Petition updateGive parents the option not to send children back to school if they reopen in June

Many Developments Today

lucy BrowneLondon, ENG, United Kingdom
May 15, 2020

Hey everyone, 

Yesterday I spoke by video call to my local MP Vicky Foxcroft. Today I got confirmation that Vicky has written a letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, to inform him of the petition and ask for clarity on whether it will be compulsory to send children back to school, should they reopen in June. She has also tabled a written question to the Minister on the same matter. 

A lot has happened today regarding schools reopening and there have been a lot of articles in the media which I’m sure most of you are aware of already. 

I’ve tried to summarise some important developments (as best I can while parenting) but I think this will be an ever changing situation as the government push for a June 1st reopening despite push back from Teaching Unions and parents. 

  • Today teaching unions met with the government scientific advisors. They remain unconvinced that it’s safe to open schools. They say there are still “unanswered questions.” The British Medical Association has backed the unions and said that there is conflicting evidence from scientific studies on the effect of reopening schools. 
  • Today The Secretary of State for Education wrote in the Daily Mail urging teachers to ‘do their duty’ and cooperate with the government. He outlined plans for reopening but there was no mention of parents rights should they choose to opt out.
  • Today Liverpool became the first English city to say it won’t reopen schools on June 1st, a significant blow to the government. They said it would be June 15th earliest. 
  • The Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson however did give this reassuring statement regarding parents sending children when they do reopen. “We will not be pressurising anyone to send their children to school since you know your children and personal situation best. Once you have all the information, you will be able to make an informed decision”
  • You have probably read in various media outlets today like myself that it will not be compulsory for us to send our children when they reopen but I will keep pushing for this to be announced publicly by a government minister to insure that parents know their rights regarding this matter. 

Thank you for all your support and for sharing and signing this petition.