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.

FATEdestiny

Personal insults? Nice, rational response to challenge there.

I have responded to your oh so "rational" points.

I have even ignored your goading.

Seems that you don't like to be argued with or even have things pointed back in your direction.

No one that has ever taught in a classroom would put NQT in a description of any teacher.
Nor would they put your trite little teacher goad in either.

Frankly, you so yourself up for what you are.

Thanks for the heads up Rafals. I mean, numbers go down sooner or later everywhere. What I find concerning is where this leaves us. It is not like huge amounts of immune people have been created by the first wave (though we‘ll need antibody test data to really know). So will it now be lockdown - opening up cycles until a vaccine is available - at earliest autumn 2021?

We will need more staff - I think by remaining at home when you could be volunteering to be back in a school you are not doing your bit at all.

I’m seeing teachers on twitter having exactly the same conversations as we are having on here. How can we do this in a way that actually brings anything of value to the table?

No one seems to have any blindingly great ideas there either.

I think it’s a long way off and with a lot of logistics to plan and test.

I can see it happening like school-based nursery provision, ie with half the school doing mornings and the other half doing afternoons. No lunch time provision (both sets of classes eat at home) and the curriculum being scaled right back to Maths, English, IT and Science. Secondary teachers will have to be redeployed a bit from specialisms that aren’t taking place and work from the directions of teachers in the core subjects.

Children of essential workers will presumably need full days too, and exam years/certain key stages like reception will probably need to be prioritised too.

My kid is on the extremely vulnerable list so crikey knows what will happen with her but she almost won’t be able to go back in the same time frame as others. We’ve had three letters and three phone calls telling/reminding us that she isn’t allowed out of the house until June at the earliest and must not have any contact with anyone outside of the household. She already missed a whole year of school while actively battling her illness (a life-threatening virally-induced immune deficiency) and only went back full time in September 2019.

Still. My DD is the exception not the rule, so decisions need to be made with more average kids in mind (and it’s frankly a no-brainer decision when you’ve already seen your kid on a ventilator. She has a lifetime to catch up on learning, as long as she has a life).

Much easier for private schools as class sizes are usually significantly smaller (I moved my eldest to a fee-paying school in year 9 because he just couldn’t cope with a giant comprehensive. He went from a class size of 30 to a class of 16 - was never really my choice or on my radar at all really but was very grateful to have an alternative even if we didn’t have a holiday for ages). Boarders will be a logistical nightmare though.

@FATEdestiny

Please give me a concrete example of how your school has solved problems that other schools haven't?

Just a quick change

would put "QTS" in a description of any teacher

Not NQT

When you say as normal, do you mean with classes of 30? I’m not sure that’s going to happen and it’s not going to be teachers making that decision.

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

You are a CoG?

I wonder if the head, teachers and parents at your school know your views on teachers. It would be useful for them know, I think.

That really does make me sad. I’m so glad our Chair of Governors is nothing like you.

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

Please tell me the schools that aren't doing this.

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 (?!)

I am working, full time at the moment. Many children are doing full time school days - and are unable to see their friends.

Why do you think making children go straight through the summer without a break is a good idea for their SEMH? If restrictions are lifted, they need some time off.

I suspect you will read my response and see “naysayer” though.

My thoughts are that schools should run through the summer this year,

Well, the government have no plans to do this.

No point in prioritising core subjects dulang if you then redeploy , say, an Art teacher to do GCSE maths ( no offence Art!)

However, I do think education is about to become worryingly utilitarian. Worrying, because it might suit some political agendas for it to stay that way.

do you mean with classes of 30?

Almost all our locals (from KS2 onwards) are up to 32 again.

The teachers I know are fantastic but you’d have to be magical to ensure safe distancing in an already over-full classroom!

Teachers don’t get paid for school holidays. Don’t of any schools who have a huge budget of spare cash for additional salaries?

Ah, an NQT - I'm not an NQT Mistressiggi?

My credentials don't matter. But I did give some of them earlier. If you're interested:

• 11 years secondary science/chemistry
• SAHM when my DC2 was born, since had two more children. Now have 2 in primary and 2 in secondary
• Current Vice CoG secondary
• Current governor on MAT board of directors
• Previous Vice CoG primary
• Local government councillor
• Girlguiding District Commissioner
• Tawny Owl at brownies for the last 27 years

And? Does the above make my opinions any more valid? Or any less valid? No, they don't. My credentials change the validity of my challenge.

Have anyone realised how personal and bullying this thread has become? This is a stressful time for everyone. Parents are extremely worried about their dc and teachers need to appreciate this not attack us for daring to want some normality for our dc. The correspondence I’ve had from my dcs school has been much more positive and kind. I hope none of the staff that teach mine have the bullying attitude of some on here.

Our school is Hercwasonaroll. It's video link though, not in-person.

This means Fate hasn't taught in schools for at least a decade.

My thoughts are that schools should run through the summer this year

Well, the government have no plans to do this.

I know. I don't work in government just yet. 😎

@GuyFawkesDay

Exactly. No further points required.

And? Does the above make my opinions any more valid? Or any less valid? No, they don't. My credentials change the validity of my challenge

I think you mean they don't. And you're right, you still come over as a GF.

You can't read either. I asked which schools aren't doing what you wrote.

Every school I know is video meeting SLT near daily to try and plan. The problem is that no one knows what to plan for.

Students will get a better education taught remotely by a subject specialist (even if that's one not from their school - eg Oak Academy) than being taught by someone outside their subject in school. Taking into account of course that most teachers have at least one other subject they could teach in a "that'll do" way. If an options subject teacher such as an art or drama teacher is drafted into Maths or Science the lessons will have to be planned by specialists anyway, which is a large burden on top of teaching your normal classes.

So for secondary students they are actually getting a better deal being at home than being sat in a classroom with any warm body at the front, even though it doesn't feel like it.