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Isle Of Wight NEU Cautious Over 'Bold' Plans To Scrap Classroom Bubbles

The Isle of Wight's National Education Union (NEU) branch is urging caution over plans to axe classroom bubbles.

Islander Peter Shreeve, the NEU's Assistant District Secretary, says the move, proposed by the children's commissioner for England, feels "somewhat bold".

Dame Rachel de Souza has called for the bubbles to be scrapped in September - if a pilot system of daily COVID tests slows the spread in schools.

Although he agrees life should return to normal for kids as soon as possible, Peter Shreeve says he has worries amid reports of new variants.

He told Isle of Wight Radio:

“England's new children's commissioner feels pupils should not have to self-isolate if someone in their school bubble tests positive for COVID-19. 

"This feels somewhat bold in the light of worries about new variants, the inexorable rise in cases and effects of long COVID.

"The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid has pledged to review mitigation in schools. He wants to get back to normal ‘as soon as possible’.

"This is what the NEU wants too. Now is the time to plan and share September details of mitigation, especially concerning better ventilation.

"We really do need a solution which both minimises cases, allows children and staff to stay in school and protects the community. The rationale and logistics of suggestions of daily testing within infected bubbles must be assessed. Public Health England help for schools and colleges to regularly test children may be an important part of this, as would vaccination, if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommend it.

"Whatever happens, there should be no rash promises without rational understanding of the science and consequences.”

As it stands, an entire class can end up having to quarantine, if just one pupils tests positive.

Yesterday, new Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed coronavirus restrictions won't be lifted early on July 5.

He said July 19 "remains our target date".

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