National testing in English primary schools this year could be severely affected because of Covid absences, according to concerns raised in a UNISON survey released today (Friday).
More than seven in ten (74%) teaching assistants and learning support staff say pupils are facing more disruption to their education than usual because school employees and children have recently been off sick with Covid.
Additionally, 92% fear this could affect SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) according to the survey of almost 1,600 school support staff across England.
SATs start next week, and pupils will sit them in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. However, UNISON believes the government’s decision to end free testing in schools has triggered the recent increase in Covid infections.
This includes among support staff who play a crucial role in helping children prepare for these assessments.
Nine in ten (90%) support staff surveyed think the government should provide free Covid testing for pupils and staff at least until the end of the summer term.
UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Testing has helped reduce the risk of transmission. Government inaction and recklessness are to blame for schools becoming virus breeding grounds.
“There’s still time for free testing to be brought back for pupils and staff, and for schools to hand out existing stocks. This would reduce transmission and disruption to upcoming SATs. For the government to fail to do so would be unforgivable.”
UNISON is also concerned about the impact on secondary school pupils taking exams later this year. Earlier this week, UNISON and five other education unions wrote to education secretary Nadhim Zahawi about unused stocks of test kits.
The letter urged him to allow schools to use thousands of tests currently in storage. Some schools have told UNISON that the Department for Education has advised them not to distribute kits without public health advice to do so.
In the letter, the unions also called on the secretary of state to make free testing available for all pupils, staff, and people brought in to supervise pupils taking SATs and exams.
Notes to editors:
– The online survey of school support staff was open from 21 to 29 April 2022 and received 1,580 responses.
– Quotes from school support staff who took part in the survey include:
“Testing is necessary, not just for vulnerable staff and students, but to minimise disruption. Children sick with Covid are not going to be able to perform to the best of their ability.”
“I was constantly being sent into Covid situations at school and being told to take my mask off. It is expected that you will catch it. I then passed it onto my family.”
“We still have many staff and pupils testing positive. I’ve now had Covid twice in four months and although I’m back at work I’m exhausted. Covid symptoms don’t end when staff return to work.”
– The joint letter was issued by UNISON, Unite, GMB, ASCL, NAHT and NASUWT.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk M: 07908 377215