Anyone got ideas on HOW secondary schools can go back full time in Sept?

[Fizzysours]

I am a teacher and I want schools back now. Many of my pupils are getting really low and lonely and about 40% are not managing the work we set. I just don't get how full time will work in Sept though because....
-with one metre distancing we can fit 20, not 30 in a class
-kids will have to sit at one desk all day, to reduce transmission on objects, teachers would rotate
-so if we 'set' the class for english, the setting will be totally wrong for maths, and vice versa, so what level do we teach them? They won't get good appropriate work, but a 'one size for all'- shockingly hard for them
-what about their options? Half of each bubble doing geography, half history etc.....
-how do they get lunch? We can only stagger it so much, with rotating teachers.
Anyone else thinking this is just going to be so hard? Do we give in and have school as normal, with the really high infection risks? If it's as above, these kids cannot be expected to perform at GCSE.

Have I missed some really simple solution? It just seems impossible. But they must come back. Home is just so hard for them.

@Aragog I agree. Lower grade boundaries...yes...but what about all the learning they have missed...how will the GCSE kids cope with A level and the A level kids, with degrees? A friend predicted back in March that kids would repeat their year. I scoffed, but I am starting to feel that has advantages

Repeating the year is logistically impossible unless you permanently change the school ages from 5 to 19. Repeating a year would mean this years age 4 starting cohort would be postponed. There would just be a constant knock on effect. No school system can just manage double the amount of kids in reception. Schools are struggling for staff and space as it is.

The HT here has mooted that kids might need to stay in the same classroom for the whole day. Perhaps doing a weeks worth of lessons in that subject.

He thinks it's a terrible idea because the kids will get bored and information won't have time to sink in before moving onto the next bit, but because of setting it just won't work keeping kids in just one room, plus for practical lessons it won't work either.

A lot will depend on how much cleaning can be done each day.

It's stupid here as the new high school building was built in the playground. The old high school buildings, which was used until lockdown as the change was meant to be happen at Easter, is still there. It would give a lot of space and could allow much easier movement, but the la are adamant it's beind demolished in the summer holidays.

Apparently the demolition date is unchangeable - even though it's over 18 months behind schedule. Absolutely stupid.

@squidgebum yup 😒😒 plus we would be left with a year of no graduates down the line. The whole thing is like an impossible puzzle with no solution

@lyralalala yep...many drawbacks in terms of boredom but atleast it would get around the setting and options problems

[quote Fizzysours]@lyralalala yep...many drawbacks in terms of boredom but atleast it would get around the setting and options problems[/quote]
He said the only other way round it, if bubbles are needed, would be to only offer core classes and to be much more general in teaching.

Which would be a nightmare because none of the kids would be getting what they need as some would struggle and some wouldn't be pushed to potential.

Protect teachers with visors, full classes in except shielding.

@lyralalala oh jeez. The thought of supporting kid a, with maths phobia, for whom a 4 is cause for celebration, getting them onto their preferred KS5 vocational course...alongside child b, who wants to end up on a maths degree, who will be heartbroken with a grade 7, and who needs to debate killer questions with their teacher ...both will be dreadfully let down without proper setting :(

@MasterGland show me the published evidence to state that Covid is primarily spread via surface not aerosols? I can’t find any to this end? Random websites don’t count. Happy to read it.

And I also understand viruses. Having a PhD in the field helps.

The hand washing is propaganda from the U.K. gov to hide the aerosol risk. Look at every where else in the world. Masks, face shields. Here wash your hands and fucking sing.

Who ended up being one of the worst off places in the world.....

@Mintychoc1 are you happy to catagorically state that I will be fine in a school with no SD? Assuming it remains everywhere else how can you justify this?

Our secondary school has children from year 7 up to sixth form. Most use designated school buses provided by First Bus. They are always overfull, and many standing room only. A lot of children travel from 3/4 miles away. The alternative is using public buses - long journey times and not enough capacity due to a lot of seats being taped off for social distancing . Or parents bring them which will cause a huge volume of traffic. Add in the other two secondary schools which next to our school too !

Davincitoad would you feel ok with a visor?

We just take a risk in September and put up with it. Children won't die. Most teachers will be fine. that is the answer.

I thought The WHO advocated washing hands/gel to protect you and others from the virus?

Yes I’d be happy with no social distancing in school, now and in September.

@Davincitoad Tell is what you would be ok with? What would your solution be if it was all down to you and you could choose any scenario? (Not being snippy, genuinely interested in what teachers are expecting and whether it matches with possibility)

@Davincitoad I did not say that the prime mode of transmission is via surface contact. I acknowledged that transmission is via droplet and surface contact. As you well know, having a PhD in virology/epidemiology then, no research has ever been able to elucidate the percentage split of viral transmission in this way. As mentioned earlier, however, there has been research that points to a significant reduction in transmission with increased handwashing measures. The handwashing is also not a "UK thing" but is also the prime method of transmission reduction suggested by the WHO.

@Davincitoad do you think teachers should have visors? I feel like maybe we should...we really can't stand at the front to teach...we have to wander about to review kids' work

Question for @mastergland too....

One of the Y10s In my bubble made my cry this week. On the second day she said to me: ‘I’m sorry I was so quiet yesterday. I was completely overwhelmed to be around people my own age again’. Heartbreaking.

The exam boards are already putting in procedures for next year. I attended an online exam meeting last month. There were clear adjustments to the aspects l teach.

Who knows about September? Boris talks shite and makes it up as he goes along, He is reactive rather than proactive. That’s why no one knows. He’ll adjust his science accordingly to what he wants. After the public have shown their approval or disapproval. That’s how he seems to work

@Fizzysours If a teacher wants to wear a visor, I think that is their choice and they should not be prevented from doing so. I will not be wearing a visor as long as they remain in short supply, as I feel someone working on a corona ward (where everyone definitely has corona and therefore the viral loads being transmitted are high) should have them. Chances of even one kid having corona in a class of 30 are small, chances of me (even with asthma) developing serious complications from any transmission that may occur....also small.

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince do you know when this will be announced to schools/the public?

Aaaarggggh!!!!I can’t really say, but l know there is stuff being put in place...

Fizzysours you won't be able to make up your own rules about walking about the classroom if social distancing is in place. You would need to stay at the front. (Unless you are in a mega room with 2m available to walk around in).