Teaching unions have demanded that the government to "step back" from plans to re-open schools on June 1 over fears it cannot be done safely.
It comes as Education Secretary Gavin Williamson accused teachers of "scaremongering" over their fears that the return to school is being rushed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that he hoped primary schools would re-open to pupils from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, on June 1 "at the earliest", if infection rates and the government's other tests at the time allow it.
The statement is signed by nine unions and calls on ministers to work with them to create safety standards that they believe could work.
It sets out a series of six tests it believes must be met before it can happen.
These are:
- Safety and welfare of pupils and staff as the paramount principle
- No increase in pupil numbers until full rollout of a national test and trace scheme
- A national Covid-19 education taskforce with government, unions and education stakeholders to agree statutory guidance for safe reopening of schools
- Consideration of the specific needs of vulnerable students and families facing economic disadvantage
- Additional resources for enhanced school cleaning, PPE and risk assessments
- Local autonomy to close schools where testing indicates clusters of new covid-19 cases
The statement adds: “We all want schools to re-open, but that should only happen when it is safe to do so.
"The government is showing a lack of understanding about the dangers of the spread of coronavirus within schools, and outwards from schools to parents, sibling and relatives, and to the wider community.
“Uniquely, it appears, school staff will not be protected by social distancing rules. 15 children in a class, combined with their very young age, means that classrooms of 4 and 5-year olds could become sources of Covid-19 transmission and spread.
"While we know that children generally have mild symptoms, we do not know enough about whether they can transmit the disease to adults. We do not think that the government should be posing this level of risk to our society.
“We call on the government to step back from the 1st June and work with us to create the conditions for a safe return to schools based on the principles and tests we have set out.”
Government guidance for schools on how to reopen has been criticised by unions with headteachers warning that the planned reopening of primary schools in England on 1 June is not possible.
Guidance issued to schools would see the school day transformed as ministers try to make primary schools safe to attend.
It demands that class sizes should be limited to 15 pupils, desks should be spaced as far apart as possible and outdoor space should be utilised.
The Department for Education (DfE) guidelines also advise schools to stagger break times, as well as drop-off and pick-up times, to reduce the number of pupils moving around.
Headmasters have been told to introduce one-way circulation and try to keep children with the same group of students all day.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson defended the decision to return certain pupils to the classroom.
He said: "The only consideration behind this decision is what is in the best interests and the welfare of children and those who work in schools.
"And we all recognise the importance of children being able to return to schools and sometimes scaremongering and making people fear is really unfair and not a welcome pressure that is to be placed on families, children and teachers alike."
On testing pupils and teachers he said: "We already have priority testing for all teachers and those who work in schools if they have symptoms of coronavirus. This priority testing will be extended to all children who attend school and, if they're displaying symptoms, as well as their families. We recognise how important test and trace is in terms of beating this pandemic."
But Karen Leonard, GMB National Officer, demanded that Mr Williamson share the evidence underpinning the decision with unions.
She said: “The Secretary of State for Education said he’s is being guided by the evidence. Well GMB demands he shows us that evidence.
“Schools across Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have no plans to widen their opening of school, yet this Government is playing Russian roulette with the lives of our school support staff - and children - in England.
“GMB’s position is clear. Whilst school staff are keen to get back to work, we need guarantees that employers and the Government will put measures in place to eliminate and minimise risks to staff in catching the virus.
“Right now, we haven’t had those assurances, so we’re asking for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to convey our concerns before we move any further towards opening schools.”
