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.

I’m not saying every subject for every year group should be provided

It should be smaller class sizes and even if revision by non specialists it’s better than nothing

Mistress I teach adults in secure setting so I’ll rerurn to reach 500 variable adults from two weeks from now

Reduced class sizes and staggered class starts but to be fair it won’t matter as this is something that isn’t going to go away. Sept offers us no more chance if vaccine than June so we can’t close forever

I imagine schools be same - reduced kids and staff

Right now not many are working but in next few weeks more and more people will return to work - many from jobs that didn’t need to close anyway but who have spent time putting procedures in place

Schools are no different imo

They just need to adapt

Separate days or am/pm etc

I agree it’s difficult but government won’t risk economy so will make decisions based on fact parents need the childcare

Not saying I agree with it but we can’t close til next year and they’ve already said no vaccine til at least 2021

Sunshine1239

How do you think any form of reduced provision will do down?

We have already seen on here (various MN threads) over the last few weeks just how little the education setting is understood by parents.

And how little parents understand what teachers actually do.

The bile that has been spouted has been ridiculous.

Like I said I’m nervous to go but it’s something we will all have to live with

Every single employee will either return to work shortly or if their industry is closed long term, will find themselves looking for alternative work so working anyway

Schools sadly are part of that transition

Ok @BlessYourCottonSocks - what if you were a mid-50s bus driver with COPD? Or a factory worker or something and were expected to carry on working through this? You say 'schools are not the same as any other workplace. They're really not.' but what that really means is some sectors/careers are more fortunate than others with their terms and conditions, and thank god for that. And that's alright, it's not a race to the bottom, but say it like it is, not like school is uniquely treacherous.

I expect it’ll be difficult and people will moan as they do! But by June -which I think is earliest schools will open- parents may be glad of anything!

Sunshine1239

No-one is saying that schools can't go back (unless in rare cases they have been informed).

No-one is saying that schools shouldn't adapt
and no-one is saying that schools going back are not part of the solution.

But rushing back will not solve the problem and could make it so very much worse.

Not saying I agree with it but we can’t close til next year

No-one is saying that we should or could.

and they’ve already said no vaccine til at least 2021

This depends on what you read, I have seen from September to 2022.

not like school is uniquely treacherous.

Keep up the comedy. Thanks for the laugh

You really need to have a day in a school or have read many threads on here for the last three months.

Schools are no different schools are no different schools are no different SCHOOLS ARE NO DIFFERENT. People keep saying that.

Of course they are different to a sodding office or supermarket because they involve HUGE AMOUNTS OF CHILDREN.

People’s kids. I wouldn’t even send my boy to the corner shop right now.

If schools aren’t safe, if parents aren’t happy, then that opinion will probably matter more than teachers.

And the polling says that right now, the majority of parents would not be happy to send their kids back to school.

You wouldn't send him to the corner shop? Then you are mad!

Parents aren’t happy now as many not back in work

Once employees start returning over next few weeks that attitude will change

Many employers closed initially who didn’t need to - they panicked about social distancing. Many are now returning having put some procedures in place hence more people on road etc

Lockdown is being reviewed in two weeks if not before. Background noises suggest workers will return in some capacity

Therefore they’ll be pressure on schools to return and take on the risk like everyone else

The risk from kids is less than adults as their viral load so far is proven to be lower

Parents will send if they have no choice I’m sure

@imhotep3

I've seen you on several threads, so won't waste my energy.

Not sending your kids the corner shop it paranoia at the worst

Seriously

The risk to kids is practically non existent

Sunshine1239
"Many employers closed initially who didn’t need to - they panicked about social distancing. Many are now returning having put some procedures in place hence more people on road etc"

I have highlighted the important words here.

Saying that something will be sorted doesn't mean that it will be.

And you have said that you will be going back to smaller classes.
So why shouldn't teachers get the same provision?

Sunshine1239
The risk to kids is practically non existent

Based on not very reliable data about a virus we know little about.

I said earlier that I think that’ll happen in schools too

That schools should imo return in June with reduced classes

So one year group per day spread across all teacher or similar

So 1/5 of children attend per day

Or similar obviously

No one would expect schools to return fully

I mean that kids go 1 or 2 days a week

No, because you’re not worth it.

@imhotep3

Noble

I’m sure you have your reasons and they are I’m sure legit but please don’t pass that panic on to your children who would be going to school soon

It’s a scary time for us all but important to get into perspective

The risks to healthy people under 40 are ridiculously low

I mean honestly, ridiculously low like almost nothing

are the daffodils a nice thing? they're not are they?

It's just as well my dc don't care about their well-over-40 parents then (Hollow-)
I've really lost the point of what Sunshine is saying though - schools are still open, we will open with some kind of phased, part time thing - well we all know that really don't we? We're not being asked anything new here.