‘A lot of our pupils don’t understand social distancing’

“We need to be listened to when we say we don’t feel safe going to work,” said Ella, a teacher in a special school in Slough. “It’s not because we’re being a nuisance. It’s because we don’t feel it’s safe, either for us or our students.”

Schools in England have been closed to most pupils since the start of term, except for key worker children and those who are considered vulnerable. The government has said special schools must remain open to vulnerable children and children of key workers.

Teachers working with children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) feel that their concerns about safety are not being heard amid rapidly rising coronavirus rates. Many would like to see Send staff being prioritised for the Covid vaccine. Three teachers at special schools speak about the challenges that they face.