The survey of over 26,000 teachers reveals that many fear it is impossible to apply social distancing with younger pupils and those who have complex additional needs. It also shows the long hours school staff have been working and the many new skills they have had to develop – as well as the pupils they believe are being left behind by online learning.
Many teachers say social distancing will be impossible with some children who have additional needs and who are unable to understand the reasons for such measures. Some fear it will also be impossible with younger primary pupils.
The survey found a third of teachers had worked at childcare hubs and that fewer than half (44 per cent) of those had found that social distancing of two metres had been adhered to at all times.
The survey highlights teachers’ concerns about children with additional support needs: only 11 per cent of school staff said children with ASN in their class were having their needs met through online learning.
The negative impact of home working on wellbeing that teachers were most likely to highlight was the inability to separate out the working day from personal life.