Schools need to be ready to take 'swift action' over infections, says Doncaster union

Schools across the borough returned to school yesterday, with thousands of pupils at secondary schools taking lateral flow tests, and primary schools already back into their lessons.

Fiona Campbell, branch and district secretary for the teaching union NEU in Doncaster said she thought it was probably too early to say at this point how things were going in Doncaster, but said it was important to be vigilant against case numbers rising.

She said: “We know schools are looking forward to welcoming children back and most children are excited to return, but we need to remain vigilant to ensure case numbers don't rise again as they have previously in this situation.

"Schools should work with Clinically Extremely Vulnerable and Clinically Vulnerable staff to make sure they are safe, including home working until a first dose of the vaccine has been given.

“We hope families will take up the offer of regular testing to identify asymptomatic cases as soon as possible, as school staff are doing. While much depends on safety measures in school, such as not crossing bubbles, external factors such as the journey to and from school will also play their part. Infection rates are currently dropping slightly in Doncaster and it's essential that everyone plays their part so this will continue, but if it doesn't, schools need to be ready to take swift action to avoid cases and outbreaks escalating further.

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