BRITAIN’S government expects the Omicron variant to disrupt schools and colleges during the upcoming spring, as the education department has called on former teachers to fill staff absences in the New Year.
In a statement, the department said, “the Omicron variant is expected to continue to cause increased staff absence levels in the spring term, and some local areas may struggle to find sufficient numbers of supply teachers available unless former staff come forward”.
Those who are recently retired or trained as a teacher and have moved careers are asked to consider whether they can find even a day a week for the spring term to help protect face-to-face education.
Potential teachers are encouraged to go through the process of comprehensive checks, “ideally before Christmas Eve”, to be ready to join the workforce from January.
The appeal of the department comes amid reports that schools have already been experiencing low attendance from both pupils and teachers ahead of the winter break.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi urged all those who think they can help to get the process started right away on the Get Into Teaching website.
In a video message posted on Twitter on Monday (20), he said, “I am asking any teachers no longer in the profession to come forward if they are available to temporarily fill absences in the new year”.
“Although 99.9 per cent of schools have consistently been open this term, with cases of Omicron increasing we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education”.
According to the government, supply teacher agencies across the country will continue to manage local supply and demand.
The Government is also working with Teach First, a social enterprise, to explore how those who have trained as teachers but currently work outside the profession could make a temporary return to the classroom.
Teach First CEO Russell Hobby said the disruption to school life and extended periods at home mean pupils’ education has inevitably suffered, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads guilty to crossbow murders of BBC presenter’s family
A 26-YEAR-OLD man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murdering two daughters of a BBC sports commentator and stabbing to death their mother in a crossbow attack.
Kyle Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28.
However, appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court in eastern England, Clifford changed his pleas.
The court heard that Clifford tied up Louise Hunt, his former partner, binding her arms and ankles with duct tape before shooting her in the chest with a crossbow at the family home last July.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons. However, Clifford denied raping Louise.
The murders took place at the family home in the commuter town of Bushey, near Watford, northwest of London.
Clifford was arrested in July following a manhunt after the bodies of the three women were discovered.
(With inputs from AFP)