Secondary school not returning in January

[cheesecrackersandcorona]

Sorry if there's already a thread on this. School have emailed with plan for virtual/online learning in January.

Poor teachers. I feel awful that this has been put upon them a day before end of term.

I thought this might happen, and I agree with the decision but it just all feels a bit bleak. Anyone else?

@needabus

We are going to decline secondary age testing and just keep our dc off all January then reassess

Why would you decline testing? Genuine question.

@cheesecrackersandcorona I think the government want us all to the do the testing. It's a total mess to be honest.

My ds is back a week late too - I just got the email through.

My dds are in year 11 and 13 in a different school and I haven't heard from their school yet

Don't know anything about testing either - how frequently is it proposed they are all tested?

Because he will have to go into school for the test and we would rather just avoid it totally so no chance of picking covid up. We have dc at primary too and I’m not prepared to risk it jan and possibly feb they do well with online learning and it’s the sensible option with our family circumstances

@needabus that makes sense - except that schools will not be able to provide online learning for your children once the majority of children are back. They'll be too busy teaching and testing!!

The testing guidance hasn’t been released yet. DFE webinar today made it a bit clearer that this is optional for schools (and students within schools who choose to do it) I’m aware of three local authorities (two Labour, one Conservative) who have told schools to leave even thinking about it till January, meaning it definitely won’t be up and running that first week back.

The primaries have already said they will. Schools can do it and are happy to. I would urge anyone with CEV children to speak to their schools - I honestly feel that the government have treated local authorities badly and the schools actually want to help parents and pupils they won’t fine or make things difficult

@cheesecrackersandcorona

When I say it hasn't been talked about I just mean in my Sons school. I. Not complaining about any of it. I'm just sad.

That’s because this was only dumped on schools yesterday.

Yes I've just had an email too. I'm in England and it's regarding senior schools. Rolling out of testing in January.

For the first week back on 4th January, only Year 11s to physically attend. All other years will be remote teaching. We're an independent school. Remote teaching was good in April/May so I expect the same.