So all those who cannot work from home are now going back to work and all kids back at school before the summer??

[TinySleepThief]

What do we think of the 50 page guidance that has been released?

Surely all children wont be back for a month before the holidays and how come all workers are now expected back? How does that help keep the R below 1??

[Keepdistance]

'There is now a bed for you in icu'. Unfortunately this sums it up.

I dont see the point in Scotland or wales going differently (they are right though) but maybe it is to make a point that they know he is wrong and they will do the right thing by citizens.
The only difference between us and the other 2 = we do have more hospital beds!

[GrimmsFairytales]

The Government’s ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible

As well as all their parents / carers doing school runs twice a day, creating huge gatherings of adults to spread the virus.

[TinySleepThief]

As well as all their parents / carers doing school runs twice a day, creating huge gatherings of adults to spread the virus.

Apparently this at no point occurred to the Government. Neither did who would be looking after the children in relation to wrap around care such as grandparents, after/before school clubs or childminders.

It's mind-boggling that the guidance is missing such crucial information.

[GrimmsFairytales]

It's mind-boggling that the guidance is missing such crucial information.

Indeed.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Childminders are mentioned, but not after school or holiday clubs...

[lemonsandlimes123]

The guidance is pretty mute on how they expect schools to manage. Maybe each year group can come in for 1 week over the half term!

[GrimmsFairytales]

The guidance is pretty mute on how they expect schools to manage.

I'm hoping for more clarification, as this is all schools / nurseries have been given at the minute. We have no other information about how to manage.

It's all well and good saying Schools should prepare to begin to open for more children from 1 June. The Government expects children to be able to return to early years settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes, from this point.

But how are they expecting us to achieve these smaller sizes.

[lemonsandlimes123]

I know! The smaller sizes made me laugh as I just imagined lilliputian children!

[TinySleepThief]

But how are they expecting us to achieve these smaller sizes.

I've honestly no idea and it would be especially difficult in an infant school. Plus it would require more staff if you did smaller groups so who would be providing the work for those still at home if the vast majority of teachers would be at school during the day, or are they expected to teach both those in schools and out.

[GrimmsFairytales]

I know! The smaller sizes made me laugh as I just imagined lilliputian children!

If only

There also no mention of whether or not smaller sizes will apply when all year groups go back. So after 3 or so weeks of reception, Yr1 and Yr6 at reduced numbers, do we just let everyone else back in?

[Reastie]

It’s an ambition. I doubt it’ll happen.

[GrimmsFairytales]

It’s an ambition. I doubt it’ll happen.

Perhaps it won't. However, schools will still need to put plans in place, in case it does.

[TinySleepThief]

It’s an ambition. I doubt it’ll happen

Me either. However, the simple fact some people in Government think it is remotely likely enough to happen to justify putting it into the documentation is slightly concerning. They are obviously living in a completely different world to the one I'm in.

[Redolent]

They’ll probably go in 2 days a week.

[GrimmsFairytales]

They’ll probably go in 2 days a week.

I'm interested to hear what that's based on Red

Tone is tricky to convey via text, so please accept i'm genuinely eager to know, rather than being goady.

[Wint3randSummer]

Gov guidance said if feasible. Schools are going to need 3x-4x extra staff and room. Most schools won’t have this. If they want them all in for a month they’ll have to ration days or just let schools say they can’t do it which is what many will have to do.

Gov aren’t going to say ignore social distancing.

[TinySleepThief]

They’ll probably go in 2 days a week

Im not sure that will happen all the reports on the document on the news keep saying they will return for a month before the summer, no mention of this being part time.

Plus wouldn't that be slightly pointless as it would only be at most 8 days out of the month if they went 2 days a week for a month. It doesn't seem worthwhile at all.

[Redolent]

It’s speculative, but based on other European countries, all the ones that are reopening schools before September are doing so with restrictions: eg limits of 15 pupils per classroom, or 10, or staggered start and end times for pupils.

[Wint3randSummer]

Soooo where are they going to get extra classrooms and staff from?

They aren’t going to say ditch social distancing by July.

[Wint3randSummer]

Most big classrooms can only fit in 10 children if properly following social distancing. So you need 3 classrooms per class and 3 teachers/ members of staff. Do the maths. That’s an eye watering amount of rooms and staff for a basic large primary school.

The gov have screwed up. I suspect there will be many disappointed parents.

[lemonsandlimes123]

And you cant just put Y1 children in a Y6 classroom, poor little buggers wouldn't be able to see over the desks!

YR cannot social distance so i presume social distancing is expected to be suspended in schools as it is in hospitals and care homes etc. Which then raises the PPE issue!

[Wint3randSummer]

Rec and Y1 are the worst years to attempt to social distance- sand, water, toys, keeping apart. Ludicrous.

And yes what about PPE,are we all just expected to go in with nothing. If we’re all garbed up won’t it scare little ones. Older children would have been much better going in first. One wonders if they discussed anything with those in education.🤔

[GrimmsFairytales]

One wonders if they discussed anything with those in education.

I believe they discussed with the D of E, but that was in regards to the older year groups going back. They have no idea why the Gov have decided to let the youngest go back first.

[TinySleepThief]

One wonders if they discussed anything with those in education.

From what I have seen they heard from those in education and even had discussions with them but then as they so often do they ignored all the advice given and did what they wanted anyway.

[lemonsandlimes123]

No one has any clue why YR and Y1 other than childcare!

They certainly aren't consulting heads or LAs - no pre information or consultation has been done. It's insane.