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 ?

@PrivateD00r your last comment is not true. Teachers arent starting these threads.
How could you possibly 'risk assess' as a parent when the DFE have admitted they haven't and posed some serious questions about whether it is safe?

Have you questioned why the rush to get primary kid back in? All primary kids are supposed to be back in for a month before the summer, even though schools do not have enough space to have 15 per class, or enough handwashing facilities. But Yr10, who have lost 3 months of GCSE only require 'some face to face contact'. No plans to give them a month of rigourous teaching even though the clock is ticking. The logistics of getting them in and giving them all face time with everyone of their teachers is a nightmare. Why arent we being pushed to teach them? Give them a month like the primary aged kids (for the record ' I'm desperate to teach my Yr 10!) Yr 7,8,9 are not going back at all - why? Why don't they need time in front of their teachers? The government guidance makes no sense at all. Those who work as teachers know this - we are questioning it - because your children are the ones at the centre of it and teachers don't want them in the line of fire OR having to disrupt them all over again in two months time.

Chloe, many parents are not as frightened of this virus as many teachers seem to be, so can indeed risk assess. In fact many of us, who are exposed to it daily, have long since realised that life has to resume at some point. As a parent who has been using school for childcare throughout, I used to get upset at all of these sorts of comments. I don't now as I can see it is actually their way of projecting their fear.

BTW, before you misunderstand me, I am not in favour of schools fully reopening at all. I personally would think though that if they don't, schools really are going t have to find a way to offer more than just twinkl worksheets!

@PrivateD00r and we have been doing our bit, being in school looking after children with no protection at all. And we will continue to do so, because we have to.

NHS staff, delivery drivers, bin-men, posties etc have all been applauded and revered
Maybe because the majority have gone on with their job without moaning and coming up with every excuses why they can't do it.

Not all teachers of course but many have done nothing but moan and focus on all the negatives. Little interest in getting involved to look at possible solutions. They don't care, their kids are getting some learning at school.

Again, certainly not all teachers but enough to get that public view. I wonder how many of these have been or had family treated in hospital by healthcare assistants who are much more at risk and earn much less.

@PrivateD00r

Where is the evidence that it is safe? As a parent where do I find this information to make my sensible, informed decision? The BMA say it isn’t safe. Scotland, wales and Northern Island say it isn’t safe. That makes me feel unsafe.

Part of the original statement, was that conditions needed to be met. That R would need to stay low. Yesterday R started creeping up, so Matt Hancock said R isn’t so important anymore. How can I trust that he isn’t just altering the goal posts, to suit the governments needs?

I’m a teacher too, and I’m aware if we open, I’ll be working. I love my job and my class, so I’ll go and I’ll smile all day. My own children however, based on the current information I have, will not be returning to school.

Another thing, Yr 6 gave finished their curriculum. They were finished before schools closed, and into revision for the SATs. Them returning is apparently to give them chance to be inducted to their secondary schools. However, secondary schools have been told not to have Yr 6s in. All of the induction stuff we do is being done using videos. We wont actually see them. So why the rush to get them back and why get them back for the full 5-6 weeks?

@PrivateD00r

Sorry I meant to say. If you can point me towards any solid information, and workable guidelines to help parents feel safe and make an informed choice, please do.

If my children don’t return to school, my husband won’t be earning any money. I’d much prefer for it to be safe.

NHS staff, delivery drivers, bin-men, posties etc have all been applauded and revere

This what Kitty Flanagan has to say about revere. Ignore the Australian content, the contempt for teachers is as true here as in the UK:

Yr six post SATs is meant to be fun. Plays, Leaver's discos, projects. It's hard enough to keep them engaged and behaving well during that time in normal circumstances. Good luck to the poor staff trying to keep them engaged and in the seat they are supposed to stay in.

A good point above. I’ll go back and teach my class, cheerfully. If I had children of school age however, they would not be going in.

I have had a similar letter from our head basically saying don't send your kids. I get it I really do but where does that leave parents. I feel so torn. Dh has stayed at home but he can't wfh so has had to be furloughed due to childcare only. The thing is he can go to work as he is in an office by himself.

