Gavin Williamson’s master plan to reopen schools is set to fail its first big test as thousands of pupils return without being tested for coronavirus.
The Education Secretary had pinned his hopes on regular lateral flow tests keeping kids and staff safe.
But a survey found many schools are struggling to get parents to voluntarily swab their kids twice a week.
It has sparked fears of a surge in cases as asymptomatic infections go undetected.
Some 57 million testing kits have been sent to schools – but experts are concerned about their accuracy when carried out by untrained staff and parents.
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Teachers are expected to carry out the first three tests on pupils.
Mary Bousted, leader of the National Education Union, warns tonight that the plans are “unravelling”.
And Independent SAGE scientist Dr Zubaida Haque said the Government had “passed the buck” on testing and Mr Williamson had “failed children and parents”.
Between March and December, there were 139 Covid-related deaths among teaching staff – and more have died since.
Reopening schools will bring nearly 10 million pupils and staff back into circulation in England.
Secondaries are being allowed to stagger the return over two weeks – meaning some pupils will have just ten days in class before the Easter break.
A poll of 943 schools by the Association of School and College Leaders found more than half were having difficulty obtaining parental consent for testing.
An ITV survey of 200 secondaries found as few as 9% had consent rates above 95%.
Some parents have said on social media they will not allow their child be tested unless they can be there too.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College leaders, called the polls “worrying”.
One anonymous teacher told the Sunday People that the “vast majority” of parents at her east London secondary school had not given consent.
“The concern is falling back into the pattern from before Christmas with whole year groups being off,” she said.
Vicki Coleman, whose sister Donna, 42, died of Covid after returning to work at Burnley College, Lancs, said untested youngsters should be kept out.
She said: “It sounds harsh, but they are putting staff and students at risk.”
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We encourage everyone to consent, following staff and students who have taken millions of tests while schools have been open to critical workers and vulnerable children.”
