Union calls for schools in East Yorkshire to close for Christmas from December 7 as Covid rates soar

As of Monday 6,950 students were self-isolating either because of a positive Covid test or as a close contact of a member of their bubble who had tested positive, or 15.2 per cent of the school population, the National Education Union said.

Branch secretary Damian Walenta said the figures had doubled in the past fortnight, and called for schools to close for two or three weeks from December 7 to all children apart from those who are vulnerable and children of key workers.

He said: "We can't just carry on the same path hoping that something will change. It is frankly alarming that we currently have 7,000 students self-isolating. I feel a circuit breaker is the only solution.

"As a teacher I know how important it is for children to be at school but many children have had repeated periods of isolation and absence and there is nothing to suggest this is going to change in weeks or even months unless we do something now.

"Just before the current lockdown ONS data suggested that schools were responsible for 0.5 of the R rate - more than the hospitality sector."

Coronavirus rates in the area have soared and neighbouring Hull has among the worst rates in the country.

Last week, a document released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said children aged 12-16 played a "significantly higher role" in introducing infection into households in the period after schools reopened their doors to all students in September.

One head teachers' union called on the Government to allow schools to move to a rota system, adding that the current situation is "unsustainable".

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "It is clear that the improvement we saw following the half-term holiday was temporary and that the situation has worsened again very quickly.

"Disruption is widespread and is happening in an ad hoc manner because of the unpredictability of outbreaks. This makes it very difficult for schools to be able to plan and deliver lessons and catch-up support. This is exacerbated if there are also members of staff having to self-isolate."

He added: "We understand the Government's desire to keep all pupils in school full-time. But when nearly two-thirds of secondaries are sending home pupils, we have a chaotic rota system by default.

"Schools need to be given more latitude to move to a planned rota system if they feel that this would be less disruptive, more manageable, and in the best interests of their pupils.

"It would give them the ability to deliver direct and remote learning around smaller groups rotating between school and home in a planned manner.

"The Government has to recognise reality. The current situation is unsustainable."

A DfE spokeswoman said: "Over 99% of schools have been open every week since term began and millions of pupils are continuing to benefit from being in school.

"The chief medical officer remains of the view that schools should remain open, and has highlighted the damage caused by not being in education to children's learning, development and mental health."