Disappointed secondary schools are reopening

[wovengrass]

I'm hoping for a sensible exchange of ideas on this.
I understand the importance of children missing out on learning, but I can't help but feel that a full reopening of all secondary schools in the UK at the same time is madness.
I strongly feel that it would have been better to spend time/money on making home learning a realistic and standardised solution, as well as putting plans in place for the children that need further support. That way if any future outbreaks happen we aren't just hoping for the best and blindly following this idea that "schools must be the last place to close no matter what."

I also can't get my head around the logistics, locally. The local secondary that my nephew attends (there are several large ones near to me) has over 1000 students, many rely on public transport to get there. With reduced space on transport due to social distancing, I wonder how children will actually all make it to school on time? Many schools are also not allowing children who are late to enter, to avoid the crossing of year group bubbles.

Throw also into the mix that many adult will be relying on the same transport to return to work. I'm genuinely wondering how on earth it is realistic?

I think primary and nursery schools are a different thing entirely, and obviously childcare is a factor then also. But putting 1000 teenagers/young adults + teacher staff into a building with no masks and no country-wide home learning plan if things go wrong, seems absolutely nuts to me.

Just wondering what others think about this?

[Bananabread8]

@cardibach I think you have made valid points. I’m in no way against what you have suggested. September is looming and I do think it would be better if we all adjust to the actual reality unless there’s going to be some last minute guidelines released? We can dream.

[cardibach]

I think we’ve all just got used to letting the government get away with useless shit @Bananabread8 It shouldn’t be a dream that they think of some answers. It’s the same in the devolved nations too (I’m in Wales) and it’s very disappointing they are just following Westminster on this one (though I can see it would be politically difficult not to).

[Bananabread8]

@cardibach I think some people are over stressed about it I don’t like to read that on MN. What is the point? If schools close well teachers may be heard yes it shouldn’t be this way however it is. It’s a complete joke like the exam results.... now they are saying the school leavers can re sit... I should think so!

If teachers all isolate which they are entitled to do the government definitely will soon think up plan B. Social distancing within a school is a long shot. My primary school has 3 sets of year groups so 30 x 3 groups of kids. I don’t know how they would manage this on a full time school rota.

[WhenSheWasBad]

If teachers all isolate which they are entitled to do

Do you mean “isolate as they are required to do”

No one wants to go into isolation. It’s loads easier delivering lessons in class than it is online. Most teachers have hated teaching from home.

[Vivalasjohnnyvegas]

I just got an email from my 2ndary school outlining what they are doing to facilitate reopening in Sept. It is 8-pages long. Apparently another to follow next week.

Looks like it is game on.

[Bananabread8]

@WhenSheWasBad

If teachers all isolate which they are entitled to do

Do you mean “isolate as they are required to do”

No one wants to go into isolation. It’s loads easier delivering lessons in class than it is online. Most teachers have hated teaching from home.

Yes that’s what I meant. I know I’d much rather my child be taught in an actual class room too.

[FrippEnos]

Delatron
So many ‘what ifs?’

Yet you were whinging about others not understanding risk assessments earlier.

This just shows that you don't understand them.

[derxa]

Op You don't have children in school. Are you a teacher?
There aren't enough teachers to cope with all eventualities. Disadvantaged children will still not be able access your pie in the sky ideas.

[Fr0thandBubble]

YABU. I cannot begin to tell you how strongly I disagree with you. Shutting schools is ruining children's lives and futures.

[meditrina]

Shutting schools is ruining children's lives and futures

Which is why it is so very important they that are opened safely and sustainably, and that there are good contingency plans for burst bubbles, local lockdowns and wider lockdowns.

[cardibach]

I don’t know how they would manage this on a full time school rota
They can’t, @Bananabread8
That’s kind of the point.
Any opening which makes it likely schools can stay open involves a blended model.

[Devlesko]

Well according to many it's the women who will be made redundant so they'll be fine teaching their kids at home if the school closes. Parents managed during lockdown whilst working, they'll have no problem when redundant.

[monkeytennis97]

@Fr0thandBubble

YABU. I cannot begin to tell you how strongly I disagree with you. Shutting schools is ruining children's lives and futures.

And opening them again fully with superficial ineffective 'safety procedures' will soon see them close and community transmission rise. There should be blended learning for secondary (can't talk about primary as I don't know their bullshit 'guidance'.

[ineedaholidaynow]

@monkeytennis97 the guidance is pretty much the same the size of the bubbles is probably the main difference

[reluctantbrit]

@Devlesko

Well according to many it's the women who will be made redundant so they'll be fine teaching their kids at home if the school closes. Parents managed during lockdown whilst working, they'll have no problem when redundant.

Really? How many parentes, especially mothers, had issues as they couldn't work their usual full hours because they had to teach their children? How many had already been told that they will paid reduced hours? How many are now back at work as they work in hospitality, hairdresser, retail, office work where they deal with public in person?

I am sure all employer will happily let parents go back with full pay and continue teaching.

I am all in favour of finding a solution but there just is nothing on short notice. On long term in the ideal world we would have double the amount of schools so we have smaller classes, more space for children to be split in smaller groups and better to social distance. More IT equipment for all children to work on and a fantastic home learning platform.

Dream on, especially with any Tory government.

DD's school already said that they won't use workbooks anymore, children have to use folders for each subject and all work has to be submitted electronically unless not possible like Arts, D & T etc.

They will arrange a laptop purchase scheme, highly subsidised for FSM children. We will have to purchase text books, again, free for FSM, all these subsidies will come out of the usual, already tiny, budget so I worry what on earth the school is not able to purchase they would purchase normally.

DD will also have to bring antibacterial wipes to wipe down her desk and all equipment she has to use which is not her own.

[Swelteringmeltering]

I not only feel visors should be made compulsory, not only for the small amount of aerosol they will catch from cough and sneezes, I just think it will remind everyone,
'' don't relax, we are in a pandemic situation still '
Because it's so easy to forget...

[itsgettingweird]

@Fr0thandBubble

YABU. I cannot begin to tell you how strongly I disagree with you. Shutting schools is ruining children's lives and futures.

Exactly.

Hence why we have a whole thread of people discussing what ways we can improve it, keeps them open and the idea of a national plan B that disadvantages no student based on location or social economic system.

But I guess reading the thread would have been too difficult.

I hope if th etchings our students learn whilst schools remain open in the most important exam technique - read everything and work out the context before you answer

[herecomesthsun]

@Literallynoidea

Also, many families who have been shielding are also not keen on going back to school given the arrangements proposed. Why? might give you literally some idea.

[genie82]

The difference in what schools provide as home learning, particularly Primary Schools, and the expectations of completing it by students, is staggering. There should be a national, government led, policy of what, how and when to send home learning to ensure consistency and fairness. However, in the end, schools are a place where children can learn regardless and in some cases, in spite of their home backgrounds. Home learning shines the spotlight on disadvantaged children and the vast difference in their access to digital technology. There is no easy answer and what is right for one school, will probably not be right for another.

[PinkiOcelot]

YABVU. They need to be in school. COVID isn’t going anywhere. We’re going to have to live with it.

[EmotionalSupportBear]

ZOMBIE THREAD FROM AUGUST LAST YEAR

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

Schools need to open, children’s education is massively being impacted for the worse as is their mental health.

Covid isn’t going anywhere we just need to adapt to live with it as we do with other virus.