Support 110 years of independent journalism.

Public opinion is hardening against reopening schools

The majority of parents believe it will not be safe to send their children back on 1 June.

By Patrick Maguire

A majority of parents of school-age children believe it will not be safe for schools to reopen on 1 June, new polling for the New Statesman has found.

Some 52 per cent of parents believe the planned reopening of schools for certain year groups of the beginning of next month will not be safe, as do 53 per cent of all voters.

An even larger number – 61 per cent – believe that it is right for schools to remain closed until September despite the negative impact of extended closures on disadvantaged children.

More than half of parents of school-age children – 55 per cent – also say they will send their children to school regardless of any safety concerns.

The results mark a hardening of opinion from Redfield and Wilton’s last NS poll, when 41 per cent said schools should close as planned for the summer holidays.

Select and enter your email address Your new guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture each weekend - from the New Statesman. A quick and essential guide to domestic politics from the New Statesman's Westminster team. A weekly newsletter helping you understand the global economic slowdown. The New Statesman’s weekly environment email. Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

The number of voters who believe teaching should take place over summer has also fallen. While 52 per cent backed the idea last month, only 39 per cent do so now.

Content from our partners
How trailblazers are using smart meters to make the move to net zero
How heat network integration underpins "London's most sustainable building"
How placemaking can drive productivity in cities – with PwC