The union has also called for more longer-term solutions to help stop the spread of coronavirus among older pupils including expanding school space and introducing smaller classes for “at least a year”.
The call comes as latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a huge spike in cases among 17- to 24-year-olds since schools reopened.
Positive cases in 17- to 24-year-old increased by more than two per cent between 28 August and 8 October, the ONS said, while positive cases for pupils in years seven to 11 increased by just under 1.5 per cent.
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “This should be no surprise to either the Prime Minister or the Department for Education - scientists have consistently told them that secondary students transmit the virus as much as adults, and we have warned them that because we have amongst the biggest class sizes in Europe we have overcrowded classrooms and corridors without effective social distancing.”
The NEU is calling on the government to close secondary schools, colleges and universities for two weeks at half term to “allow the government to get in control of the test, track and trace system, and get cases lower to allow the system to work better”.
“Heads, teachers and school staff understand the educational impact of this, but we also understand that in exponential epidemics early action is essential. Taking action now can avoid more disruption later,” Courtney added.
The union is also calling for long-term measures to be introduced to tackle rising cases of Covid-19 in secondary schools and control the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable children.
“Our classrooms often have poor ventilation leading to airborne transmissions, and in many areas we also have overcrowded school transport where children are mixing across year group bubbles.
“These children live in families and are part of communities, so even if they have few or no symptoms themselves they are still part of spreading the virus to others, including to teachers and other school staff,” Courtney said.
“We may be in this situation for another year or more: to help prevent future disruption, the government should take steps to mitigate risk by expanding school space, increasing staff and therefore ensuring smaller classes and a greater ability to maintain social distancing. Government should be working with schools on plans for blended learning. This work needs to happen now.
“The government must not just turn a blind eye and pretend all is going to be ok. They must not pretend that the only change needed is a delay of three weeks to next year’s exams. Urgent action is needed now.”
The call comes as the Welsh government announced a 17-day lockdown from Friday which will see primary schools reopen after half term, however, only pupils in years seven and eight will return to secondary schools.
DfE has been contacted for comment.
