Teachers dissatisfied with government response to remote learning during school lockdown, poll shows

Two-thirds of teachers found Department for Education guidance on remote learning “unhelpful” during the first national school lockdown, a poll by the Chartered College of Teaching shows.

More than 80 per cent of teachers were dissatisfied with the extent to which Ministers listened to feedback on its Covid-19 response between February and July this year.

In all, 806 members of the Chartered College respondent to the survey, reflecting on the government’s response to schools’ experience of the pandemic.

The poll found that only 10 per cent of teachers considered the DfE’s remote learning guidance for schools to be helpful, and respondents said Ministers needed to consult more and produce more timely guidance.

In their comments, teachers called on the DfE to “listen to frontline staff”, “give schools more notice” and “show support and understanding”. They also said that information should be provided in a “timely manner and not late on a Friday evening”. The last retort was in response to guidance on school reopening, published by the DfE just days before the new academic year and after schools had already put stringent measures in place to protect staff and pupils against the coronavirus.

Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, said the results were “not in the least bit surprising”

“Teachers have had to contend with guidance that has kept changing, arrived at the last minute and failed to take into account their experiences and knowledge,” Dame Alison said.

“Our teachers and school leaders are experts. Listen to them. They know their pupils, their schools and their communities. It is of the highest importance that their insights are taken into account.

“Despite all this, our teachers have again and again shown unrelenting professionalism, positivity and done what is best for their pupils despite the huge pressure they are under. Our teachers deserve the thanks of all in society. And they deserve to be treated with consideration and respect.”