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.

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

I expect some sort of staggered system will be implemented here.

That’s not what some posters want though-they think that isn’t good enough and want schools back and running just as before, with 30 to a class and full train carriages of school children as from Monday because they want things back to NORMAL!

Birdie maybe those who struggle to get their kids to do their school work at home, are the same who, say, put their lives on the line every day as nurses, or as food factory workers, so people like you can have a full stomach in isolation while judging them.

The NHS has also commandeered large spaces to use for the Nightingale hospitals and freed up staff by shutting down routine clinics and bringing them on to the COVID front line. Schools don’t have “spare” staff - if we’re teaching, the staff are teaching. Even if you brought in every single supply teacher, non-teaching SLT, retired teacher etc you still wouldn’t have enough to teach classes with the required social distancing if you even had somewhere to put them. So either we only teach some of the school or we scrap SD altogether.

Nicely measured post PumpkinPie2016

As it happens Piggywaspushed, my school is lead by creative can-do thinkers who are finding solutions instead of problems. The sadness I mention at the lack of resilience in the education sector is a reflection on posts I've read here on mumsnet. There seems to be a disproportionally large voice of "can't do it" educators on Mumset (see next point...)

Mistressiggi - weaknesses identified. Stopped at the point of bothering to find solutions?

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.

We’re a way off where you are. The numbers are coming down but we’ve got a way to go before we get them way down and we started off at a higher point than you did. Once we get there I think we’ll probably see schools starting to open on a similar basis with kids in part time.

That might happen before the end of term. It depends on how well people stick to the lockdown rules and stop trying to bend them.

FATEdestiny How interesting - I note you describe yourself as having QTS but not a practising teacher? Why is that? I ask because several people I have met over the years who've had the most disparaging views of teachers have been people who have tried it but found it, ahem, wasn't for them they were shit at it.

How you can say schools and teachers have failed to adapt is beyond me. Have you taken any time to find out what's actually going on in schools at the moment? And maybe we could get on with some 'creative thinking' and planning if the government gave us some indication of a possibly trajectory for reopening. I mean, it's not as if schools get any say in what happens, regardless of what teachers post on here. We'll probably find out we're opening in 2 days on the news, as happened with closure.

As it happens Piggywaspushed, my school is lead by creative can-do thinkers who are finding solutions instead of problems. The sadness I mention at the lack of resilience in the education sector is a reflection on posts I've read here on mumsnet. There seems to be a disproportionally large voice of "can't do it" educators on Mumset (see next point...)

Is that you Mr Trump?

I agree with pumpkin too Fate who has said nothing different from any other teacher on here!

who are finding solutions instead of problems.

As will every school when we are ready for them to go back. As we’re not ready for them to do that yet, they’re probably putting that creative can-do attitude to providing the best possible education they can at the moment.

I note you describe yourself as having QTS but not a practising teacher? Why is that?

I'm a SAHM. I voluenteer, quite substantially, in the educational (and community) sectors instead. I'm very lucky and fortunate to be in a position of not needing to work just now. It's not a judgement on my teaching ability.

It's very far from being my job to find a solution to the UK's exit from lockdown Fate but I'm glad you think me worthy.
When we have decided social distancing is no longer necessary we can return to work, that's the long and short of it unfortunately imo (since you asked for it).
We could increase numbers of key workers dc but would need to learn some lessons from where that is currently going wrong.

Theduchessstill

I thought the same about Fate it is one of two clues that show she has either never taught in a classroom or failed as a teacher.

What you said about Schools finding soultions to a global pandemic worries me. The government are supposed to find solutions based on advice from SAGE, not make it up as they go along(jury is out there).
Yet, I suspect Gavin Williamson will say right, everyone, schools reopen in 2 days. We'll leave it up to you now.' And thence mess and chaos will ensue. Teachers are not global pandemic experts. and nor are governors

my school is lead by creative can-do thinkers who are finding solutions instead of problems

Its interesting that its other people that are finding the solutions and not you.

Also you have to find the problem before you can solve it.

As your school is so clearly beyond all others maybe you could shine a light on their all encompassing solutions?

