More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A primary head teacher has blasted a Kent MP's "very unsettling and somewhat bullish" post supporting the government's plans to try and reopen schools for children of certain ages in June.
Over the weekend, Gordon Henderson, who represents Sittingbourne and Sheppey, spoke in favour of schools reopening for reception, year one and year six pupils in England.
He said he had "nothing but admiration for Britain's teachers, and was therefore "somewhat puzzled" as to why they were "unable to find a way of changing the way they operate in order to teach our children safely" during the coronavirus crisis.
"Currently the following European countries have been able to partly re-open their schools: Denmark, Germany, France, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands," Mr Henderson said.
"By using innovative ways to reduce class sizes, in a way that ensures children can maintain social distancing in a disciplined way, they have managed to reopen schools without putting at risk pupils or teachers.
"Why is it that teachers in the UK cannot follow the lead of their European colleagues? Why do they feel they are unable to put in place similar measures?" he asked.
Ryan Driver, the head of Halfway Houses Primary School, on Sheppey, has slammed Mr Henderson's post as being "very unsettling and somewhat bullish".
In a letter to the MP, Mr Driver said he was "flabbergasted by the divisiveness" of Mr Henderson's words.
"It is clear you have no idea how children act in a school setting; they are social beings, they need touch for affirmation and comfort when upset," Mr Driver wrote.
"Those young children that you recommend us opening for are going to need such support when they return, we know that, but we will not be able to do it sufficiently with the virus hanging over us.
"Hopefully by September all the science will categorically say the pupils and school staff will be safe - unlike at the moment."
In response to Mr Henderson's questioning of why teachers could not follow the lead of their European colleagues in putting in place social distancing measures, Mr Driver said: "It is very hard to compare us to other countries, especially Denmark and Germany as they locked down quicker than the UK and Germany certainly tested far more people in the early days of this virus, stopping the deaths of so many innocent people.
"The UK locked down far too late and, as a result, the people in this country - especially parents - are just not confident in the latest guidelines."
He added: "We surveyed our parents on Friday and had an unprecedented response, 503/585 pupils were covered.
"Only 13% said they wanted their children to return - half of these already send pupils in as they are key workers - and a clear 65% said they categorically would not. Their reasons were that they were not convinced the government steer was correct and there were still too many new cases and deaths per day.
"In a time where social distancing is still law and employers have to ensure social distancing measures are in the workplace - how can I ensure my staff will be safe?
"My decision to open will be blamed further down the line as a result of this national bullying by MPs and ministers.
"I am not a union person and am certainly not guided by them. I am guided by the following question, based on my moral purpose and imperative for my school community: Can I ensure the pupils and staff will be safe? And my honest answer is no! As we act ‘en loco parentis’, I cannot keep the children as safe as the parents would if they stayed at home."
Mr Driver went on to suggest Mr Henderson should spend a day or two in a school during the first week in June to see how social distancing for younger pupils would not work.
He added: "I understand you also have a tricky job at the moment, as the government wants to kickstart the economy, but it should not be at the expense of the safety of children and school staff throughout the country.
"Government representatives, like yourself, should not be scaremongering as this is going to make parents even less confident in what you are doing to try to end these terrible times.
"I never thought I would send an email like this to you Gordon but you have left me no choice. "Your post was a low blow to all the Sheppey and Swale-based school staff. It really was not needed at this time as you have, honestly, caused so much angst and disappointment."
The letter has been shared on Facebook, where it has received an outpouring of support, and more than 235 shares.
