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.

Don't all go to bed, not when you're all getting so pompous and crazy!

Think collateral nailed it - there's a couple of earlier nights needed on this thread, & maybe pick up your mic/teddy as you go, ladies .

Teachers still can't just pop back into their classroom, switch the lights on & all systems are go. Best will in the world, we generally weren't consulted about shutdowns or given notice, & we won't be asked nicely if we fancy going back; we will be told.

The people you need to be shouting at are ----> over there, pretending to be a government. Don't blame teachers if they're a bit shit; we definitely didn't choose them...

Oh I suspect at least one of us did, you know.

Shutting it down? I enjoyed.

Sorry Miss.

There is one key point that has been omitted throughout this thread; the government is rolling out a scheme to provide disadvantaged pupils with laptops, and families with 4G to enable them to access online learning. Pupils with a social worker will be getting a tablet or other means to make contact. Do we really think this is going to be put in place if the schools are returning after half-term?

Don’t ever, ever assume that the DfE has a plan.

Precisely why a return isn't imminent, if the school meals vouchers were anything to go by.

Don’t ever, ever assume that the DfE has a plan. Indeed.

At the moment, there is full time provision for key workers' children- and that includes teachers. If schools go back on a part time basis the need will still be there but the provision won't.

I agree re the laptops. There is no way this sort of investment would be being made if schools were about to reopen.

Probably a deeply unpopular view but I think all year groups should restart the current year again in September to ensure no one is left behind.

They are not going to be left behind though because everyone is in the same boat. Also, if everyone goes back a year that would mean a whole year group does not go to university which means all UK universities will go out of business and we know no longer have a higher education system.

This thread has become hilarious.

I'm sure school staff are happy to go to school if it is safe to. As it stands there are many schools with 34 desks in rooms for 30, limited toilets that would only allow one student at a time, corridors that don't allow people to pass at 2m, school busses that are normally full. There needs to be a proper plan considering buildings, wash facilities, travel, and the expert guidance on transmission.

Not someone claiming to be a teacher jumping between "yes open with social distancing... No I can't comment on what social distancing would look like... so if social distancing can't happen then suck it up... Seriously teachers you guys just want to be off work, you're so lazy expecting special treatment".

icecreamcrackers I thought that briefly but then realised that it probably wouldn't happen as y13 redoing a year would mean universities have almost no first years, and everyone staying put would cause issues with early years.
There'd be knock on effects indefinitely with either everyone being a year behind at and at some point a double sized year group in buildings that often are crowded as it is. I'm not sure how they'd solve it

Probably a deeply unpopular view but I think all year groups should restart the current year again in September to ensure no one is left behind

It couldn’t work though-what would the year 11/13s do for a year at school when they already have their qualifications?

How would universities survive financially with no first years?

The knock-on effect of preschools having to keep all their 4/5 year olds would mean thousands of people expecting children to go into nurseries, wouldn’t have a place.

Schools need to go back at some point but we need to accept that when I do social distancing is not really possible so it's unlikely to be before September. Maybe when they do go back teachers and pupils who are at high risk could be distanced from other pupils or teachers but it can't work for everybody. Sickness absence polices will have to change as well as the last thing we need is for anyone to feel pressured into going into school when ill as has been the case for many years.

Maybe when they do go back teachers and pupils who are at high risk could be distanced from other pupils or teachers but it can't work for everybody.

The only possible distance would be them remaining at home-there is no other option in most schools as there’s nowhere for them to be.

If all those vulnerable staff members are told to stay at home, we will have great difficulties in staffing our school.

Probably a deeply unpopular view but I think all year groups should restart the current year again in September to ensure no one is left behind

They did 26 weeks and have missed about 13-14. So over half and the year 11s and 13s a bit less. So not sure its needed.

Health Minister has announced there are currently no plans to reopen schools.

That's if September even fewer weeks if June.

The only possible distance would be them remaining at home-there is no other option in most schools as there’s nowhere for them to be.

I meant sitting a couple of metres away from the pupils if possible rather than staying at home. That could mean that if there was a pupil or teacher who was higher-risk would have to be allocated a larger classroom if some too small. If the school really can do that then yes the pupil or teacher would have to remain at home. Schools can't remain closed forever. They have to reopen at least by September.

can can't

Thanks for the reports on this thread - we've had to report a fair few posts which broke our Talk Guidelines.

Can we remind you all that Mumsnet is here to make parents' lives easier?

It's fair to say that we encourage robust discussion but we expect folk to be respectful and to express their views without resorting to personal attacks. We're sure you'd agree that we all need support and understanding - and that's even more important right now during these unsettling times.

Please do bear our TGs in mind when posting - if we have to delete more posts, we'll have to consider taking down the thread entirely.

Peace and love.

Taking down the thread entirely would be for the best, imo MNHQ.

Absolutely

I also agree with that piggy.

Censorship is never a good idea.

The nation is about to have an almighty battle between (1) the teaching profession and (2) parents and the state who need parents back at work in order to pay the salaries of nurses and teachers and feed the nation.

You can see it playing out on here already.

Xenia it’s not parents versus teachers, the majority of parents don’t want to send their kids back to school yet.

Teachers don’t have any say in this so stop trying to stir up antagonism against teachers.

And let’s not forget that you are posting out of self-interest.