our readers yesterday, and many of those who responded believe schools should not open on Monday.

However, the head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, has now spoken out to say closing schools to tackle Covid puts children’s lives on hold and should be kept to an “absolute minimum”.

The government has said school closures are a “last resort” to control the virus.

A statement released by the National Education Union said it is “calling on all primary schools to move to remote learning for the first two weeks of January except to vulnerable children and the children of key workers”.

It has written to employers urging them to look at the advice of SAGE, the government’s scientific advisory group, and to use its model letter to inform their headteacher that it is “unsafe for them to be in school – in crowded buildings with no social distancing, no PPE and inadequate ventilation”.

Headteachers have begun legal action to force ministers to reveal data behind the decision for some schools to reopen on Monday.

Most primary schools in England are expected to open tomorrow, while secondary schools will reopen on a staggered basis, with exam year pupils returning on January 11, and others a week later on January 18.

There were mixed views from Gazette readers as to whether the schools should reopen on Monday.

Single mum Clare Nye said: “I’m worried sick on what will happen if schools do close. I’m a single parent and if my kids aren’t in school, I can’t work. I am classed as a key worker but as others have said, what about the health of the staff.

“Also, if children of key workers are able to continue at school, they are the children who are at the highest risk of catching Covid as we are healthcare workers/front line workers/supermarket workers, all helping and assisting the vulnerable and in contact with lots of people on a daily basis.”

Cat Coveney believes the schools should reopen, saying: “I’ll be back at work in a school, and I have more worries about the long-term implications of children missing out on their education again, than catching the virus.”

Liz Beal agreed that children should return to school, adding: “Especially younger children. It is not good for their mental health to be stuck at home and not able to play with their friends.”

Anirban Maitra posted: “Parents should be given a choice. Children of key workers should be allowed so that the parents can go to work. Other than that, it’s not a good idea to let all the children mingle and carry the virus to their homes.”