ON MARCH 18, in his latest coronavirus briefing to the nation, Boris Johnson announced that schools in England and Wales would close to all children except those of key workers or who are vulnerable from Friday March 20.

This announcement ended days of debate within the education profession about whether schools, colleges and other education centres should be open, as National Education Union (NEU) representatives and groups of members collectively discussed how to keep safe.

Like many public-sector workers, educators are continuing to work — playing the vital role of looking after the vulnerable and children of key workers, to ensure our health system can care for the country. In these unprecedented times, trades unions have been given an opportunity for renewal, to become ever relevant again.