School Closure Plan Dereliction of Duty – Covid Inquiry
- London, UK - Jon Coles, CEO of United Learning, one of England's largest academy trusts, has sharply criticized the Department for Education (DfE) for failing to prepare for...
- What: Criticism of the Department for Education's (DfE) lack of planning for school closures during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Coles,a former senior civil servant at the DfE for 15 years (Director General for Schools and Education standards),expressed disbelief upon reading a statement from Gavin Williamson,the Education Secretary...
UK Covid-19 Inquiry Hears Criticism of DfE’s Lack of pandemic Planning
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London, UK – Jon Coles, CEO of United Learning, one of England’s largest academy trusts, has sharply criticized the Department for Education (DfE) for failing to prepare for school closures prior to the March 2020 lockdown. Testifying before the UK Covid-19 inquiry, Coles described the lack of planning as “an exceptional dereliction of duty.” His testimony sheds light on the chaotic early stages of the pandemic response and the burden placed on schools to proactively address the impending disruption.
The Core of the Criticism
Coles,a former senior civil servant at the DfE for 15 years (Director General for Schools and Education standards),expressed disbelief upon reading a statement from Gavin Williamson,the Education Secretary at the time,asserting that no planning for school closures had occured because the priority was keeping schools open. Coles stated he “almost fell off his chair” upon reading this, arguing that the possibility of closures was “perfectly clear” and that proactive planning was essential.
The testimony reveals a significant disconnect between the DfE’s stated priorities and the realities perceived by those on the ground. While the government publicly emphasized keeping schools open, Coles and his team at United Learning were already preparing for closures as early as March 10th, 2020. This proactive approach was taken in the absence of any guidance or direction from the DfE.
United Learning’s Autonomous Action
Faced with a lack of government leadership, United Learning took the initiative to:
* Develop remote education strategies: The trust organized webinars for its schools to facilitate a rapid transition to online learning.
* Address safeguarding concerns: Recognizing the increased risks to children and staff during isolation, United Learning provided guidance on safeguarding measures.
* Advocate for free school meals support: The trust proactively proposed a voucher system to ensure children eligible for free school meals continued to receive support during closures.
Coles emphasized that all these actions were “self-initiated,” stemming from a sense of duty and common sense rather than government direction. he explained that the DfE appeared to be waiting for instructions from Downing Street (No. 10) before commencing its own planning.
Williamson’s Response
In a 2023 statement to the inquiry, Gavin Williamson did not directly address coles’s criticism. (Further details of Williamson’s statement are not provided in the source text).
– drjenniferchen
This testimony is notably damning because it comes from someone with extensive experience within the DfE. Coles isn’t an outsider criticizing from a distance; he’s a former high-ranking official who understands the internal workings of the department. His assertion that the lack of planning constituted a “dereliction of duty” carries significant weight. the fact that an academy trust felt compelled to independently develop contingency plans underscores a critical failure in national crisis management. this highlights the importance of pre-planning for foreseeable events, even when the immediate priority is to avoid them. The inquiry’s focus on the impact on children and young people is crucial, as the disruption to education had long-lasting consequences.
Timeline of Events (March 2020)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early March | United Learning begins internal discussions about potential COVID-19 challenges. |
| March 10-11 | United Learning begins communicating with schools about likely closures. |
| March 2020 | Schools across England close as part of the national lockdown. |
Implications and Ongoing Inquiry
Coles’s testimony raises serious questions about the DfE’s preparedness for a national crisis and its ability to provide effective leadership during a pandemic. The inquiry’s ongoing investigation into the impact of the pandemic on children and young people will likely explore these issues in greater detail.The findings coudl lead to recommendations for improved pandemic planning and a more robust response to future public health emergencies. The focus on the experiences of schools and trusts like United Learning is vital to