To sod SD as when I return to teaching in Sept it isn’t possible?

[motherrunner]

I’m a secondary school teacher. Despite all the ‘guidance’ my desk will be less than 1m from the classes I teach (Yr 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13). I will not be wearing protection as the guidance tells me my workplace in ‘Covid secure’. Come Sept I will have one 20 minute break a day as I am required to do a pre-school duty, a morning break duty, a lunch duty and an after school duty it’s every day. I can wash my hands once a day in those times. 5 times a day a class of 30 will be breathing at me.

Up until now I have followed the ‘rules’ religiously. I haven’t seen my mum (who is in a nursing home) since early March. I have turned down play dates for my children.

AIBU to think sod the SD and enjoy myself for the rest of the summer break? I was hoping for a sliver of hope from the dfe today with the promised revised guidance that hasn’t materialised. Come Sept I’ll be faced with over 200+ over 11s in close, unventilated spaces in 3 week so shall I just sod it?

[motherrunner]

It’s true, I’m not actually going to go against SD rules because I am community minded. Today has been a bit of a breaking point. I have been holding it (almost together) teaching live to timetable whilst my children has been a home (& have ignored them). Particular low points was when my son had a sensory melt down and when I had to do live parents evenings and shouted to my children from the next room ‘you can now eat your tea’ that I packed them from a lunch box.

After reading today’s news that over 11s do transmit the virus as adults do (but has been glossed over by the Gov and media) and expecting a DFE promised update (that hasn’t happened), I lost my temper.

Yes posting the OP was facetious, I’ve had enough of the teacher bashing over the last few months. When I was breaking point I reached out for help on MN and was told that going off with stress was an easy way out and I was a coward (exact words).

DH asked me earlier if I wanted to go out for a meal. I said no in disbelief. I don’t want to be in a pub with what I’ve read in the news, but then I thought ‘why shouldn’t I? I’ll be in closer proximity with 30 pupils (adults) in 3 weeks.’

[Tunnocks34]

I’ll be honest, I’ve taught for 7 years and I’ve always managed to eat my lunch, drink a hot brew and to use the bathroom several times a day!

I’ve got sanitizer for September, anti bacterial wipes and my own wipe board pens (I’m going from room to room not the kids coming to us)

[lifeafter50]

Well I must admit I leave my secondary school classes to go for a wee... always have always will! Obviously there are a few class exceptions
In my school it is absolutely not allowed to leave a class on a classroom without supervision for obvious safeguarding reasons - amazed your school allows it. If anything happened in your absence you would be responsible.

[motherrunner]

And in response to all the breaks, no we don’t get paid for breaks but it’s taken out of the 1265 hours extra assigned hours we need to complete over an academic year so both NEU and NASUWT reps in my school agrees to it.

[spanieleyes]

Because there's no other option. Previously you would have all the school at break at the same time, we had 2 teachers and 2 TAs on duty for the whole school so break duty would be once a week. But now each class has to have break at a different time as they can't mix. That means the teacher has to remain with the class and so is break duty every day. Similarly, lunchtime is now in the class rather than the hall so each class needs a member of staff with them at all times. There aren't enough lunchtime supervisors so teachers have to cover.

[HateIsNotGood]

Well if you keep up with your SD and CV19 appropriate actions like the majority of us do, hopefully in a month's time we'll just have local lockdowns as required. Which may or may not spike in your own area OP.

I'm not sure what else I can suggest to entice you back to work. All I know is there's lots and lots of little, middling and bigger kids that really need to get back to school.

Imagine your own childhood in this circumstance.

[OverTheRainbow88]

@lifeafter50

Ours go into the room and wait for us other wise the corridors get blocked! So if I’m coming back from 6th form teaching I’ll be about 10 min late so they wait in the room
On their own... they’ve all survived so far

[Iamnotthe1]

@HateIsNotGood

Well if you keep up with your SD and CV19 appropriate actions like the majority of us do, hopefully in a month's time we'll just have local lockdowns as required. Which may or may not spike in your own area OP.

