A teachers' union has attacked the government after attending a crunch meeting to discuss reopening schools on 1 June.
The NASUWT said the talks "raised more questions than answers" - and it claimed Number 10 provided no information "to change the widely held view that the evidence base for opening schools from 1 June is weak".
The meeting came after the government unveiled plans to send children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 back to school from as early as next month, despite opposition from teaching unions.
The NASUWT said despite talks, no confirmation was provided that teachers are at low risk of catching COVID-19 once schools reopen.
General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: "The NASUWT remains clear that no school should reopen until it can demonstrate that it is safe to do so.
"No clear information was provided on what modelling has been undertaken in relation to potential transmission rates when schools open more widely. Nothing in the meeting provided reassurance for the deeply worried and anxious school workforce.
"We are continuing to press for answers to these questions and also for clear guidance from government to schools to ensure that they take appropriate and reasonable steps to assess and mitigate the health and safety risks posed by COVID-19."
Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake, who chairs the Local Government Association's Children & Young People Board, told Sky News: "What we're seeing is a real problem because an announcement was made without real consultation with headteachers. [There were] no signs of the scientific evidence that they say they've got lead them to make the decision.
"What they're saying through the LGA is 'show us the scientific evidence'. Explain why they've chosen reception, Year 1 and Year 6. What's the rationale behind it?
"All the teachers I know want to work with their children, and many of them have been doing so during the whole of lockdown.
"I had a Zoom call with more than 200 of our teachers in Leeds two days ago, and they want practical advice, to understand what it is that is being expected of them, and they want to do right by their children, their families and of course their staff."
She warned that, due to how the issue has been handled, parents don't have the "confidence" that all measures have been taken to make sure children can return safely.
"It's working with schools and realising each one is different, and will have different needs, to enable them to open safely," she added.
The talks came after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson unveiled plans to break the deadlock between the government and unions over when schools should reopen.
Earlier on Friday, Mr Williamson announced he had arranged for teaching union leaders to meet England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and other experts for a briefing on his scientific advice.
He previously accused unions of "scaremongering" over his plans for a phased return of pupils, claiming class sizes of 15, extra cleaning and other safeguards would help make schools safe.
Mr Williamson did not attend the meeting himself but gave a comment afterwards, which said that getting children back to school was "vital" for their educational development.
He added: "Many schools are already taking steps to welcome back their pupils. I am grateful for their support.
"I want to reassure parents and families that we are giving schools, nurseries and other providers all the guidance and support they will need to welcome more children back in a phased way and no earlier than 1 June.
"That's why we have engaged closely with stakeholders from across the sector throughout the past seven weeks, including the trade unions, and today we arranged a detailed briefing for them with the scientific and medical experts."
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Meanwhile, new research suggested children in England are more likely than any other age group to be infected with COVID-19.
Almost one in five children (18%) aged between 5 and 14 years old have contracted COVID-19, according to modelling by Public Health England and the University of Cambridge's MRC Biostatistics Unit.
The findings could also raise questions about allowing schools to return in June.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMieGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXVuaW9uLWF0dGFja3MtZ292dC1wbGFuLXRvLXJlb3Blbi1zY2hvb2xzLW9uLTEtanVuZS1hZnRlci1jcnVuY2gtbWVldGluZy0xMTk4OTA0NdIBfGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy11bmlvbi1hdHRhY2tzLWdvdnQtcGxhbi10by1yZW9wZW4tc2Nob29scy1vbi0xLWp1bmUtYWZ0ZXItY3J1bmNoLW1lZXRpbmctMTE5ODkwNDU?oc=5
2020-05-15 17:55:32Z
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