A row has exploded between ministers, councils, teachers and unions over when and how to re-open schools - with headteachers threatened with legal action.
Leaders of local authorities and unions chiefs have accused ministers of going too fast on plans to reopen schools and want more local control over their return.
Patrick Roach, general secretary of union NASUWT, yesterday said it would take legal action against head teachers if schools re-opened without proper protections for staff, in a letter seen by The Guardian.
But in an extraordinary turn, former Education Secretary David Blunkett has accused the unions of "working against the interests of children".