Schools reopening before May half term?

[Manchestertimes]

What's everyone's opinion on when the schools will reopen? I think they will reopen a few weeks after Easter.

Our primary school is already teaching (reduced timetable) through the easter holidays. they told us they will offer morning only online timetables through the next months as they think 7-10 year olds will struggle being in zoom for longer per day, and working parents have limited time to support them. so i expect them to open as soon as they can and reduce the summer holidays to 3-4 weeks max.

I really don't think they will be back before September. I very much doubt lockdown will be over by June. They may relax some measures but keep working from home, no international travel or holidays and closed schools - we might be allowed out more but with curfews. Really it doesn't matter that much losing school weeks - everyone will be in the same boat. My son just had his A level schooling ditched and if universities open in the autumn he will miss out on months and months of learning.

Don't get carried away with optimism about schooling - return to school in the autumn could be short lived if it flares up again in the winter.

so i expect them to open as soon as they can and reduce the summer holidays to 3-4 weeks max

Unlikely.

@fedup21 ours just more or less scrapped the easter holidays, so i assume summer holidays aren’t going to stay full length either

i assume summer holidays aren’t going to stay full length either

The Easter holidays haven’t been scrapped here. No teaching will be set or lessons delivered. We are opening solely for the children of key workers.

If the current crisis continues, the schools may open for the children of key workers, yes.

@fedup21 zoom lessons and worksheets here. technically voluntary, practically the whole class was logged in today

It’s not the Easter holidays here yet-so still business as normal.

Def business as usual here. Online provision and feedback etc.

I think people forget that we are contracted to work for 195 days a year. It's not simple to say 'cancel the holidays' as if we were salaried without those working days specified in contracts and the burgundy book of teacher pay and conditions (legal document). It's extraordinary enough that we have been asked to consider to stay open in some way (rota so not covering too many extra days) to cover the easter break inc bank holidays.

Staff who have holiday entitlement that they aren't allowed to take under the current circumstances are going to be allowed to carry them over to next year and the year beyond.

Can you imagine if they told teachers they could do that? We can't take term time holidays and things would need to be back on track as normal as soon as possible so if things are opening up in time for the summer holidays, it's not unreasonable to expect parents to make the usual arrangements for holiday care in those times - and holiday clubs etc will all be up and running if social distancing etc has been lifted.

Pretty certain we will be asked to cover May half term too if (when) things are still closed down at that point.

our easter holidays officially started today, but there is 50% provision, so half a day of lessons. this will go on until school opens again. i expect them to do half weeks or so in summer, with 3 weeks completely off.
primary kids can’t do a whole day online, doing half days more often makes a lot of sense

I think January is most likely - autumn half term at absolute earliest.

Why are kids doing online lessons in the Easter holidays?

We’ve just had guidance from the union, that we don’t prepare lessons for the holidays.

Why on earth do people think that schools will be the first thing to open?!

They will be the last. Kids spread germs everywhere.

Rosebel- we don’t get paid for holidays, so there’s nothing to give up

i expect them to do half weeks or so in summer

You can expect what you like, it won’t happen.

Apart from time off!?

What time off?

I’ve been preparing lessons, answering emails and going into work for kids of keyworkers. And I’ve volunteered to go in over Easter even though we don’t get paid.

So please explain ‘time off’

Apart from time off!?

I don’t think anyone can compel teachers to work during an unpaid holiday.

fedup
I think you missed the MN memo that's been around this week. Everyone knows that teachers are paid for their holidays regardless of a contract specifying 195 days. Everyone also knows that holidays should be cancelled in the summer to make life easier for some parents because teachers have been having all their time off now.
The final point of the memo is a reminder that if any teacher considers challenging any of these ideas then that proves what workshy lazy buggers they all are and that they're always wanting a medal for barely working all year.

September

Lola - thank you for making me smile.

I am a senior officer, ex HT and teacher who works for an LA.I see how hard everyone is working in education especially now. I was thinking of coming off MN altogether - I hate the uncalled for 'teacher bashing' that happens on here - not just the comments, but give good reasoned advice, share how it might feel as the teacher...and just be ignored. Not much point sadly.

As much as kids could probably do with going back to school over the summer holidays (if everything is back to normal by then) the teachers will be needing a break. If they’ve been prepping home school work/ working for keyworkers children and prepping for next year it’s not fair to expect them to work over the summer.

My point was that teachers should have summer off not be made to work or give up the holidays so children can go back early. Was,trying to stick up for you and explain that your situation of not having a break until the summer (or in my colleagues place probably longer) is not unique. Obviously that was wrong and shouldn't have bothered t stick up for teachers.

Obviously that was wrong and shouldn't have bothered t stick up for teachers.

I think I misunderstood what your post referred to-you hadn’t quoted anyone. Apologies if it was me that got the wrong end of the stick.

No sorry fed up it wasn't to you. That was in reply to emoji.