I have continued to work throughout, doing home visits to multiple houses a day, in and out meeting different people and being close to many many people all without ppe. There was no ppe available and we just had to get on with it because we cannot just stop doing our job despite the risk.
Children desperately need to be in school, I am seeing first hand the affects of them being at home for this length of time, especially vulnerable children.
My dc could go as a key worker child but who wants to send their child after receiving a letter like that.
So our decision has not been made but it might be that I have to quit my job, a job I have worked hard for, a job that is needed more than ever now.
Teachers what else shall parents do.

I’ve been teaching video classes for the past few weeks and it’s been much harder work than being in school. I’m really looking forward to going back - I love to teach and I miss the students a lot. So I’m not reluctant for that reason. But I am scared about how we will manage social distancing with year 10 and 12 and genuinely just as concerned for the pupils as myself. My school is private and is providing ppe for certain staff (definitely the school nurse but others too) and hopefully providing safe working conditions/ areas / one way system but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t cautious.

I’m in a senior pastoral role too and have been working 11-12 hour days most days including phoning bereaved families as well as all my other usual responsibilities. I’ve even done video link patents evenings, lunch clubs and pastoral meetings as well and 75% of my teaching being live. I am not perfect but reluctant or lazy are 2 things I am not!

I would like to say thank you to the posters who have defended teachers on this and the many other threads . It is really appreciated. I get caught up in defending myself/explaining my pov to those who attack. It is really appreciated when non teachers back us up.

I do agree your kids deserve more homeschooling than one twinkle worksheet per day. That is crap. Im secondary and we are providing way more than that. My dds primary school provide a daily maths and literacy task and then weekly topics tasks. She is supposed to choose from the topics one or two to do. Sometimes she does all 5 topic tasks in addition to her maths and literacy. Sometimes she doesn't do any. Her work is commented on by her teacher and there is no pressure if she has decided not to do the topic tasks. She has spent some time with her dad overhauling the allotment after she had a massive meltdown a few weeks in. We prioritised her mental health and the school were very supportive. We have also been able to connect with her friends on Google Meet which has had a huge impact. As a teacher, I'm not pushing her to be working a full school day. Firstky because it is too tricky to teach her and work full time and secondly because it isnt good for her mental health. She plays outside and has watched a lot of Disney +. I'm not sending her back to school as things stand. I don't feel it is safe - there are too many questions the government refuses to answer. I am hoping by September the R will be lower and we will be in a better position to return.

@metronome1 You should send your children in. You are a keyworker. There is a huge difference between all kids returning to school and increasing the numbers a few key worker children at a time.

What do the flowers mean?

Interesting. I have a lot of teacher friends and family. All of them are posting on social media and in teaching groups and on the phone to me about how they don't want to go back. It's too risky. They are right to be reluctant. Op is getting a hard time here for no reason.

I'm assuming many of the parents who think so little of the school their children attend and the staff in it, they will be making arrangements at the soonest opportunity to move their children to a different school. Surely, when this dreadful situation is all over, this will be their first priority?

@metronome1
I can't speak for all schools, but our school did discourage children being sent in if there was a viable alternative. We're still all doing our absolute best for the ones that are in, and treating them with the usual kindness (probably more than normal because it's such a hard time for so many people). If you do need to send them in, don't assume that teachers will be unpleasant just because they have asked people to keep children off where possible.

@Whatsername177 yes your probably right about them going in as key worker children.

Its a worry all round.
I do see it from teachers and their unions point of view but as a parent and a key worker it's just heartbreaking receiving such letters when you basically have no choice to send them.
Despite agreeing and fully supporting and valuing teachers I do think the letters to parents should not have been worded the way they have.

Just to add my dc teacher has been utterly amazing throughout all this and I almost cried on that last day back in March as I knew dc might not have her again and she has been the best teacher we could have asked for.

Why the English govt is trying to send children back in June I don't know. Why can't they go back for an earlier start to the Autumn term in August.
I'm sure these govt 'safety' rules are just a pile of overblown shit making everyone's life a misery. And dare I say it some teachers love pointless H&S rules.
Heads will be covering their own backs and I don't blame them.

I don't have any firm views about sending my children back to school yet and both their schools have been amazing over the last few weeks but I am confused as to what people think will be different in September? The virus will most likely still be around and we will be heading into flu season so even more pressure on the NHS than at this time of year. Do we genuinely think that schools will be wanting them back in September? I don't I think it will then be a case of waiting until after the flu season.