Anti dementors visit the zombie beach

[BarkandCheese]

New thread! Hope the title is acceptable.

Thanks, EnjoyingSun x

(Ps I just mistyped your name as EnjoyingSin)

Our zoos and animal park are desperately struggling at the moment and are at risk of closure.

One of the zoos and the animal park are charities and do lots of rescue and conservation work, they are on their knees and need to open ASAP. They have received some funding from the government but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to their costs.

Down here, you make your money during the tourist season, what you make in the summer, gets you through the winter. The holiday season should have started at Easter, if things don’t reopen soon, they’ll lose pretty much a whole season. Even if they get through the next few weeks, it will leave a massive hole in their winter accounts

It would be so sad to lose them.

I think zoos could reopen if customers have to pre-book with a designated time slot.

I reckon some parents round here will go to private school instead- the ones who do so if they don't get into their favoured school

That's a shame about the minster school. I think a lot of the small private schools won't survive this.

Hi zombs, I'm back!

I was taken out of circulation and decided to go with it for a while.

Delighted schools in Wales are opening belatedly and jealous some of you have kids back at school.

That’s awful CruCru. My friend’s kids were there, but I think she had already moved them.
I wonder if they will sell the buildings for housing to help plug the Minster’s hole. Can you IMAGINE how much those buildings would be worth, even in a crashed housing market?

@Nihiloxica hello again! Good to see you.

@ExpletiveDelighted I think that there will be fewer clubs for children generally in the short term. So assuming that swim clubs are flexible re joining requirements (I was about to trial dd2 prior to lockdown but she’s only stage 7 and is now 8.5 having not swum for 3 months she’ll have gone backwards also so probably by previous standards wouldn’t have got in) I think that the opposite may be true and that there may be more interest if there is less to do generally and club activity can start again over the summer.

@enjoyingSun

They also need education from people who are trained to do that

That's the bit that gets me - suddenly having professional teachers teach isn't important and anyone ie me can fill the gaps left and if they fall behind oh that's all on me.

Exactly this! They’re doing themselves no favours at all.

@DominaShantotto

Teachers are really going to be fucking themselves over with this "parents need to take charge of educating" thing - they're setting up for a world where we managed with some online providers and teachers just overseeing it while unskilled people did the grunt work back in 2020 - so let's raise class sizes to 60 with the teacher allocating work tasks for someone on minimum wage to supervise the kids doing it brave new world in the future.

Shit, you’re right. In the brave new world where governments are desperately short of money that is exactly how they will make education cheaper.

Not least because there is going to be a whole army of 21 year old graduates without jobs....

@Nihiloxica Welcome back!

I do think the teaching profession is shooting itself in the foot.

Hopefully that will be true. But I have also heard parents say that they are re-evaluating whether or not they want to get back on that treadmill of constant extra-curriculars. I think most will be and Sport England are providing grants so hopefully they will all survive.

Sorrry, that was to Tea.

To be fair some of them did go well over the top. I’ve come across parents whose girls also ballet I don’t know how they find the hours as that is also pretty full on (dd1 gave up ballet for swimming so I’ve experienced both but not at the same time!)

@CruCru

There was a thing in the Times today about York Minster prep school closing because York Minster can't afford to support it any longer (because it can't charge visitors). I know that not everyone will care hugely about private schools but this is going to be a worrying time for all the families of those children.

I used to clean the Minster school! I went to a private school (oo hark at me, and look where it's got me) and I've been getting regular emails from the clerk to the governors basically asking if the old girls can sub school fees for families during the pandemic. Apparently the appeal is very successful, so I'm surprised the Minster school hasn't taken a similar path.

Just emailed our MP about play parks and zoos. Lib dems.

I read that home schooling is causing renewed interest in teaching. hmm

Only just caught up but wanted to say - I sent my reception aged DS back to school on Monday and I am 100% satisfied with my decision to do so. He is so much happier, despite some slightly bonkers (IMO) health and safety policies that have been introduced. They have been out hunting minibeasts and doing plenty of other lovely things that you would expect in reception. It's a lot more basic than before (no iPads, the only thing to play with in the classrooms are the books) but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing!

I am getting this kind of message from GCSE teachers now

Dear Parents,
Firstly I would like to thank you all for the support you have been providing for your son with his remote learning in Design & Technology. Secondly, I want to raise your awareness of the NEA component of the D&T GCSE qualification that is starting next week. This is an extremely important piece of work that spans over the next 8/9 months and is essential to the success of each student. Please can you ensure that your son keeps to the deadlines and contact their teacher for support when required. I have provided some key information below regarding the NEA.

As you can see from the above, the NEA (non examined assessment) holds a huge amount of marks and therefore it is essential that each student maintains his focus from the outset and throughout the duration of the process. The NEA is starting next week and if students fail to complete the work remotely, it will definitely impact their grade!

@orangeblossom78 I think the lack of other jobs is more likely to be increasing interest in teaching...

No pressure then

Yes I was a bit as I know many of us including me struggle with home schooling,