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Guidance: Re-opening of Primary Schools & Early Years (England)

We know what a worrying time this may be for you and we want to assure you that your union has been working throughout the Christmas break to get Government to rethink their decisions on Schools across England.
On Saturday 2 January GMB national officers called on Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson to extend home learning for all primary school children who are not the children of Key workers or who are vulnerable. Whilst we welcome the decision of the Secretary of State to U-turn on primary schools and early years in London boroughs , GMB believe the same instruction should apply across the rest of England where 78% of the population is currently under Tier 4 restrictions and 21% under Tier 3.
We will rigorously continue to press local authorities, multi-academy trusts, and schools on their legal duty to update risk assessments and put in place the necessary measures to protect our members from increasing rates of Covid infection including calling on schools to be closed where they deem unsafe.
In almost every part of England, infection rates have increased, making Covid exposure more likely. As school settings repoen today (Monday 4th January 2021) school leaders should be revising their risk assessments accordingly and taking appropriate action to mitigate the increased risk, you have a right to ask for revised Risk Assessments. Please make sure you ask for the revised assessment if your school is open today.
If you do not receive an updated risk assessment, please let us know by contacting donna_spencer@gmbactivist.org.uk
GMB will not hesitate to register a dispute with your school if your school is deemed unsafe and by registering a dispute this is a far better way to protect you at work.
You have a legal right to a safe workplace, and it is the responsibility and duty of your employer to ensure that this is the case. You should insist that effective measures are in place for you to work safely and raise a complaint or grievance if you are concerned – GMB is ready to help you do this.
The full briefing statement can be found on the GMB Schools Noticeboard
Join GMB West Midlands at 5pm today (Monday 4th January 2021) on Facebook
to answer your questions. You don’t have to be a member to get involved with this event, but to make sure you are protected at work, join GMB today

Posted: 4th January 2021

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