Contributed
 |
| Pamela Mistry |
In response
to the government’s “five pillars” that needed to be met before relaxing
lockdown, the NEU has published its own “FIVE TESTS” which must be met before
any increase in the opening of schools:
1. Much lower numbers of cases
2. A national plan for social distancing
3. Testing, testing, testing (regular for staff and children)
4. Whole school strategy (ie test whole school and isolate when one case occurs)
5. Protect the vulnerable
The NEU has
also presented the government with a 250,000 strong petition against opening on
1st June if the five tests are not met which has also been supported
by parents’ organisations.
NEU,
NASUWT, UNISON, NAHT, GMB and UNITE unions have now all issued a joint
statement to urge caution on reopening. The NEU has produced a stringent model
risk assessment for schools, which we understand is being sent to Brent Council
on Monday, and members are being advised on the areas of health and safety law
that will protect them.
Meanwhile
Brent NEU members have paid tribute to Pamela Mistry, a 50-year old teaching
assistant who had, until recently, been employed at The Village School and was
an active union member there. She sadly died of coronavirus in April after
several weeks in hospital, leaving a much-loved partner, children and
grandchildren. NEU members and colleagues, denied the chance to attend a
funeral due to lockdown, have posted in an online condolence book, paying
tribute to Pamela and her lovely family, and describing her as a beautiful,
kind and caring lady. One member describes her as a lovely, kind lady who spoke
about her family and partner every day sharing funny anecdotes. Staff have been
devastated by the news and have said she will never be forgotten.
Staff and
children across our Brent schools have suffered family losses too, with the
high number of cases in Brent. Brent Council have been consulting unions on
their school strategy during the lockdown. Unions are extremely likely to strongly
resist anything other than a cautious, phased approach in line with the five
tests advocated by the NEU.