I'm not sure what else I can suggest to entice you back to work. All I know is there's lots and lots of little, middling and bigger kids that really need to get back to school.

Imagine your own childhood in this circumstance.

No-one is saying don't go back. Everyone I know is desperate to be back - we actually had all year groups back at the end of the last academic year, just part time. All that is being asked is that we come back safely, in a way that isn't risking children and staff and that doesn't mean that schools will end up having to close again when there are too many ill or isolating staff to keep every class open.

[Natalie654321]

I am feeling the same :( I will be in my final trimester when we return back to school, not looking forward to being in a room with 150 different secondary school students every day :(

[MarshaBradyo]

Op yes go out for dinner with your Dh

Not completely overthrow everything as it will be the classes that get it if you do

But it’s important to do stuff like lunch etc out to get more on an even keel

[HateIsNotGood]

I've got that loud and clear Iam - as each school is different in so many ways - architectural, demograhics, size, etc - the best way is for each school to work out how they can safely do this.

Each school adapts in a way that works for them and not entirely rely on some blanket guidance issued from above. There's a month (in England) for each individual school to work this out and make it happen, very possibly with community support to make it so.

[SaltyAndFresh]

I'm with you. I'm not martyring myself and my family for a society that doesn't give enough of a shit about us to insist that were allowed to work safely. If I become ill I'll be off until I'm better, simple as that.

And I'm not a workshy, lazy teacher. I just want protection equivalent to that of other workers (and yes I know lots of people have been working in public facing roles - WITH PROTECTION - as have I, incidentally).

[CallmeAngelina]

@Somethingsnappy

I can definitely understand how you feel OP, but just to offer another perspective...... My child's class teacher lives opposite my house and all through lockdown I saw a lot of different people (sometimes groups) going into her house. I didn't mention it to anyone, but it definitely influenced my decision as to whether to send dd back to school when it reopened (I didn't). I lost confidence to know that her teacher hadn't been following the rules.

And what about all the other people in the school (and wider community) that your dd would/will meet who will have undoubtedly been mixing with who-knows-who?

Or is it only her class teacher that you have an issue with?

[Letsleepingdogslie8]

I’m yet to hear my school’s plan for return but I’m dreading it. I already cope with the inability to pee whenever needed by severely limiting my fluid intake - my bladder of steel is no more since having children. My skin is shocking as a result and I often get the shakes. I always have an ironic chuckle when reminding the children to drink during PE.

[CallmeAngelina]

@Boogiewoogiebugleboy

Are you sure you aren’t just looking for a reaction here? You’ve posted in AIBU and described your own post yourself ( in the staff room) as being somewhat “facetious” as though perhaps a little goady. I do actually feel sorry for you all. It’s shit. Really though - just do what you need to to get through it as safely as possible.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Or is it OK for everyone else to post for reactions (assuming that's the case here), but not teachers?

[CallmeAngelina]

@Stripesgalore

PGCE applications are up massively this year as there are so few jobs available for graduates.

Yeah, and let's see how long they last, if that's their motivation for applying.
Retention rates for NQTs in the first few years are appalling, and that's for teachers who thought it was their life's passion.
It's not all 'home at 3.30 and long holidays,' you know.

[Appuskidu]

@motherrunner

It’s true, I’m not actually going to go against SD rules because I am community minded. Today has been a bit of a breaking point. I have been holding it (almost together) teaching live to timetable whilst my children has been a home (& have ignored them). Particular low points was when my son had a sensory melt down and when I had to do live parents evenings and shouted to my children from the next room ‘you can now eat your tea’ that I packed them from a lunch box.

After reading today’s news that over 11s do transmit the virus as adults do (but has been glossed over by the Gov and media) and expecting a DFE promised update (that hasn’t happened), I lost my temper.

Yes posting the OP was facetious, I’ve had enough of the teacher bashing over the last few months. When I was breaking point I reached out for help on MN and was told that going off with stress was an easy way out and I was a coward (exact words).

DH asked me earlier if I wanted to go out for a meal. I said no in disbelief. I don’t want to be in a pub with what I’ve read in the news, but then I thought ‘why shouldn’t I? I’ll be in closer proximity with 30 pupils (adults) in 3 weeks.’