Lack of thinking outside of the box
No apparent can-do attitude
No problem solving to find ways to make their sector work

What, the education sector that has pulled an entirely new way of educating and safeguarding children across the board out of thin air?

I hope head teachers are not thinking this way too. It's a damn good job the leaders in the NHS didn't think that way

See above. I think leaders in the NHS and Education sector have been exceptional.

The NHS innovated, solved issues rather than just declaring it impossible, they completely changed the way hospital buildings, staffing and infrastructure worked. And the NHS did that in about 3 weeks

Yep. So have schools. NhS leaders had the advantage of a pandemic plan already in place - that’s doesn’t take away from what they’ve achieved at all.

Yet so many educators consider managing the pandemic in their schools to be impossible, and definately not something they can do quickly

We have absolutely no idea what we will be directed to do from central govt. We are trying to put together a number of alternative plans, and we’re asking sensible questions. What would you rather we do?

The majority of the education sector here are more focused on the barriers stopping them, rather than creating thinking to overcome the barriers

Again, not true. We don’t know what we’re dealing with - being directed to open fully needs very different thinking to having a third of the kids in/two thirds at home. It’s really important to identify the barriers - all of them - in order to safeguard and educate.

Those who can, do. Those who can't...

I note you’re a CoG. It’s a shame you have this attitude.

Perhaps it is time to stop engaging with Fate. After all, despite what they claim about teachers being resistant to going back into school, they don't even have enough courage to finish that trite little quote.

Something brought to light by this crisis has been the extent to which English schools are a) overcrowded and b) understaffed compared to other nations. Not that it's exactly unknown to us teachers, but we've begun to take it for granted, I think. Every time we've had an overseas visitor in school they're remarked on the smallness of the classrooms. That exacerbates the problem (in the SE we have the additional problem of the mad admissions system and expensive houses that mean a lot of DC and their teachers commute by overcrowded public transport every day).

Definitely something for govt to think about long term. In our dreams.

I think teachers are only being realistic about what might happen as we have seen our institutions stagger blindly into trouble a few times before...and being creative and proactive in an autocracy is rarely rewarded!

I think the only way it will work will be much smaller groups, half days so that there are no meal times , break is taken in the classroom and toilet breaks are staggered. Therefore I don't anticipate all children being back and I don't anticipate any being full time.

A model I've heard about is a 7-12, 1-5 model and children do one or other of the halves in small groups.

FrippEnos - I thought the same aboutFateit is one of two clues that show she has either never taught in a classroom or failed as a teacher.

Personal insults? Nice, rational response to challenge there.

Have you taken any time to find out what's actually going on in schools at the moment?

Yes. Weekly SLT meetings, via video link. Plus several extrodinary MAT and LAC governors meetings for strategic planning.

As mentioned, it's the vocal nay-sayers on Mumsnet education boards that I find saddening to read. All this "NO, we can't do that" "It will never work" attitude is so disappointing. Schools and teachers are so, so much better than that.

What I can't fathom is what is going to be so different in September than June? A vaccine by all accounts won't be available until at least spring next year and there is no way children can have be off school until then. So plans need to be put in place sooner rather than later IMO

@FATEdestiny

And yet you are happy to collectively insult teachers?
We, as teachers within the classroom, have very little, if any, power as to the 'big' decisions that are made.

And please, once again, learn how to spell. Or is that why you left the classroom, because you are incapable?

I’ve been following the 40++ thread of those who have had covid and it sounds awful. It does worry me for the staff in schools and also how pick up and drop offs would be done.

Ah, an NQT.
You're good with trite phrases Fate, have you heard the one about a little knowledge being a dangerous thing? Seems appropriate somehow.

what is going to be so different in September than June?

Nothing. Was chatting to my next door neighbour yesterday - she's second year QTS primary. She suggested it wasn't worth going back in June, on the basis that there's only a few weeks until summer so what's the point? I despair - not all the naysayers are on Mumsnet.

My thoughts are that schools should run through the summer this year, with one/two weeks off for the end of August bank holiday and new term starts September as normal. But I know how much those of inflexible minds will hate that idea - it's unlikely to get any backing from teachers. Because... holidays (?!)

@FATEdestiny if you have a solution for social distancing in schools I wish you would share it.