During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, children and teachers endured a rollercoaster of reopenings and closures, as the country tried to strike a balance between containing the virus and resuming normal life.
Sir Gavin Williamson accused teachers of looking for an "excuse" not to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to leaked messages from Matt Hancock published by The Daily Telegraph.
In May 2020, as teachers prepared for classrooms to reopen, the then education secretary had messaged Mr Hancock asking for help in securing personal protective equipment (PPE) for schools.
He said this was so staff could not use a lack of it as "a reason not to open".
He added: "All of them will but some will just want to say they can't so they have an excuse to avoid having to teach, what joys!!!"
It was a rather different view to the one he expressed in public that same month, praising teachers for "going above and beyond the call of duty", adding: "You have simply been outstanding and we are so grateful for what you've done".