It’s properly shit, and listening to people who are retired (MIL, I’m looking at you), will work from home indefinitely (BIL), have had huge changes in their workplace to mitigate risk (dentist, GP, vet, nurse, shop worker, SIL’s nail technician, pharmacy etc etc) telling me it’s fine, I have nothing to be concerned about and that it’s been proven children don’t spread it, is bloody annoying.

[1busybee]

That sounds really tough OP but I would take hand sanitiser and use as often as you feel necessary. I would also buy a face guard so that you feel more secure. I couldn’t possibly imagine your school is covid secure. Covid exempt sounds more fitting. Make sure you do your seating plan so that you put the most hygienic kid closest to you!! I would definitely have a chat with the nursing home and explain your situation. Good luck

[Iamnotthe1]

@HateIsNotGood

I've got that loud and clear Iam - as each school is different in so many ways - architectural, demograhics, size, etc - the best way is for each school to work out how they can safely do this.

Each school adapts in a way that works for them and not entirely rely on some blanket guidance issued from above. There's a month (in England) for each individual school to work this out and make it happen, very possibly with community support to make it so.

But you cannot expect school leaders to do that when they have had their hands tied by the Government.

Social distancing - not an option as entire classes must be back and with their teacher.
PPE - not an option as schools have been specifically told not to apply these measures for staff and have no power to ask students to use anything.
Enhanced cleaning and the resourcing of products - all cleaning, sanitiser, etc. must come out of existing budgets. Schools will not be provided with any additional funding to do this unless they have a proven outbreak, at which point it's too late.

School leaders don't have a month to get this sorted: they have already been working on it for months and months and are telling you that the Government guidance does not make it safe. There needs to be new guidance from the DfE that brings all secondary schools and Year Six primary classes inline with all other workplaces given that the evidence has shown that children aged ten and over transmit the virus like adults do.

[Noextremes2017]

Are other European countries getting their kids back to school ok?

[Somethingsnappy]

CallMeAngelina....no, not the only person I 'have an issue with'. But the only person to have helped guide my decision based on actual evidence.

[CallmeAngelina]

Yeah, well you are exactly the reason I would NEVER live anywhere near the school I work in.
Imagine having your every movement spied on by a parent/neighbour!

[SaltyAndFresh]

@HateIsNotGood, stop being a dick. Teachers don't need enticing back to work. We want to do our jobs with some regard for our health.

Yes posting the OP was facetious, I’ve had enough of the teacher bashing over the last few months. When I was breaking point I reached out for help on MN and was told that going off with stress was an easy way out and I was a coward (exact words).

@motherrunner I'm not long returned to MN after deleting my previous account due to the teacher bashing, at a time when I wasn't in a position to shrug it off. Mumsnet is one of the most appalling places for it, and MNHQ couldn't give a shiny shit. I couldn't give a damn what anyone thinks of me now; in fact I'm actively relishing the benefits the public hate us for.

That said, there have been some supportive posts from non-teachers, so thank you.

The picture is from the government's guidance, stating we don't need PPE.

[nanbread]

OP it sounds really crap.

Firstly I would definitely arrange playdates personally, ideally with children who are going to be in their school "bubble" in a few weeks. Don't see the difference between them playing now than in a few weeks, and you could go to a park and try to stop them touching each other, sharing food, etc while still allowing them to play.

You can go to a park and let your kids clamber all over requirement other children you don't know have touched after all, and I don't know how old your children are but in Wales and Scotland children under 11 aren't asked to social distance. If they're older than that they should be able to social distance with their friends.

Secondly I would somehow let drop the news to "persuasive" parents that you're expected to work with only one break to wash your hands, expected to cover all these extra breaks etc and the impact that will have on your ability to teach to the usual standard, in the hope they will kick up a fuss...

[Serin]

Appuskido
Are you for real?
Nurses have suffered more than anyone through this.
I dont know many teachers who have died from this, thankfully.
I do know 3 nurses though.
Dont make it about them and us.