To not want my child to return to a school full of reluctant teachers

[Heldupwithscaffolding]

Even if the Government endorses school reopening, who would want to send their child into an environment where the teachers clearly do not want them there ?

I’ve said this on another thread but I don’t think it’s about being teachers being reluctant they just can’t teach they was they always have, I honestly don’t think people realise what they will sending their children back to. Reception classes will have all the play areas out of bounds and put away, 4/5 year olds expected to stay at their desk for the majority or the day, not to touch their friends at all, outside play will be in small groups again no play equipment allowed, and back inside to sit at desks again. some schools won’t be able to provide hot meals so although the children get free lunches this will consist of a small sandwich, fruit and a small muffin again at their desk in a paper bag. Oh and some their little friends will probably be in different classroom down the corridor with a teacher they hardly know as they can for no more than 10 in one room. Sound fun doesn’t it? Poor children and poor staff. I can’t imagine many children wanting to go back on day 2... and sorry children teacher can’t comfort if you are upset. It’s heartbreaking.

@Theredjellybean just take a look at the infection rates in Denmark and their R rate when they re-opened schools, compared to ours.
And yes, a lot of govt help and money to make their schools safer than ours will be.

@Playdoughbum
If the headteacher believes it is not safe for staff and pupils to return, than they probably should make a decision of not opening the school, as it is within their remit. Not trying to scare the parents into not sending their children to school through frankly ridiculous threats of not attending to their injuries. The parents are not three year olds.

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During this whole debacle I have been deeply saddened by the continually negative attitude so many of the people of this country have towards teachers.

NHS staff, delivery drivers, bin-men, posties etc have all been applauded and revered. In contrast I hear nothing but complaints about teachers: not working hard enough, not setting enough work, setting too much work, not marking enough, not doing live lessons, refusing to go back to school, selfishly demanding a safe work environment etc etc etc.
This is at a time where, as a teacher, I am working harder than ever to try and give my students the best education possible in these difficult circumstances, whilst trying to support those struggling with mental health.

I truly despair of this country.

🌺🌸🌼🌺🌸🌼🌺🌸🌼🌺🌸🌼🌺🌸

frankly ridiculous threats of not attending to their injuries. The parents are not three year olds.

It’s not a threat. It’s actually written in the government guidance. Blame the government not the school. And it is because parents are not three years old (even if some act like it) that they deserve to have the full facts before making their decision. It feels off to you because it is off and it’s uncomfortable to hear-the whole situation is off-it’s just not the schools fault. (By the way, I am a parent of a reception aged child so I do get it)

And fair point on headteachers being vulnerable to possible legal action in case of a member of staff death - but many managers across the country are in a similar position. Good if the employer has solid leadership at the top and decisions are made centrally - but some managers were told to follow the government updates and manage their team return accordingly, and quite honestly - it is a legal minefield and a full time job in itself, and only those at the very top usually have directors and officers liability insurance. The education / childcare sector at least received sector-specific guidelines (admittedly, ultra vague).

What is it with posters thinking they know all about a profession they've never done.

There was a police bashing thread not long ago (where barely anyone was as interested or bothered by the way they were being generalised like teachers are here btw) where posters were saying 'what do they even do all day?' as well... When they've never done a day as a police officer. How fucking stupid is that.

Its almost like the government want us to thrash it out ourselves instead of taking our concerns to them
That's exactly what they're doing.
They're trying to divide and rule, and it's working if you look at the front page of yesterday's Daily Mail and some of the vitriol on here where seemingly having a child makes some people an expert on everything from health and safety across varied school sites through to curriculum planning.
At the moment some people think the only ones who haven't a clue about running schools and teaching are teachers.

Meanwhile the reasonable majority are placing their challenges at the government, whose feckless lack of strategic oversight us causing a lot of issues.

I'm not sending mine back until September, as it stands at the moment. Not due to coronavirus fears, but because the head has made it abundantly clear that she does not want to open. Despite what the teachers say on here, it was very, very apparent that they hated being there before they closed, I don't want DC to deal with that as well as the new set up. DD is due back as soon as they open (year 1) - a potential 4 weeks of weirdness, with a chance of none of her friends with her, before 6 weeks off is just not worth it to me. She suffers from school anxiety anyway, the only person she completely trusts in school will not be there; if it's like it was, in terms of stress, before they closed, she's better off not there for the time being.

The school have provided roughly 2 hours of work per week (yes I asked for more, I was directed to bitesize), so I've bought enough books and resources to keep us going properly now anyway.

@Crookshanksthecat those other jobs you mention, most of us have a passing acquaintance with them whereas we are heavily invested in our children's education and experience schools and teachers day in day out. Also, the teaching unions plus how their motives are portrayed by the right wing press don't do the profession any favours in terms of the public image.

@Justgorgeous you're right, it's not fair for anyone. The difference is, my dh, who is now back at work, has a safe environment to go back to, where he will be protected from others. We are not protected and neither are the children we are supposed to be looking after.

Also, responding to others, I have had to buy so many resources out of my own pocket for my children due to budget cuts. I feel anger towards the government for having to do this, not towards the children. I treat them as they deserved to be. For anyone suggesting otherwise, I think that is more of an indication of how you treat others when you're feeling unfairly treated.

And finally, to the posters saying we don't want your children at school, you're completely right! We care immensely for your children, why would we want them to be potentially emotionally and physically harmed?

