Opening to years 7/8/9 on Monday

[WindFlower92]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice as I'm not sure where we stand with this! I work in a secondary school, and we've obviously been open to year 10 for the last couple of weeks. My headteacher emailed us on Friday to say that from tomorrow we're having 7/8/9 in on a rota (so each year group twice a week, and maybe 2/3 year groups in at a time). It's only for 25% of each year group on any given day. We're supposed to be in bubbles but due to lots of part time stuff, I'll now be in a bubble with 25% of year 8, 25% of year 9 and 25% of year 10.

My question is can they open to other year groups? I can't find anything specific about this on NASWUT, but I don't feel comfortable with it given that even the government hasn't skipped ahead to this stage yet, sticking at just year 10. And if they can do it, is it right that all teachers are swapping around bubbles so much? One SLT is taking a year 9 bubble, but is in every day to help with year 10, so effectively part of each year 10 bubble anyway.

Hope that made sense, any advice would be welcome!

[GreekTaverna]

They can. Many schools around me are. Children don’t get the disease badly and. Have been shown not to spread it effectively. You will anyway be exposed to fewer people than anyone who works in a shop, in healthcare, in public transport, in Parliament, in the police...

I know it’s scary going back to work. I was very worried too but once I got there is felt so much better. I am in awe of your school pushing forward to get children a bit of educational and social contact. It’s criminal how slowly the government have pushed for this compared to the opening of pubs, shopping centres, golf courses etc.

[PettsWoodParadise]

I gather all the closures and limits on numbers have been ‘guidance’ not law. There have been examples of tiny schools with a few pupils back if the follow the guidance and Headteachers and governors now being encouraged to use common sense and not strict adherence to guidance that might be too inflexible.

Some independents have cleared it with insurers that provided they have thorough risk assessment they can effectively ignore the guidance - but they do have parents and teachers to reassure So it is a balancing act.

[PaddingtonPaddington]

The guidance on the 15th June included that the Department for Education said provision can be extended to pupils in other year groups (outside year 10 and 12).
“We know that secondary schools are keen to invite pupils in other year groups in for a face-to-face meeting before the end of this term, where it would be beneficial.

“As long as this happens in line with this and wider protective measures guidance, and guidance on the numbers of pupils permitted on-site at any one time, we would encourage this where possible.”

DS in year 9 is getting a part day in school Before the end of term.

[WindFlower92]

Fair enough then, I felt strange that they just sprung this on us on Friday for Monday, so we barely had time to plan!

[Annebronte]

Yes they can. It was confirmed with schools at pretty short notice. We are doing similar.

[Annebronte]

We’re just doing well being stuff and outdoor fun, no academics.