To think the idea that schools won’t be back full time by September is an absolute disgrace?

[LovingLivingInLockdown]

The government and teaching unions need to pull their fingers out. There should be no excuses.

The effects of 6 months out of school is going to be damaging enough, both educationally and mentally for hundreds of thousands of children. Not to mention the unnoticed abuse and neglect.

Teachers should be wearing PPE with spit screens if they are vulnerable and this should be being organised now. Temporary classrooms should be being built in playgrounds and school fields. Random testing routines in all schools should be being devised as well as guidelines regarding children’s contact with others outside of school and home. Whatever it takes, it must be done.

Our society expects parents to work while their DC are at school and if they want to get the economy moving again, schools being back by September should be non negotiable surely?

[ilovesooty]

What responsibility do teaching unions hold here? How are they supposed to "get their fingers out"?

[RedHelenB]

If schools can go back they will. If you need bubbles and 2m distancing it will need a lot of money for extra staff and buildings and I cant see it happening.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I think it's not so much whether they are fully back but whether they are innovating to find ways to ensure all children get a proper education. Even if that means online lessons etc. Or some combination of the two. The idea of a half arsed education from some schools ("not all schools... " ) beyond the summer is untenable

[bigchris]

Yeh fuck the furlough off and spend the money on temporary classrooms brilliant idea op, have you thought about going into politics?

[Noodledoodledoo]

The unions are being very difficult in terms of supporting staff going back, at one point we were told not to communicate with schools about our concerns about returning, effectively shutting down any communication.

I think we should be back, if shops can be open and we all know social distancing is unlikely to continue happening, and theme parks with the horrendous areas for cross contamination I do not get why schools are not allowed to be opened.

[pooiepooie25]

Here we go again...yawn

[starrynight19]

So what does a finger pulled out look like exactly ??

[tiredanddangerous]

To do all that the government would have to hand over a huge amount of cash to schools, which they will never do. They’ve cut school funding to the bone; they won’t go back.

[TiredMummyXYZ]

Would you want to be crammed in a room full of 30 other people right now when infection rates are still so high? A mix of part time schooling to enable smaller, safer group sizes is much more sensible with continued home learning for when kids are not in school. Even that carries a risk but it is far better than what you are suggesting. It’s not true that kids haven’t had no education for six months. Most will have had home learning packages provided by their teachers. Yes the lack of social interaction is tough but that will improve with part time attendance. You don’t need to go back full time for that. I think the mental health of kids will suffer a lot more of they end up loosing their family members due to corona virus.

[OverTheRainbowLiesOz]

Teachers should be wearing PPE with spit screens if they are vulnerable and this should be being organised now.

There isn't any PPE in schools. The government doesn't even have money for cleaning. Many teachers are doing it themselves.

All the while there is social distancing and 2m it is impossible to get the numbers back as there are not enough teachers to teach the small groups. In fact there is already a shortage. The rules are set by the central government.

[SharpieInThe]

Not really suiting the username there OP.

I'm sure all the lazy teachers just laughing away, drinking margaritas, enjoying not teaching your brats.

Bet the unions planned this Pandemic.

Bloody commies.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Yes and they send the kids back too soon and something happens to any of them. Who will everyone point the fingers at, Boris Johnson. As I'll see by my posting history I'm no Boris lover. However even he has to win some way.
I don't know what
Oh and children's safety and lives is not an excuse it's a vital reason.

[Duckfinger]

As I've said on various threads.
We absolutely want to be back, scrap social distancing and bubbles in school. Just staggered drop off pick up and no assemblies. Every single member of staff at our school wants this. Evidently our parents do too as attendance rates for the year groups we are open for are in the low 90% which, allowing for 2 % sheilders, is normal for our school.

[WarmthAndDepth]

Some schools which have capacity are considering opening up for limited numbers of pupil premium, borderline vulnerable (school's discretion) and lower attaining pupils in the coming weeks. I'm due to be moved from my current bubble to such a group.

[megletthesecond]

There isn't the money to do all that.

We even had to provide the school.with empty pump soap dispensers so they had enough for everyone.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

I notice your name so this Lock down can't be affecting you personally.
Are you an I'm alright Jack.

[LaurieFairyCake]

There's no PPE

The school my dh works in has a high proportion of BAME teachers and a MUCH higher proportion of BAME students (who live or are looked after by older relatives)

There's no money for cleaning more than ineffectually once a day

The corridors are Victorian, classrooms small and overcrowded

[LavenderLilacTree]

No. What would be a disgrace would be endangering people's lives and safety due to COVID.
The schools should go back when it's safe. Death is. Death OP and just because someone is older or has underlying health conditions doesn't mean it's ok if they die.
The children will catch up on their education. Mental health can be treated and finances can recover. You cannot undo or recover from death.

[nosnugglesforyou]

@SharpieInThe the primary teacher next door to me certainly enjoys her days in the garden. Playing music. All day. Every single day it’s even slightly warm.

If teachers are unwilling to go back get those that are furloughed DBS checked and get them in helping primary schools

[SunbathingDragon]

I think almost everyone wants schools to be open for all students again but there is more to it than you seem to be realising. I do agree about temporary school buildings being erected now but also many more toilets and sinks as well.

Personally, I think it’s the parents congregating outside of the school grounds that are the greatest risk to the virus spreading.

[nosnugglesforyou]

@LavenderLilacTree so over 50% of those who’ve died have been over 85. Only 350 under 45. You think we should surrender our children’s education and wellbeing to keep people alive another couple of years?

[OverTheRainbowLiesOz]

If teachers are unwilling to go back get those that are furloughed DBS checked and get them in helping primary schools

Teachers have no say in it. They are directed by their schools academies and LA's who have to follow the government rules. It is that simple.

[nosnugglesforyou]

@Awwlookatmybabyspider two children of school age have died.

[Ladybyrd]

Same old posts, day in day out. Why don't you volunteer to show them how it's done, OP? You obviously have all the answers.

I don't hold this government in particularly high regard, but the situation is unprecedented. I don't think they can be held responsible for a global pandemic. They can't wave a magic wand and make it all go away, and if they're too lax, the death toll rises. It's already pretty steep as it is.