Why are teachers’ unions so reluctant to reopen schools?

You might have thought that of all people, leaders of teaching unions would be concerned about the effect of lockdown on children’s education and, in particular, on the gap in attainment between children from the wealthiest and least-wealthy households. From the beginning of lockdown in March, it became clear that children were going to have a very different experience depending on where they are educated. Many private schools and some of the best state schools immediately made arrangements for teaching to continue online, uninterrupted. For many other children, it has been a case of being set only the odd homework assignment.

It is obvious that the quality in educational experience during the lockdown is going to have a very large impact on attainment. Why, then, are the unions, as well as local authorities, so reluctant to reopen schools? More than 20 councils advised against any of their schools reopening this week.