So it looks like we're being prepared for children not to go back until after Easter

[choosingcrumble]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/children-face-months-at-home-as-schools-stay-shut-until-easter-wp5ltpm82?fbclid=IwAR1l0gRSzuJLIv508reRmBEojbYfoGOsWwe3_pBFmKpA4EbI1IgC5dKC2uE

I suspected it wouldn't be until then, let's just hope that it doesn't stretch into the summer.

[DrRamsesEmerson]

Worse than that, actually, the Sunday Times report said it might be May. I could tell this was coming because they stopped saying education was a priority a couple of weeks ago.

[Daisysflowers]

Devastating for all children.

[frozendaisy]

We will get two weeks notice, apparently, so until then guess we just have to keep trying to mitigate the effects on our children and attempt to keep them engaged in learning.

But this time, I remain hopeful, it will end.

[redsquirrelfan]

It's so ridiculous. Get the exam years back at half term, the rest back at Easter so they get a full term in the summer when the weather is warmer and the virus will recede in any event.

They should have got them in last summer too.

If the virus comes back next autumn we'll be back into school closures or rationing face to face time anyway, so why not make the most of the summer months?

[choosingcrumble]

uk.yahoo.com/news/government-quietly-changes-law-councils-191352544.html
I read this today as well.

[Nellodee]

If this is the case, I think one of the first things we need to see is a loosening on restrictions about seeing other people outside, particularly for children. I think Scotland have got much better rules on this than England have.

[Sparkles715]

I’m a teacher and a parent and want schools open sooner. WHY won’t the government just take steps to make schools safer? I would love to see all children in at least one day a week in small groups. It could probably be more. Some school is better than no school. WHY do the government seem to insist on full time or nothing?

[Daisysflowers]

@Sparkles715 totally agree with you, my son would be over the moon with just going in for 1 day a week! He is desperate to see another child. So sad for the children especially only children who have no interaction with other children at all.

[iVampire]

It’s crappy, but unsurprising

The pressure on NHS is still far too high, almost unbearably so, and over 30k new positives a day is still too high to see any real diminution for some weeks

This of course keeps assessments for years 11 and 13 in disarray

And means action is also needed now to plan for 2022 qualifications

[formerbabe]

I could cry...My dd is struggling so much...I don't know how she's going to cope

[Newgirls]

It’s madness. We have lateral flow tests sitting in warehouses. I’d support kids doing in part time and relaxation of online teaching to enable that to happen. Kids need to see other kids and for some, escape their households. What a shitshow this gov is.

[DianaT1969]

No surprise. The hospital beds and staff don't exist for higher rates of admissions than we have now.

[LickEmbysmiling]

Maybe when it gets warmer they can get dc in one session a week to socialise!

I don't think it's worth the risk right now, enough dc are already in. The whole aim is surpression now. We don't want to be doing this in summer

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

Easter/May seems a good decision. No point rushing back in to have to do it all again. The pressure on the NHS and case numbers is still what too high.

Given the numbers still in school, it was always going to be a slower process his time. Last lockdown there were far less children in.

[ColouringPencils]

Matt Hancock was on the Andrew Marr show this morning. He wouldn't be drawn on the question of whether they would go back after half term, then Andrew asked about Easter. He said something like 'of course I would hope they will go back after Easter'. I took this to mean anything before Easter is definitely out and after Easter is still unknown.

[YardleyX]

Are there any other countries which have sacrificed education to quite the extent that we have here in the U.K.?

[MissEspresso]

If this is the case, I think one of the first things we need to see is a loosening on restrictions about seeing other people outside, particularly for children.

I would love to see all children in at least one day a week in small groups.

Yes and yes!
This is what my dc need - some time with other children. I would be very happy for youngest to go in weekly for some outdoor time with peers if that was made possible.

[LickEmbysmiling]

I know Belgium, USA, Germany have all closed school at various points when we have been open.. They become aware of the Kent stain because cases rocketed in tier 4 and ripped through schools.

[EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide]

Please God, if you're listening, let this not be true 🤦🏻‍♀️

[MarshaBradyo]

@DrRamsesEmerson

Worse than that, actually, the Sunday Times report said it might be May. I could tell this was coming because they stopped saying education was a priority a couple of weeks ago.

May is from NEU leader

But yeh that is woeful

[LickEmbysmiling]

I don't know what people expect though? This is the worst the pandemic has ever been? It's far worse then April and we are in colder weather.

[Randomrebel]

Its dreadful for DD in her GCSE year I don’t know how much more sitting in her bedroom trying to learn herself and being with us 24-7 who as a teenager she seems to hate she can take.

[MistleTOEboughski]

The government was super keen to keep schools open, and they are open to a lot more keyworkers children this time, and only the other day Boris said they are the priority to reopen. I think if they are delaying the reopening it means they are very worried about the spread and the number of people in hospital.

[SeahorseoramI]

@Sparkles715

I’m a teacher and a parent and want schools open sooner. WHY won’t the government just take steps to make schools safer? I would love to see all children in at least one day a week in small groups. It could probably be more. Some school is better than no school. WHY do the government seem to insist on full time or nothing?

This. Why is it just 32 in a small, poorly ventilated room, or none.

Then for my key worker / vulnerable classes, I have half the classes in atm. Why nit do that for all?

[MarshaBradyo]

@Sparkles715

I’m a teacher and a parent and want schools open sooner. WHY won’t the government just take steps to make schools safer? I would love to see all children in at least one day a week in small groups. It could probably be more. Some school is better than no school. WHY do the government seem to insist on full time or nothing?

Me too. As my dc are out as per usual

But primary already has groups in. Some are at 50% capacity already. So who do you take out to make room?