Headteachers Reject Union Demands to Close Schools in Lockdown

Pupils at Rosshall Academy wear face coverings in Glasgow, Scotland, on Aug. 31, 2020. Face coverings later became mandatory in high-risk schools in Scotland. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Headteachers are pushing back against union demands to shut schools as part of the impending lockdown in England, but are challenging the government over the lack of face-coverings in classrooms.

The government has rejected demands by some teaching unions to shut schools and colleges as part of the month-long lockdown that starts on Thursday if approved by Parliament. The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), however, has backed the government.