To think the idea that schools won’t be back full time by September is an absolute disgrace?

[LovingLivingInLockdown]

The government and teaching unions need to pull their fingers out. There should be no excuses.

The effects of 6 months out of school is going to be damaging enough, both educationally and mentally for hundreds of thousands of children. Not to mention the unnoticed abuse and neglect.

Teachers should be wearing PPE with spit screens if they are vulnerable and this should be being organised now. Temporary classrooms should be being built in playgrounds and school fields. Random testing routines in all schools should be being devised as well as guidelines regarding children’s contact with others outside of school and home. Whatever it takes, it must be done.

Our society expects parents to work while their DC are at school and if they want to get the economy moving again, schools being back by September should be non negotiable surely?

Whose head do you see rolling Pigeon?

@YoureAllABunchOfBastards

*Some children have been attending a school the whole way through. Also children have parents on the front line.

I don’t mean to sound harsh but is it really that bad? What is the solution because we can not hibernate indoors forever.*

Those children who have been attending have been socially distancing and we have put increased cleaning rota etc in place. We are doing the same for the return of Y10 students. It is possible.

However, it isn't possible if you want all 1000 kids back at the same time in a building with capacity for around 700.

Absolutely it’s not possible. Weather they decide to do it in November or September it’s the same dilemma. SD in schools will have to be scrapped!

pigeon999
We will see many heads roll if there is not a full reopening in September, for sure.

who is "We" and how will you make this happen?

And whose "heads" will roll?

My school is going brilliantly. My yr6 DD is engaged and works independently every day.

My yr3 8 yr old DS on the other hand will not engage without a lot of supervision and hand holding, as I'd expect to be honest. Sadly me and DH are working from home full time so the poor kid spends hours every day on fortnite or watching films. Don't think he's read a book in weeks.

So I'm not teacher bashing but dear god the schools have to reopen. It's all very well bleating on About blended learning and the parents need to help but I physically cannot help and pay my mortgage (ie do my job). There's no fucking making memories and baking here!!

@MrsArchchancellorRidcully hahahahaha I totally agree!

I think that it is going to be increasingly unreasonable for teachers who are not shielding or living with shielded persons not to go back full time in September.

We don’t have any staff who are refusing to come in (who aren’t shielding/living with shielders) if that’s what you are implying? I don’t know of any schools that do.

@LakieLady

I have read...that PPE would frighten some children

Most of the teachers I had at school would have been less scarey with a mask, not more!

😂

Pigeon

Beijing schools have just closed down again due to a spike in cases. These are not normal times and the behaviour of so many people; queuing for shops, heading to crowded beaches, may well bring a second spike here too. We need to proceed with caution, not just throw teachers and pupils back together in schools and cross our fingers.

There seems to be a huge disparity in calculated risks here.
DH has just been told that if he wishes to enter his work place (at a University), he needs to make an appointment for when no one else is in the building at all, even on the floor above/below and be in and out within a set time, meeting no other person at all.
How come that is perceived the only safe way for University staff, but at schools, fuck it, everyone in together and scrap Social Distancing for those weedy teachers who need sacking if they're cautious.

There will be plenty of time to see if a second spike comes, no evidence of it so far and mid may beaches etc heaving! Let's wait and see and if there isn't schools should be open like the rest of the workplaces.

@whizzbangfizz the modelling my work are using predicts a second spike in the autumn

schools should be open like the rest of the workplaces.
What, like the University campus I just quoted?

Also curious to know whose "heads are going to roll" if schools don't fully reopen in September.

Also curious to know whose "heads are going to roll" if schools don't fully reopen in September.

Realistically no one’s, except children will lag, issues will mount economically and educationally. Depending on how much school is accessible. Part time better than no in school hours now for many.

There seems to be a huge disparity in calculated risks here.
DH has just been told that if he wishes to enter his work place (at a University), he needs to make an appointment for when no one else is in the building at all, even on the floor above/below and be in and out within a set time, meeting no other person at all.
How come that is perceived the only safe way for University staff, but at schools, fuck it, everyone in together and scrap Social Distancing for those weedy teachers who need sacking if they're cautious.

Absolutely. There also seems to be a sense of 'heroism' around taking risk. Many of the posters shouting for scrapping of any safety measures are probably able to work from home for their own safety.

Plus, the decision has already been taken by the University for no face-to-face contact apart from very small seminar groups for September.

Wonder if anyone will be calling for "heads to roll" there?

There are weekly stats out on the numbers of new infections in schools. 9 "outbreaks" this week and the last. Each "outbreak" is at least 2 positive cases. It will be interesting to see what happens to the numbers between now and the end of term. There were also another 5 outbreaks this week yet to confirm a positive test.

For context there were 31 similar outbreaks in hospitals, 2 in prisons for same week. So the schools do need quite a bit of wriggle room for infections.

www.gov.uk/government/news/weekly-covid-19-surveillance-report-published

You know, the other thing people forget about insisting we just fling the doors open to schools with no social distancing and no ppe is that kids (as happens) will get sick and spread germs. I'm not talking about Covid necessary but colds/ coughs, and with no other safety measures to fall back on you can bet your life that they won't be allowed into school with ANY sign of cough/ cold. I can imagine the mumsnet posts already : 'AIBU for wanting teachers heads to roll for sending my child home for the THIRD time this month'

Hopefully Boris' head will roll. It's high time!!

I don't think schools should be physically back full time. But they do need to teach and that means they need to all gear up (as the universities are) or a different model of working for next year so that all children can progress their education properly. At the minute lots of Children aren't being taught at all.

We should be planning for the "reasonable worst case scenario" of a second severe lockdown in the autumn where only keyworker children can go to school

@Twinklelittlestar1 I agree. Every time a child has a cough or hayfever etc they might be missing school. My sisters baby was teething badly but his temperature meant his older brothers missed nearly a week of school while waiting for the test result. Understandable. But it means physically reopening schools isn't the key to ensuring children are educated right now. There has to be a plan that enables largely remote teaching for the next 6 months or more.

Totally agree

Sadly me and DH are working from home full time so the poor kid spends hours every day on fortnite or watching films. Don't think he's read a book in weeks.

So you aren't teaching your child?

This is the new if you can't be bothered to educate them, don't bother having them.
The poor who can't afford their kids according to many on here, and shouldn't have them, are educating them as their duty as parents .