Prioritise covid testing for teachers working with pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN), Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney has urged the government.

In a letter to the secretaries of state for education and health, Gavin Williamson and Matt Hancock, Sarah talks of the particular importance of in-person teaching and social interaction for those with special education needs.

Delays in Covid-19 testing are adding to the already large gap in pupils' education caused by the pandemic, she said in the letter sent today (Tuesday, September 22).

Sarah highlights an example of one of her constituents working in a SEN school whose pupils' education are continuing to be negatively impacted due to the delays for symptomatic staff members receiving a covid test and the subsequent results.

This has resulted in numerous staff having to self-isolate to keep the school safe, but which has had a knock-on effect on the pupils' learning.

The constituent said: "People with SEN need to be a priority.

Related coverage:

16 students self-isolating after positive Covid-19 test at school

Covid-19: Week-on-week testing in Richmond falls

Join me in celebrating World Car Free Day - MP Sarah Olney

"Most spent the last six months stuck indoors and they are the ones who are, once again, doing the same.

"It is not good enough for my pupils to be required to miss a week off school because of this. They should only have to miss a day maximum.

"A special school is more than a building; it is a community and a support network for extremely vulnerable children and their parents."

'Prioritise those most in need'

Sarah said: "Home learning is often not an option, as some pupils do not have the engagement to sit with their parents or watch on-screen teaching.

"This is not something that a free laptop or a zoom subscription can fix – SEN learning needs to be met presently and concretely in a school – not with their exhausted carers."

She added: "While it has become evident over the past week that the government is failing on its promise to deliver a world-beating test and trace system, the best possible course of action now is to prioritise those most in need.

"Rather than spending time pointing fingers over who is to blame for this chaotic system beset with shortages, I urge the government to prioritise testing for those adults working with people with SEN."

Want to write for Richmond Nub News?

[H3]

Many thanks to Sarah who contributed this piece for Richmond Nub News.

Got a story, or an opinion you want to share? We'd love to hear it. Just click the Nub It button on our homepage and add some copy and photos.

If you have any trouble, please email [email protected]