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.

Our President Professor Russell Viner comments on child deaths due to COVID-19

I don’t have any idea what you mean?

I give up

No, I’m sure you will be back to post the same question again!

I give up.

Thank fuck for that.

You asked us what we thought. We told you!

We have provided statistics and facts too! Yours have been challenged, which us fair enough, since most people- including politicians - have misunderstood Viner, due to media reporting. I have read his report in full.

What are you giving up on? Swaying teachers on MN isn't in one iota going to affect government decision making.

OP, you do understand the very simple concept that if you ask for someone's opinion, from someone who is in a profession that you are not, then they are allowed to disagree with you based on their experience?

...and the future health and wellbeing of my children and my family is my priority sunshineanddaffodils. two of us are immuno compromised.

when you write statements about how unlikely it is for young people and children to be infected or become seriously ill please bear in mind that a significant percentage of young people and children in our population have life threatening, life limiting or chronic diseases that mean that this WOULD present serious challenges to them if they got it.

I always think that the statement that you quoted is just so incredibly bloody selfish. And only posted by people who dont have children with life limiting or serious chronic conditions. Lucky you!

Your childs, or anyones child for that matter, mental health is absolutely irrelevant to me at the moment I am afraid. I am just shitting myself that when they do open things up again my immunocompromised child is back at risk again. No point worry about mental health of your child when they are dead is there.

Schools will probably open in some sort of phased way because that’s what other countries are doing.

And secondary teachers are telling you that it will be totally shit.

It won’t be providing a great education
It won’t be providing a great social experience
It won’t be enabling parents to go back to work.

But it will happen regardless and teachers will work their arses off to make the best of a bad job, because that’s what we do.

sunshineanddaffodils

You don't like the answers that is fine.
But how about you come up with suggestions for solutions instead of just spouting "facts".

My dd is going to school (independent specialist) BUT in a school with fewer than 30 pupils and multiple buildings to observe social distancing and to allow for staff self isolating/shielding she can only attend two days per week.
On Thursday there were three pupils on the upper school site with four staff. Upper school has two separate buildings and various outdoor learning options. I can't see how that could be transferred across into Mainstream Secondary.

noblegiraffe

But it will happen regardless and teachers will work their arses off to make the best of a bad job, because that’s what we do.

And we will still get heaps of shit thrown at us from armchair educators for not doing enough.

it seems every suggestion even sensible ones and every bit of statistical data is instantly shut down.

I've had to stop reading the education boards of Mumsnet for exactly this reason.

The defeatist, cant-do-it, lack of creative thinking in the education sector makes me so sad (and mad).

I say that as a member of the sector myself. This pandemic has made me ashamed of the profession.

noblegiraffe has it in one.

No, Fate, we've thought analytically about the suggestions and found weaknesses.

What a supportive Chair of Governors you must be!

As a secondary teacher, I'd love nothing more than to be back in school with the pupils. I miss the interaction with them and seeing them everyday.

I would like to think there will be some sort of return after the May half term (so early June). Even if we could just have Y10 and Y12 in so that we can continue with the syllabus in a more effective way.

Social distancing with a full school isn't doable.

There's no easy answer, health and safety is obviously top priority but equally, schools cannot stay closed forever.

if teachers go down the line of refusing to work until things are 100% safe then they will never go back

I don't know of any teacher who has said they will refuse to work. What we would like to have worked out is assurances around things like soap and hand gel being available at all times, some kind of in-depth look at how PPE may or may not help us (and if it would help us, assurances as to availability), staff who are vulnerable in some way not being bullied into working or facing capability procedures when medical evidence suggests the risk is real, a commitment to ensuring all children are educated (that includes those who have parents who decide they dont' want to take the risk with conditions such as asthma) to a fair and reasonable standard, some clarification on next year's exams (because we are already apprehensive as to just how we will make up the time lost on top of everything else we need to do), how we (collective, national 'we', not just teachers) ensure that children who are living in families where corona has been diagnosed do not come into school, how we ensure families are self-isolating when there has been contact with corona, where a supply budget is going to come from to cover the inevitable absences due to having to self-isolate following contact with someone with corona, what clearing procedures will be put in place if a child or member of staff is found to have had corona whilst in school and how that will be funded, how social distancing can possibly work with a class of 34 in a space meant for 25. Our unions should be consulted. I have ideas. I know my colleagues have ideas as to how things could possibly work. But until someone actually asks us...well, it's all a bit pointless, isn't it?

Why are you worried about them academically? EVERYONE is in the same boat. That’s EVERY. SINGLE. CHILD. IN. ENGLAND.
As you’ve already said, your children are mostly happy and cooperative when it comes to their online learning - so your children aren’t at a proportionate disadvantage. Teachers will ensure their students are prepared for their exams as best they can be when it is safe to do so! That time is not now.

OP I indeed think it is important to reopen schools. Not so much because of children like yours, who do have computers, space...., but because of kids in households, where there are simply not the resources to allow them to learn. Otherwise we‘ll create a ‚lost‘ generation in terms of education.

Not sure where the UK is on the trajectory, but here in Austria, with cases numbers going way down, schools will slowly reopen in May. 6-14 year olds will start May 18th, with split classes going to school 2-3 days per week.

It is a risk, obviously. I guess we‘ll have to monitor the situation and take it from there.

There does seem to be conflicting results from studies on whether children are super carriers or not.

I hear that false negatives are extremely common in tests too. In a local hospital where a friend works they estimate it may be as high as 40%.

two children maybe testing negative but that doesn't mean they don't have it. of course being a symptomatic makes it harder to pass on because you're not coughing and sneezing over everyone!

This is probably more of a primary school issue but millions of grandparents usually provide childcare which will make it very hard for some parents to go back to work now, so I imagine that's one factor in the government pressuring secondary schools to go back before Primary?

The NHS has adapted by apparently shutting down about 90% of the routine stuff it normally does.

I’m not say they haven’t done a good job but what we’re asking of schools is like asking the NHS to deal efficiently with the COVID crisis while also running GP surgeries at full capacity, dealing with overflowing A and E departments, doing all the run of the mill stuff as well. Most of which it has stopped doing. So there’s no comparison IMO.

Silence I very much doubt that everyone is in the same boat. Some have computers, some don‘t. Some have parents with the time and skills to help them with school stuff, some don‘t.

It largely boils down to a class issue, actually. So, if you‘re not of the ‚let them eat cake‘ mind set, it should concern you.

I think some people on here need to remember that teachers have already completely rethought everything they do to create on line learning that is fit for purpose. We care greatly about the students we teach, worry desperately about some of them who are away from us in difficult situations and are doing our best in an unprecedented time. Does that mean we want to go back quickly, risking our own lives and that of our families? No it does not. We are not the NHS- we deal with children who are often unpredictable and can often struggle to be compliant with instructions. Insisting children keep a distance of 2m at all times will be impossible. It amuses me that those desperate for an early return are often also those who are struggling to get their own children to do any work at home.

@michaelbaubles

I totally agree. I wonder which areas of the school the OP would like to be shut down in order for it to run effectively?

I will add also that we design the curriculum. We, as a nation, choose what's on the exam papers. The very best option for year 10, rather than shoving them back into classrooms ASAP, would be to reduce the exam requirements for the next two years now in all subjects and for all boards. That way we give breathing space to staff and students.

I am happy to return when we’re told it’s safe to do so, for staff and pupils.

I would love for this to be sooner rather than later. Can’t see it though.