To be really angry on behalf of teachers

[Jessicabrassica]

I know mumsnet loves a bit of teacher bashing.
I'm really angry that once again the Department for Education has put out guidance for schools in a Friday night before a long weekend with some schools having already started and others back next week.
I cannot imagine how many iterations of risk assessments have already been completed to make schools as safe as possible given the constraints of staff numbers, building size and requirements to get every child back in school.
They are getting enough PPE to tick the box that it's been issued to all schools but not enough to be useful.
Teachers mostly haven't stopped working since the pandemic began. They have continued to teach, to support vulnerable learners, provided meals and good parcels out of school funds in lieu of FSM, they remained open through school holidays for key worker provision.
I really feel that they have been well and truly fucked over, left massively vulnerable and will be left to carry the can for community outbreaks.

I'm a parent and work for the NHS if it's if any consequence.

‘They've not had "nearly six months off school". Since March, they would have had 2 weeks off for Easter, one for June half term, and the summer holidays.’

My children have not set foot in school for nearly 6 months. That’s OFF school for 6 months, semantics aside. It’s that kind of re-reading of facts that’s really getting on parents nerves at the moment. ‘Schools ARE open’ - no they aren’t for most pupils.

Isthisadaggerisee

Actually I think you’re wrong - it’s not semantics. It’s really important that children keep the “lost” time in proportion- it’s 2 out of 6 terms. That feels much more manageable than “6 months”.

Agree. It's basically been one term of disrupted learning.

The trouble is six months is six months when you think about the last time they went into their school. A long time.

Not so much about learning time but just the reality of a inaccessible school.

An...

Anyway we’re nearly there. One back this week, who is ultra keen, and the other next week.

Yabvu. They need to get on with it just like everyone else.

Yes. It's been six months but again, the government decided that certain year groups could go back in only. If they'd have asked teachers, they'd probably have suggested a different approach. A rota for example. We've got to keep remembering who makes the decisions here.

Yes it was a government decision and not a great one.

BINGO!

@MarshaBradyo

Yes it was a government decision and not a great one.

Agree with that.

Piggy you made me jump who?

Not you!

Floatyboat.

The trouble is six months is six months when you think about the last time they went into their school. A long time.

Not so much about learning time but just the reality of a inaccessible school

Exactly. And it’s not just their learning is it? It’s
Social, psychological. And It’s how it affects working parents who have to keep a job and either look after kids or try to homeschool them.

I’m aware that they’ll catch up eventually on their times tables or bloody romans or whatever.
‘

or bloody romans or whatever

That doesn't suggest you value education terribly, tbh.

It has felt like some experiment to see how long we could last. I’m not worried so much about yr6 dc but I very much hope yr11 gets back to where he was quickly.

On the plus side we will be writing our first set of reports in four weeks - joy!

Which is why it’s important to keep talking about it in terms of 2 terms of school.

By framing it as 6 months it becomes bigger than it needs to be - for the students.

I, for one, hope Ofqual are looking (properly looking ) at how to support year 11 and year 13.

But I have no real confidence because they can't see beyond restricted curriculum and terminal exams.

@Isthisadaggerisee

The trouble is six months is six months when you think about the last time they went into their school. A long time.

Not so much about learning time but just the reality of a inaccessible school

Exactly. And it’s not just their learning is it? It’s
Social, psychological. And It’s how it affects working parents who have to keep a job and either look after kids or try to homeschool them.

I’m aware that they’ll catch up eventually on their times tables or bloody romans or whatever.
‘

It's fine to be cross about that. Just point the blame at the decision-makers. Not the local teacher who is also s parent and therefore knows exactly what it's like to have their kids miss school.

@MarshaBradyo - don't worry Year 11 will be straight under the cosh. I have a syllabus to finish and need to collect as much evidence as possible in case we have a re-run of the CAG fiasco.

Shall I tell you who is looking at it proper Piggy?

Who has, in fact, already got a proposal re exam years?

Smile I see what you’re saying but the yr5 isn’t stressed about the learning side, but the length of time is still very real to him.

Thanks Staff for reassurance I appreciate it

@Floatyboat

Yabvu. They need to get on with it just like everyone else.

Yawn