A UNION’s petition opposing the reopening of schools until it’s safe for pupils and teachers has attracted over 80,000 signatures.

The petition was launched following recent media speculation that children could return to schools as early as May. 

The National Education Union (NEU) argues that the government has provided no assurances or plans on how staff and pupils would be kept safe if they were to return to classrooms. 

“As yet there is no clarity as to how social distancing would — or even could — be implemented in schools, particularly for younger age groups,” NEU joint general secretary Mary Bousted said. 

“Loose talk costs lives and unfortunately there has been far too much unhelpful speculation about when schools might fully re-open.”

Ms Bousted said that the petition, which by today evening had attracted some 84,000 signatures since its launch on Tuesday night, was prompted by members’ concerns over “persistent” speculation on the issue. 

Ministers were reportedly pushing for younger pupils to go back to school as early as May 11, fearing that lockdown measures could not be relaxed until workers’ children had resumed full-time education. 

Shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said that Labour backed the NEU’s position that children should not return to school without clear scientific proof that it is safe to do so.

“School leaders, teachers and support staff have been working tirelessly to keep children’s education going during this crisis and to minimise disruption and the inevitable impact on social inequality.

“Any decision to lift restrictions cannot be sprung upon schools at short notice.

“We also need clarity about what plans are being put in place to lift the lockdown when the time is right,” she said.

“That’s why we have called for the government to publish an exit strategy in conjunction with school leaders and teaching unions and to put it before Parliament.”