Secondary Teachers, what do you think about going back to school for the last term with social distancing?

[sunshineanddaffodils]

My year 8 and year 10 dc are in the best possible situation at this point. Both have their own computer, space to work, pretty good home learning from school and both are cooperating. However, I am so worried about the impact being off school until September will have on them socially, on their mental well-being let alone the academic side of things. When I think about dc who are less fortunate than mine I feel so anxious and concerned. I’d be so happy to see some sort of phased return to school as soon as possible really. Looking at the stats I’m not concerned about the health any of the dc or staff at the school although obviously wouldn’t expect anyone in the vulnerable categories or dc of the vulnerable to be expected to return (there’s only one teacher at at their school who is shielding because he’s diabetic). I think school should reopen and the vulnerable remain isolated so the virus cannot be passed on to them if dc fo pick it up at school.

If we are all going to get it anyway then perhaps we just need to go back and take a risk.

Read Nellodees thread Xenia if we all got it at once the NHS would be overwhelmed

@Xenia. So we all go back in May and take the chance? Seems like a good idea - except @infernotowering and the rest of the NHS could be completely overwhelmed.

If we have 20000 dead having been in lock down for all these weeks, what do you think the figures will look like if everyone just goes back to normal? The curve flattened because we stayed at home. If we all just go back, it'll rise and, possibly, won't stop.

Which means no ventilator if you need it and you're patient 4001 in a 4000 bed Nightingale hospital...

The update today said that social distancing will need to continue when schools reopen. That can’t happen without reduced numbers.

Or see if you can find the English version of Merkel’s press conference the other day.

Basically R0 of 1 means health system can cope.
R0 of 1.1 means German healthcare system will be overwhelmed by October.
R0 of 1.3 means German system will be overwhelmed by June.

Given we have fewer beds per capita, everybody going out and getting it by going back is monumentally irresponsible.

What about all those school staff and children who live with someone with high risk for developing complications (not to mention those extremely vulnerable on the government's 12 week shielding list!) ? People with asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, lots of very common conditions that many people have? It's not just a matter of the staff and children with no underlying health conditions returning. It will impact those they live with, who have such conditions. Not to mention that children and healthy young people are dying from this too.

Oh but you're "not concerned about the health of any of the dc or staff at the school", are you? Just as long as your kids don't get a bit bored or fed up.

They aren’t tracking at all at the moment.

Ah ok, thanks for the info.

Ummm...They would have to pay cleaners etc a hell of a lot more all of a sudden.Or would they be expected to just suck it up and do their bit to use two favourite MN phrases.

Interesting with regards Italy

@Birdsong20 thank you for your post which has helped reassure me regarding missing school. I think it’s the fact my ds is year 10, due to do GCSES next year that is bothering me. He was so settled, really happy with teachers and subjects and doing well. Not so concerned about the academic impact on my year 8.
Both my dc really enjoy school and the social side. They are lucky to have good friends and enjoy the social aspects of school massively. I know they are keeping in touch via technology but it’s not the same. They’re getting bored and stagnating a bit, spending too much time behind screens and it’s only week 5. That’s why I’m concerned about them. Don’t get me wrong they’re happy enough - they’re baking, going out for walks etc, but it’s not really enough. I know everyone is in the same boat and my 2 are luckier than many but I’m so sad they’re lives are on hold. Just struggling with it all and maybe focusing too much on this.

@sunshineanddaffodils

My advice for y10 pupils would be to complete the work given out but concentrate on English and Maths and the subjects that he will want to study for further education. Try to do a bit extra, eg Revision world has past papers on all subjects and he could start with looking at the foundation papers to start off with. Maybe completing a few and mark with the mark schemes which are also provided. It's really good for exam technique.

All these threads about schools reopening are getting ridiculous - as a secondary teacher I offer the following observations

a) Schools do not have the space (as every other actual teacher on this thread has pointed out!) to ensure social distancing, the HT of the Michaela school has even written that despite her school being the strictest in the UK even they could not do it

b) if we were to open to more students then currently on the list then more staff are needed physically this will mean that
i) a significant amount of teachers are not able to also be online where the majority of students need them to be
ii) a large number of staff are on the 12 week issue
iii) transport cause a huge nightmare - not all students live in walking distance

c) yr 11/13 teachers are having to focus on sorting out grading for their students qualifications, would you really want this to be done whilst we are shouting "2 metres" constantly

I am actually working more/longer than normal during these times (especially given my yr 11/13 are on vocational qualifications for whom no clear direction has been given yet by Ofqual so I'm fielding numerous emails from very worried students who can't complete coursework due to lack of IT/resources)

I understand the frustration felt by many but please understand that teachers are not slacking or putting blocks in place but we are not in the same position of any other establishment (and before I get jumped on - teaching is my 2nd career I have worked in the 'real world'!)

I wish people would stop saying that schools can only go back when it's 'safe' - they will never be suitable buildings, it will never be possible to maintain distance, they will never be 'safe' enough, will they, so what the hell happens now? How will there ever be a 'right time' for them to open again now?

How will there ever be a 'right time' for them to open again now?

As mentioned on this thread when R0 is down. Testing is in place. Cleaners can be in place, hand washing, hand gel and when we have enough staff.

RTFT!

But if you say they will never be safe, then you’re by definition sending ALL children, and a large number of adults, into a place that is unsafe. Given that we are still working, very hard, in a job that’s more difficult and considerably less satisfying than our normal job, but in an environment that’s very safe, there needs to be a very clear reason why it will be better to move into an unsafe environment. Education actually isn’t it - we CAN provide education for all children from home (we know they are not all accessing it and this is a huge worry for every teacher but we can do our part in making sure education is provided) and as PPs have pointed out, part-time, makeshift “education” will be of poorer quality than that provided remotely. So the only real reason for us to go back into an unsafe environment is economic. And therefore we know money is being placed higher than our health and that of our all our children. I think it’s fine for teachers to at least raise an objection to that. Heck, nobody else is going to stick up for us. We need to point it out at the very least.

Right, so when everything is 'in place'. And erm, hand gel or something. Righto.

Italy has announced that schools won't return until September!

Right, so when everything is 'in place'. And erm, hand gel or something. Righto.

Clever and helpful

Good for children to eat though, isn't it? Bloody money, who needs it?

@tinytemper66 they were breaking on 7 June.

Denmark, Belgium, Germany and France have all said schools will go back in May/June with different strategies to allow this.

Good for children to eat though, isn't it? Bloody money, who needs it?

What?

I work in an SEMH school and we have just over half of our students in. I gave up on social distancing about 3 weeks ago as it’s near impossible. Particularly as our students often have to be physically restrained due to behaviour.

I’m in Northern Ireland and when our schools closed the news reports said it would be until September. I’m not sure if that has changed but I hope not.
My year 10 is being taught extremely well using google classroom etc. Plenty of work is being set and enough is being followed up on to ensure it is actually being completed. Dd in year 14 is still being set work though not as much now.
The principal, Senior staff and year heads also regularly send group emails. I am really pleased with what school is doing. It’s obvious that teachers are putting a lot of work in and it is much appreciated.

lamplamplamo

I can't see any point in engaging.