UNIONS have urged the Government to put teachers closer to the front of the queue for Covid vaccinations to help get pupils back into school.

They say more than 1,600 teachers in Swindon younger than 50 will have to wait longer than people on the lowest rung of the priority list to be immunised.

UTC Swindon head teacher Jon Oliver said: “I think there are a lot of priorities the Government has, but keeping young people in school is certainly one of them and vaccinating people who work in schools is a very good idea to get students back.

“The spread of coronavirus within schools has been limited but clearly there are still going to be people who can contract it and transmit it. The figures we have seen recently show that something needs to be addressed, I think vaccinating in schools is definitely a priority, and vaccinating teachers would be a good step forward.”

The Government expects the top four priority groups – care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, vulnerable individuals, and everyone over 70 – should have received their injections by mid-February.

But because many staff are younger they are likely to have to wait much longer. The School Workforce Census shows 1,684 teachers in Swindon were aged below 50 in 2019 - the most up to date figure available.

A statement signed by the National Association of Head Teacher, the National Education Union, the NASUWT teaching’ union, GMB, Unison, and Unite has warned bringing pupils back into classrooms risks fuelling the pandemic further by exposing teachers to the risk of serious illness. And a UK-wide petition calling for teachers, school and childcare staff to be prioritised had more than 270,000 signatures

Russell Holland, borough council cabinet member for education, said: “The progress that has been made with the vaccine is fantastic news and represents the light at the end of what has felt like a very long tunnel. I fully understand the need for the Government to prioritise NHS workers and those most in need based on clinical need as the vaccine rollout starts.

“A case has already been made for teachers to get priority but it is also absolutely vital that we remember all of the support staff who are just as important in providing education. I am extremely grateful to the teaching profession, support staff and governors for their great work during these difficult times and I support all efforts to give them priority alongside other key workers and those most in need.”