Schools: Coronavirus

(asked on 12th May 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the National Education Union on the five tests that it has proposed on determining when schools should re-open.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 18th May 2020

The Department is currently working closely with the sector to determine the best way for schools to open for more pupils, in line with the five key tests set out by the Government. There continues to be extensive engagement with teaching unions, including the National Education Union, and other school stakeholders, both at a ministerial and official level.

Details of engagement:

  • Weekly meetings with senior policy officials and key stakeholders along with other main teaching unions, governance, social care, school trusts and local government;
  • A weekly meeting with wider stakeholders including support staff, further education and school business organisations;
  • Weekly calls for evidence from key stakeholders on key policy questions to inform decision making on reopening;
  • Weekly meetings between my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and the main teaching unions and stakeholder groups;
  • Ad hoc additional stakeholder meetings to address key issues as and when they arise; and
  • Weekly guidance update notifications are sent to stakeholders and school leaders.

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