The British Medical Council have backed unions and said schools should not reopen. The R has jumped up a little this week, presumably from people flounting lockdown rules 10 days or so ago. We all noticed more people out and about. The R has risen. Schools opening without enough space, washing facilities and PPE we will see it rise again. Did anyone see the way schools gave reopened in China? A child removes his 'out of school's mask, washes his hands, has his back pack sanitised, stands in front of what I presume is a disinfectant steam, has his temperature taken and then goes in. In our schools, we are being told stagger them coming in, try to keep them apart although we expect you not to manage it. Dont wear PPE. If you are going to make comparisons with countries that have far lower infection and death rates than us, why not compare the difference in the level of protection some governments are giving to children compared to the non existent protection our government is giving to our children?

I'm not a member of one of the traditional teaching unions. My union doesn't engage in politics so I have no obligation to tow a party line. I agree that most teachers wouldn't give a thought to social distancing if a child needed medical attention. Most of us wouldn't give a thought if a child was crying and needed to be comforted. Even with my Yr 11's, I'd still sit next to them and give a pat on the shoulder.

Most of us want to go back. I just want it to be safe for all. It isnt selfish to want that.

Not a teacher but the Daily Mail headline yesterday made me want to punch a journalist on your behalf. Wankers! I feel so sorry for the Heads who've had this dumped in their lap and have to manage this enormous responsibility with bog-all budget and bog-all support from Central Government. Are they even upping the cleaning budget for schools?

My child is in year 1. He's an only child and desperately missing other kids. Despite this we're probably not sending him back.

What kind of parent wants to send their children somewhere unsafe

Where is the proof that it is unsafe? Do you not think parents are capable of risk assessing for their own child? Perhaps 'the kind of parent' who wants to send their child back is the kind of parent who has been watching their child's mental health decline rapidly or who knows that twinkl worksheets, with no teaching, are doing absolutely nothing for their childs' education? Or perhaps they are the 'type of parent' who does not get full pay to stay at home so needs to return to work to put food on the table? Ridiculous comment.

I didn't want to go in when it was announced we'd still open for key workers. It didn't stop me from being the normal teacher or the kids being the normal kids they are. I for one think it's utterly unfair we have to go in!

I know, right? Fancy having to help out your community during a national emergency so that workers can be facilitated to keep society going. Whilst receiving your full pay from the government. Outrageous!

Can teachers really not see that some of what you perceive as 'teacher bashing' is actually upset parents reacting to comments such as these?

Do you not think parents are capable of risk assessing for their own child?

How can they risk assess if they don’t know the full facts? Even Vicky Ford MP could not say ‘what science’ they were following when they made the decision and schools are getting the blame for trying to state the facts as they currently are.

Can teachers really not see that some of what you perceive as 'teacher bashing' is actually upset parents reacting to comments such as these?
It’s not the teachers starting the threads like this one.

Are they even upping the cleaning budget for schools?

No believe it or not
The guidance specifically says to use what provision we have in the existing budget but they do helpfully state that phoning the cleaning provider might be useful....

I've seen pictures of how our school has had to set up the learning environment to be safe and follow the guidelines.

It looks utterly miserable. Devoid of colour, toys, contact. Tiny tables for them to sit at all day, apart. All the books put away. It reminded me of all the Romanian orphanages they used to splash across the television when I was small. I won't be sending my child into that environment even though I know the teachers there will do their absolute best at all times. It's miserable.

Can teachers really not see that some of what you perceive as 'teacher bashing' is actually upset parents reacting to comments such as these?
I think a little bit of self restraint from both sides will go a long way in finding some sort of a middle ground solution. I am amazed at people calling teachers lazy and entitled and likewise am quite set aback by some teachers' attitude about "people not wanting to parent their children". A couple of weeks ago, during the regular call with one of my children's teachers she cheerily advised me to find a couple of hours each day for myself and my hobbies, for mental wellbeing. She knows that I am a single parent working full time. I was polite on the phone, but oh it did touch a nerve, even if the intention behind the comment was good. I can see how the goodwill from both sides can quickly erode in the current situation.

Perhaps 'the kind of parent' who wants to send their child back is the kind of parent who has been watching their child's mental health decline rapidly or who knows that twinkl worksheets, with no teaching, are doing absolutely nothing for their childs' education

The thing is though, from everything I've seen in regards to how schools will manage this, there will be no formal teaching going on so no return to the curriculum which means no difference to what kids are receiving now in terms of education.

And with the strict rules that will need to be in place I believe that will be more detrimental for the mental health of many children. They won't be able to receive comfort from their teacher, play as they did with their friends and will be potentially be kept locked in one room with set toilet breaks all day. They'll all be sat apart doing the same worksheets those still at home will be doing. Can you imagine the stress and anxiety they'll all be feeling? Most of them too young to really understand what's expected of them.

Also, the teaching unions plus how their motives are portrayed by the right wing press don't do the profession any favours in terms of the public image.
The right wing press go after any unionised profession. It suits their agenda to try divide and rule. Their aim is to dismantle terms and conditions,and turn public opinion against anyone who stands up for terms and conditions.

It's working too.

How many times on here do we see people asking questions about terms and conditions or a workplace dilemma and half a dozen arseholes turn up telling the OP to suck it up because they know someone who has terrible conditions.

The teaching unions are concerned, rightly, with the workplace safety of their members. Even the children's commissioner said that there needs to be better testing of teachers and measures to make opening schools safe. It's a shame that the media, including BBC, have picked up on the 'stop squabbling' quotation because other things she said made sense.