Steeping back into the classroom has been “a journey of immense bravery and anxiety” for many disabled teachers who are more than three times at risk of dying from Covid than non-disabled teachers, the NASUWT union conference heard today.

Delegates have overwhelmingly backed a motion calling on their national executive to step up its campaign for the safety of vulnerable teachers in schools - not only disabled, but also elderly teachers and those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds (BME).

NASUWT member Jane Setchfield, moving the motion, said: “The NASUWT has extensive data which shows employers have failed to consider equality impacts as part of their plans for reopening of schools.

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“Risk assessments in schools and colleges have not be equality impact-assessed and guidance from government lacks any specific advice on how to mitigate the adverse impacts of Covid 19 on these vulnerable groups.”

She added: “Many of our disabled members have been forced into taking sick leave as employers have failed to put in place the reasonable adjustments required due to their increased risk of complications.”

A total of 98 percent of delegates attending the online conference’s second day today backed the motion.

Catherine Downes, from the NASUWT Leeds association, said disabled people were at three times greater risk of dying from Covid than non-disabled people.

She said: “Stepping back into the classroom has been a journey of immense bravery and anxiety for many disabled teachers.”

National executive member Gary Upton said one member with chronic asthma had been forced to go to work in a special school.

Pashpalata Chaure, of the Oxford branch, said the union should urge teachers to be vaccinated. She said we need to “educate to vaccinate”.