A teaching union is calling for the closure of Isle of Wight primary schools for at least a fortnight, from Monday.

The government announced this week (Wednesday, December 30) that most would reopen as normal from January 4 (though some in the worst affected areas of England would remain shut).

London primary schools will now also stay shut after a government u-turn after nine followed a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, from nine local authority leaders in the capital.

Now, teaching unions are calling for all primary schools in England - including the Island's - to move to online learning for at least 2 weeks.

Teachers who belong to the NEU have been told that they have 'legal rights not to have to work in an unsafe environment'.

The Isle of Wight's Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union said: "Schools should not be open in the first two weeks of January.

"This message was delivered to thousands of members around the country in a Zoom call earlier today.

"The message will be further shared in additional Zoom meetings with members locally.

Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "Reports from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from December 23, the Sage papers dated December 22 (but released on December 31), and the report from Imperial College on December 31 - all have the same message: That it will not be possible with the new variant to get R below one, without at least a period of school closure.

"Cases were rising rapidly amongst school age children at the end of last term.

"These children live as part of families and in communities and they can spread the infection into their families and into the wider community."

The NEU says it has told its members that they can work from home, and with key workers' and vulnerable children, but do not have to take full classes, from Monday.

The Union said: 'We realise that this late notice is a huge inconvenience for parents and for head teachers.

"The fault, however, is of the Government’s own making and is a result of their inability to understand data, their indecisiveness and their reckless approach to their central duty – to safeguard public health.

"Education is really, really important but you’re not going to get that education if this virus gets out of control in the community, as schools will have to close then for a longer period of time."

On December 31, an open letter called the Isle of Wight Council to close primary schools from January 4.

In response, County Hall said: “Isle of Wight schools will be following the national guidance, which takes into account all of the scientific evidence.

"In doing this they will be doing exactly the same as their colleague teachers all over the country, with the exception of those few areas where the government determined that the schools should stay closed for longer.”

Isle of Wight County Press:

On Thursday, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said he welcomed the reopening of schools.

Mr Seely said: “The education of our young people is vital, and while some may have benefited from remote virtual learning, the classroom is the best place for learning and for their mental health.

“We would like to personally thank every member of school staff for the brilliant work they have done, and continue to do, in adapting to Covid requirements, always focusing on what is right for the young people of the Island.”

Secondary schools

Secondary schools will return in phases - opening for vulnerable children and keyworkers from Monday January 4; for years 11 and 13 from January 11; and for other secondary school students, from January 18, with a programme of mass testing.

Other unions

The NAHT, which represents senior school leaders says it has taken preliminary steps toward legal proceedings against the Department for Education, alongside the Association of School and College Leaders.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “We have asked the Government to share the evidence justifying distinctions drawn between primary and secondary schools, the geographical distinctions they have made and the evidence justifying the compulsory introduction of mass-testing.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, called the school return plans "an utter shambles" and said an emergency meeting of its Executive committee was held to consider its position.

GMB, the union for school support staff, has also called Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to postpone the reopening of all schools in England.