‘A complete dereliction of duty’ – Plan to open Sheffield schools blasted by union

According to the union Unison, Astrea Academy Trust has ignored government guidance to consult union representatives over the risk assessments needed to keep pupils, staff and the wider community safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Executive managers at the trust informed the trade union today that it will go ahead with re-opening six of its primary schools in Sheffield, Barnsley and Doncaster on Monday, June 1, despite Unison warning that it had yet to be provided with a single risk assessment for any of the schools.

In response the union says it is advising support staff in the schools to not enter the workplace as doing so would pose a serious risk to their health and safety.

Unison area organiser Jordan Stapleton said: “By ignoring government guidance to consult with trade unions over the risk assessments the trust is putting the lives of its staff and pupils at risk.

“This is a complete dereliction of duty. The trust is not taking this pandemic, and the fact that the UK has the highest death toll in Europe, seriously.

“I was shocked when senior management in our most recent meeting tried to blame the trade unions for this disaster by suggesting trade union reps had not proactively sought to be consulted – which is as far from the truth as possible.

“This really is health and safety gone mad and UNISON will do all it can to protect the lives of our members and their families.”

Sheffield and Doncaster councils have already advised all schools to follow the advice of local public health officials and remain closed.

A spokesperson for Astrea said: “We were disappointed to see these comments from Unison, particularly so given they have repeatedly declined our offers to engage and discuss our plans with them. We have had constructive discussions with all the other unions, sharing our risk assessments with them and talking through the protective measures we are taking.

“The safety of our children and our staff will always be our number one priority, and all of our preparations are driven by that. Risk assessments have now been completed for all employees and only those who are happy to come into school are doing so.

“We have invited Unison to attend a meeting with all unions on Monday 1 June to discuss the risk assessments of our first wave of schools that will open. We have yet to hear from them, but in the interests of their members, we very much hope Unison will join that discussion.”

Jordan Stapleton added: “The Department for Education has been clear that re-opening on 1 June is an ‘aspiration’, so why is this trust rushing ahead and risking the further spread of this killer virus?

“By failing to consult over important risk assessments, and ignoring public health advice, the trust has proven itself to be one of the most reckless in the country.”