Teaching union warns over-subscribed schools in Northampton could struggle to reopen safely

"It is quite clear classes of 15 are impossible for many schools on grounds of space alone"
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Northamptonshire's schools are due to open again from Monday but teaching unions warn those that already have more pupils than they are built for will find it tough to meet social distancing needs.

Primary schools begin a phased reopening on June 1 with secondary schools starting back on June 15 with selected year groups returning.

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Classrooms will be reconfigured to maintain social distancing between four and five year-olds in year one with a maximum of 15 allowed in each room.

National Education Union chiefs say it is “impossible” for many schools to meet some requirements because they have too many pupils.

Northamptonshire has 299 primary and secondary schools, of which 33 were oversubscribed schools during the last academic year, 2018-19 — six out of 36 secondary schools and 27 out of 257 primary.

And Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “The Government's current guidance for the wider opening of schools fails to address the necessity of social distancing.

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“It is quite clear classes of 15 are impossible for many schools on grounds of space alone. This situation will clearly be exacerbated in those schools that are over capacity.”

School classrooms need arranging with no more than 15 pupils staying two metres apart. Photo: Getty ImagesSchool classrooms need arranging with no more than 15 pupils staying two metres apart. Photo: Getty Images
School classrooms need arranging with no more than 15 pupils staying two metres apart. Photo: Getty Images

“We all want some sort of normality back in our lives but the NEU believes the wider opening of schools should only occur when we see the scientific evidence that says it is safe to do so.”

In Northampton, Headlands, Kingsthorpe Grove, East Hunsbury, Delapre and All Saints CEVA were all over-subscribed by between 1.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent.

Northampton School for Boys and Northampton Academy were also over-subscribed by 0.4 per cent and 0.9 per cent.

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Towcester's Sponne School was over-subscribed by 2.1 per cent and Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary by one per cent.

Village primary schools at East Haddon, Brington, Cosgrove, The Bramptons and Middleton Cheney were all over-subscribed by between 0.5 per cent and 24.3 per cent.

Year six children are also being welcomed back next week to prepare them from transfers to secondary school in September while year ten students are being put at the head of the queue for secondary schools with vital exams coming up next year.

Parents and teaching unions have expressed major concerns about safety and seven local authorities are advising schools not to allow more pupils back on the preferred date while a further 20 will back headteachers who decide to open later on safety grounds.

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Northamptonshire County Council allocates school places each year but schools can become over-subscribed if individual schools accept applications on appeal, students transfer or move into the area.

Department for Education officials say a school’s overall capacity did not relate to its ability to welcome a limited number of further students back from June and any schools unable to accommodate small groups are being given further guidance.

A DfE spokesman said: “We want children back in schools as soon as possible because being with their teachers and friends is so important for their education and their wellbeing.

“Plans for a cautious, phased return of some year groups from 1 June, at the earliest, are based on the best scientific and medical advice. The welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision-making.”