Teachers can stay away when schools reopen if they have safety fears, Downing Street indicates

They are not ‘obliged’ to go back on Monday and will not be ‘in breach’ of their contracts, Boris Johnson’s spokesperson suggests

Teachers can stay away when primary schools reopen next week if they believe it is not safe to return, Downing Street has indicated.

The “majority” of schools are expected to open their doors to reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils – but Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said it was up to individual head teachers to arrange staffing.

Asked if teachers are “obliged” to go back on Monday, and if they will be “in breach” of their contracts if they refuse, he indicated there would be no punishment.

“It is going to be a cautious and phased return,” the spokesperson said, adding: “Attendance will grow over time.”

He said: “I’m sure head teachers will be having conversations with individual staff,” with some schools likely to “need more time to prepare”.

Schools, nurseries and colleges closed almost 10 weeks ago to help stop the rapid spread of coronavirus – remaining open only to vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.

The prime minister confirmed the reopening from Monday, pointing to a “sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate” in recent days and weeks.

However, some schools and local authorities have said they will remain closed, at least for now, amid an increasingly bitter row with Gavin Williamson, the education secretary.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), has described the instruction to go back as “frightening and difficult”.

“Time and again we have had to ask for the scientific thinking behind wider school opening,” she protested. “Time and again we have not had the answers.”

Asked about potential conflict, Mr Johnson’s spokesperson said: “The education secretary has been working very closely with schools and unions for the last 10 weeks. He met with the unions again yesterday.

“Our approach throughout this has been to work closely with schools, heads, and teachers’ representatives to ensure that we deliver a cautious and phased return in a safe way.

“But I’m sure head teachers will have been having discussions with individual teachers.”

Classes will be restricted to 15 pupils, to allow full social distancing, with some school spaces cordoned off and canteens closed.

Pupils are likely to be directed with tape and signs to where they can sit and are likely to either be in school during the morning or afternoon, instead of for a full day – halving the numbers at any given time.

However, most staff in special schools say they will be unable to maintain social distancing, with 49 per cent worried about their personal safety, according to a poll by the NEU.

No fewer than 96 per cent fear a high risk of airborne transmission as a result of pupils spitting, dribbling, biting, coughing and sneezing.