Teachers can stay away when schools reopen if they have safety fears, Downing Street indicates
Teachers can stay away when primary schools reopen next week if they believe it is not safe to return, Downing Street has indicated.
Although the “majority” of schools are expected to open their doors to reception, year one and year six pupils next week, Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said it was up to individual head teachers to arrange staffing.
When asked if teacher were “obliged” to go back on Monday, the spokesperson indicated there would be no punishment.
“Our approach throughout this has been to work closely with schools, heads, and teachers’ representatives to ensure that we deliver a cautious and phased return in a safe way,” they said.
“But I’m sure head teachers will have been having discussions with individual teachers.”