Asking schools to consider moving lessons outside if five pupils test positive after mixing closely is a “total fudge” by the Department for Education (DfE), according to headteachers.

The DfE yesterday updated its Covid contingency framework with suggested extra measures for schools to “think about” if they see clusters of positive cases.

These include:

• Whether any activities could take place outdoors, including exercise, assemblies or classes. 
• Ways to improve ventilation indoors, where this would not significantly impact thermal comfort.
• One-off enhanced cleaning focusing on touch points and any shared equipment.

But school leaders say it is unrealistic to move pupils outside as temperatures “plummet” in the autumn term, and argue that the DfE instead needs to provide better ventilation in school buildings. 

Covid contingency framework: Schools told when to ‘think about’ extra Covid measures

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‘Urgent ventilation plan needed’

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The extra action listed is slightly bizarre in that it includes ways to improve ventilation when government advice amounts to no more than keeping open windows.

“The suggestion that schools could realistically consider holding assemblies and lessons outdoors during the autumn term, as temperatures plummet, is a total fudge on the government’s part.

“What is needed is an urgent plan, backed up by cast-iron investment, to instal ventilation equipment in school buildings as soon as possible.”

‘Very little time’ for Covid contingency planning

Mr Barton also expressed concern about the timing of the new guidance.

He said: “We are concerned that the contingency framework is growing during the summer holidays and with very little time for schools and colleges to update their planning.

“They are now expected to have in place plans for extra action in the event of a certain number of coronavirus cases occurring within their setting. This would kick in before more stringent measures that might be advised by public health experts.”

Teachers and school leaders have also reacted strongly to the update on social media.

One primary teacher queried whether this was a “suitable” plan for the colder months.

Soon it will be autumn... And then winter. I’m not sure outdoor lessons are going to be suitable for students or teachers.

- Mokey ? (@MokeyTheFraggle) August 18, 2021

This concern was echoed by a secondary English teacher:

Outdoor lessons ... in this English climate? Another great suggestion.

- Arielle ???? (@ArielleLeBleu) August 18, 2021

The National Education Union welcomed the government “producing some form of contingency plan for schools” but agreed that “measures such as outside lessons will be difficult in winter”.

Joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “It is concerning that so few mitigations are in place for September, in spite of their obvious benefits to ensuring children stay in school and do so safely.

“The NEU, along with six other education unions, are calling on government to provide funding to improve classroom ventilation and supply CO2 monitors to help schools keep an eye on air quality.”

He also called for the government to encourage regular testing at home, which he said “dramatically fell away last term”.

Vaccinating younger teenagers would also help to reduce cases in schools, he added

Responding to the concerns, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “As we learn to live with the virus across society, we must strike the right balance of measures so that our children can continue with their lives and education in the best possible way.

“Schools will be offering on-site testing to students as they return in September, to help reduce transmission following the summer break. We have updated our guidance to help schools respond proportionately with the minimum disruption to education if positive cases are identified.”