Victorian era schools probably have bigger classrooms
Not here. Many many years ago the larger rooms were divided and also had false ceilings put in to allow for the smaller classes (when they went from 40s+ to 30) so they are now smaller and very much inflexible in terms of creating new space. The rooms aren't really big enough for 30 pupils normally. It's a tight fit as it is and there's little flexibility for rearranging furniture.
We have no school field.
We have a concrete yard on a slope.
We already have two 'temporary' classrooms on the only flat bits of the yard - they've been used for decades, the renewal of the temp cabins only done in last few years due to asbestos.
I will return when the Government and scientists tell me to not when MNeteers tell me it's safe. If it's not safe enough to drop
SD in society then it's not safe enough to do so in a school. The smaller bubbles reduce the risk for pupil, staff and families.
I'd love to know where all the MNetters have gained their scientific understanding and expertise which makes them know better than most scientists and governments around the world.
Our school is currently full to capacity, under the new guidelines, with KW and vulnerable children. We cannot even take back the other eligible years.
It's purely a matter of space.. 9 classes. 9 classrooms.
We have no additional rooms that are useable as classrooms. The computer room could be made to me but would need more extensive cleaning that any other and would mean a lot of work. It's also smaller so less pupils can fit. But with some time and money it could be made useable. The only is also a walkway, the sports hall, the dining hall etc which is useful at present to allow classes some space to run around in and do or on these rainy days. We have no other rooms.
The only way we can accept every child back is to ignore the guidelines and ignore all social distancing for pupils and adults.
If you really think infant school children lessons would work fine with teachers wearing ppe and behind screens you've obviously never been anywhere near a classroom before.
I believe we will be back almost normally be September. I think the government will have decided there is no risk especially in schools (whether the scientific evidence says so or not) and we will be back with 30 per class, no social distancing, no bubbles, and missing at playtimes and lunch.
Schools in China have started to return now with no SD and PPE. They were away for 20 weeks, though less holidays (think they missed 18 weeks of school iirr.) That time takes us to sometime in August here. Our schools have currently missed 9 weeks and have another 5 to go before summer, so 14 weeks plus holidays.
In England children can now socialise. Because the numbers for groups in 6 this means that parents can arrange play dates even for younger children. But parents need to be involved to supervise and arrange them. I know of few children in my real life now who aren't socialising, bar the extremely vulnerable and they wouldn't be in school either.
What parents actually need to fight for is not schools reopening right now particularly. It's childcare over the summer months particularly. Suitable childcare which is affordable and in large enough numbers in order to allow parents to work.