SCHOOLS reopening fully on Monday must be given flexibility to take their own measures to strengthen the safety of students and staff, education unions told ministers today.

A joint statement by nine unions representing teaching and support staff asserted that safety was “paramount” and that the government had a responsibility to “put in place a robust framework of protection and support.”

It argued that many scientists, including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), had recommended a phased reopening and had warned that the measures now in place may not be enough to deal with the increased risk of airborne transmission as schools reopen fully.

“It is therefore imperative that the government gives schools the flexibility to take measures to strengthen the safety of students and staff in their local context,” the statement said.

“We have consistently called on the government to follow the science when planning the wider reopening of schools following lockdowns and to give greater recognition to the recommendations of Sage.

“The timing of the current reopening offers an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the early data findings during the Easter holidays and to act on this decisively if there are any indications of a spike in infections in any part of the country.”

The statement, signed by AEP, GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, NSEAD, Prospect, Unison and Unite, said that the reopening of schools “should be aligned with a new commitment by the Department for Education to engage in a genuine discussion with education stakeholders.”

The move came as the school leaders’ union NAHT warned that “unsustainable” pressure on school staff could lead to an exodus of head teachers.

General secretary Paul Whiteman said that a survey by the union showed that most of its members had put in more hours during the lockdown and had continued to work on-site, and “proved once and for all that schools are not and have never been closed.”

New figures from Imperial College London’s React study suggest that people working in teaching and childcare had an increased risk of infection during lockdown, when substantial numbers continued to attend their workplaces.

In January, people who worked in education — including schools, nurseries or childcare — had 20 per cent higher odds of infection compared to those who do not work in these professions, rising to 43 per cent in February.