School staff-who is back on June 1st and how do you feel?

[Appuskidu]

We are and I feel sick to the bottom of my stomach .

[pfrench]

I'm not, but I also feel sick to the bottom of my stomach about it. It's not fair that some go back and others don't. It's going to split staff into 'us and them' regard risk exposure.

[Twinklelittlestar1]

Thank god I found a group echoing how I feel. Only rec and y1 teachers asked to go back, others get to work from home for now...

[Twinklelittlestar1]

(Which is me) I'm feeling sick. Supposed to stick my little one back into full time nursery and go in. Alternative is a doctors note apparently

[pfrench]

Yes, when I pointed out it was unfair, the answer is that it's unfair but not unequal - ie, we're all being asked to carry out the conditions of our contracts, in line with government advice.

But my head has made sensible decisions around the government advice that suit our school community. I think that makes people trust her more, and accept the situation as it is.

I am at home for now, but find it frustrating and annoying. I would rather just be in with a class if given the option. I'm not even second on the sick cover list for any bubble. I'm SLT, and I'm wondering if they are leaving 2 of us off the 'in school' lists for reasons. The rest are in school and teaching.

[Cookiecrisps]

I’m back then as we’re all due in although don’t know days yet or if I’m with a bubble (part time PPA cover teacher.) I think the SLT have made the best decisions they can regarding the DfE guidance and they seem upbeat about it at least on the surface. I am angry and worried about going back but my anger is directed at the government’s handling of this pandemic. Wishing everyone all the best. Thank you all for your support in the staffroom.

[YouthClub]

Does anyone know when the government are going to announce if their five criteria have or haven’t been met so we actually know if we are going back on the 1st? They use to talk through it at the daily briefing but it all seems to have gone quiet on that front. As far as I was aware it all depended on this! I’m keeping everything crossed it’s delayed for as long as possible. 🤞😷

[Appuskidu]

28th May, I think

[Twinklelittlestar1]

It's a horribly uncertain time. Has anyone's school offered support? Asked how you feel about school being opened? / asked if you're willing to be involved?

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

We’ve been told 28th May for final decision to be made. We are getting a planning week before year 10 and 12 start attending.

[reefedsail]

Does anyone know when the government are going to announce if their five criteria have or haven’t been met so we actually know if we are going back on the 1st?

Of course they will have been- even if they haven't!

[Twinklelittlestar1]

I agree. The 5 tests will magically have been passed and we will be summoned back. Some people will abide it or believe it. The rest of us end up being made to feel weak.

[Appuskidu]

I am also sick of being told to get back to work and ‘you’ll be fine’ by people who don’t have to leave the house (MIL, I’m looking at you)...

[YouthClub]

Of course they will have been, silly me! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Twinklelittlestar1]

@Appuskidu yes my mum said "well don't forget some have been working since the start". I can't begin to compare our situation to other workers but it isn't my job to. I just know that no ppe and no social distancing with a group of 15 five year olds is risky for all involved

[Margo34]

I heard our school plan for proposed reopening yesterday, all the available teachers are needed to allow just Yr Y1 Y6 to return. Oh and the provision sounds horrid, especially for the little ones. I'm heartbroken for them!

[Poetryinaction]

Our school lets us ppt in or out. I am in. I usually work 3 days a week but have offered 2 as my son's school will only have him (Year 1) for 2 days a week.

[RobertSmithdoesmyhair]

I'm PT and me and my job share are not going back on 1st June. None of the PT staff are.
Guidance says that each bubble must be staffed by FTers only, to reduce cross contamination, so my TA is going back to my Y6 with another teacher! I'm not even allowed to go into school, as there are no rooms left with everyone spread out.
I get it, but I'm gutted that I won't get to see my class before they leave!

[Sewingbea]

We've been in throughout. Special school so we've not closed, 95% of staff in on a rota basis. I'm working two, or more usually, three days each week. I think we've done the right thing by being open as we have vulnerable children and families in need of respite. But I'm damn annoyed by the unions who have pretty much ignored special schools and the fact that we were in school.

[bananaskinsnomnom]

I must be honest, I’m not feeling too sick about going back, but I understand where nerves and worries will be coming from.

It could be my school. Our Head has been very supportive. I know that there are shielding staff who will be off until September, but I also realise as an independent school we have less children to spread out. I also appreciate the time table and rota made by our senior management in order to maintain routine (for example we are having “virtual” assemblies and still having PE but, unless it’s chucking it down, will be outside and more times a week than normal to get a break from the classroom) but also to keep bubbles apart. We have permission to wear masks if we want to. Teachers have been on a rota with key worker children.

We have been sorted into our bubbles, and all our children (reception included) have been told to bring in a full pencil case (which R wouldn’t normally do, they use the pots on the table) We have all been allocated different outdoor spaces for lunch, and the children are coming in wearing PE kit everyday so that there’s no need to change.

PPE is the interesting one like all schools. We have gloves and aprons anyway (to deal with toilet accidents and vomit and first aid) We have been told there is “extra” in case of dealing with an unwell child.....how much I don’t know.

I do however appreciate that, as an adult who lives alone and no underlying health, the risk to me is lower. This is also the reason why I’m quite excited to see my class and my colleagues and have some sense of purpose and routine again, even if it’s only for 6 weeks (furloughed HLTA) - time for me to give my class teacher a hand.

[thirtywon]

My year group hasn't been called back but if and when I am, I'm fine. However, that's due to the fact our school sits on a 100+ acreage, we will most certainly be able to social distance.

[funmummy48]

I’m looking forward to it. All our staff will be in, sorted into bubbles and have rotas for the first two weeks. We’ve had several online meetings and lots of WhatsApp group chats amongst ourselves and, with the exception of 2 members of staff, we’re all very happy to be going back.

[VashtaNerada]

I’m really looking forward to it! I’m back PT already, going FT after half-term. Love the way my school has organised everything, all seems very sensible. I can’t wait to get back in the classroom although I’ve pretty much forgotten how tiring teaching is so that will come as a bit of a shock! As much as possible, my Head has tried to only use staff who feel like me though. Those who are anxious have been given work to do at home.

[Howshouldibehave]

Can I ask people, if you are going back into a class, how many children/adults max will you be mixing with?

I don’t think our trust are doing this properly and we’ll be having all 30 children from the class in on rotation, plus 5 adults over the course of a week. That’s quite a lot of exposure

[Grasspigeons]

Im fine (admin not teaching) apart from the bit where it says i am in a hi-viz jacket with a megaphone policing a parental one way system. I cant think of anything less suited to my personality.

[VashtaNerada]

@Howshouldibehave 2 adults (1 teacher, 1 TA) per 15 children. In reality it will probably be fewer than 15 depending on how many turn up. We’re borrowing teachers / TAs from other parts of the school.