I’m not a teacher but......

[Comefromaway]

I think it’s time you went on strike.

The government clearly don’t give a toss about you, our kids & subsequently our families.

My daughter is so stressed about the school/college environment. Everywhere she’s being told that she can’t do this that and the other because people are dying. But she’s expected to go into college and have her normal classes with overcrowding and no effective mitigation.

Medical officer woman has clearly not been into a school. The teachers & students are dropping like flies.

@Comefromaway

The thing is, I’ve seen from my son’s college that it is possible to be open and teach safely.

It’s an FE college so have been able to do things that schools have not been allowed to do (like blended learning, circuit breakers, strictly enforced mask wearing & students working in very small fixed bubbles with social distancing in all lessons) & they have competent senior management who have put this in place.

They’ve had a handful of cases, but no spread.

Further education is very different to Yr7-11, though.

THIS, plus the thread on the office worker who was freaking outnoger 1 colleague not wearing a mask on here earlier in the day.

I was thinking when reading the thread about Costco not allowing people in without a mask and lots of people agreeing with it, that people don't seem as concerned about school staff in classes of 30+ students for much longer than people stay nearby in a supermarket. Some teachers are 50 or 60+ and/or vulnerable and teach several different classes a day

We are collateral,......they will never admit though.

I think teachers are in the same situation as Nurses, policeman Fire fighters the Army and other services.
For some reason people expect them to carry on despites cuts in pay and working environment as they have a moral duty to work even thought they are being shafted.
When you consider how crucial there roles are, it is sad they are not valued by everyone ( not just the government) much more highly.

It’s nice to see some support for teachers! Thanks all!
It is so obvious that the schools (esp secondary) were what caused the biggest spike this autumn. It really is so dangerous. I’ve wished I could share pictures of the classrooms we have to teach in, all crammed in with 32 different kids a time, 5 times a day. My school has managed to stay relatively unscathed but even we’ve had cases amongst staff and pupils. And with this new strain, I admit I am more than a little worried. I live in a house with my mum, who is the sole carer for my Nan who is 86 and has severe heart failure! I’m so worried about passing it on.
And whilst I completely agree that schools desperately need to stay open (I also have 3 primary school aged children), I can’t see how they can safely without some sort of serious measures being put in place. It really just has not been safe!

It is, but there are things his college have done that if my daughters school had done (she’s also 6th form) I believe would have made things safer.

His college broke up for Xmas on 11th December), they had an extra week of half term. He’s been in alternate weeks face to face which meant that students could be seated 2m apart in all classes & lunch/social spaces/corridors were not crowded.

Staggered entry times, masks compulsory since September. Strict rules for practical work (unlike daughters school which has just acted like nothing is happening. )

Cases in my area are still fairly low on national comparison. 180/100k. So below average. But they did go up from 60 odd to 180 off from end of lockdown.

Until........

Friday. When they've started to decrease again. 🤔 what's changed?!

Maybe complete coincidence but we are T2 (4 from Boxing Day) and schools shit thirsday and the local college went blended learning for all from weds and most for the week.

I'll be watching carefully what they do now. We are T2. People have been out and about and shopping etc. Towns not been quiet.

@Comefromaway

I think I remember that your dd and mine are at the same school, and if so it’s down to the shocking management of the whole situation by the leadership team which has lead to the issues they’ve had. It’s not completely representative of all schools; lots of the schools I visit each week, both primary and secondary, have only had minimal disruption and cases. Some have fared worse and had many issues. But in general the teachers want to be in school and teaching. The unions might call for industrial action soon I think, but I’m not sure they’d get the support from the membership.

@Comefromaway

The thing is, I’ve seen from my son’s college that it is possible to be open and teach safely.

It’s an FE college so have been able to do things that schools have not been allowed to do (like blended learning, circuit breakers, strictly enforced mask wearing & students working in very small fixed bubbles with social distancing in all lessons) & they have competent senior management who have put this in place.

They’ve had a handful of cases, but no spread.

Same as my ds FE college.

He does a subject where it's all same students. Fixed desks, SD, lots of outside breaks, blended learning, masks etc.

I didn’t think they were at the same school (but a similar type of school)

Some schools tried to move to online learning earlier in the month and were threatened with legal action...

My sons girlfriend is also at a local high school

@Comefromaway

I didn’t think they were at the same school (but a similar type of school)

Maybe there’s more than one then who are having the same issue. I know not all the 11-19 box schools are the same though, the one my ds is at is completely different in their approach and hasn’t had any cases.

I am a teacher and of COURSE we shouldn't go on strike!

What on earth good would that do? Even if, IF, schools do largely close from January, we will be needed just as much to coordinate Home Learning and liaise with our pupils to check on their welfare and progress.

No one is in this profession for the pats on the back - we'd be a long time waiting for those, but we need to pull together as a nation at the moment to fight this pandemic and strikes play no part in that.

*voc schools not box!

We don’t get paid when we strike

@MaskingForIt

I don’t think enough teachers are member of unions for it be effective. You can’t just not turn up to work because you don’t fancy it.

I don't know any fellow teacher, or member of support staff, who isn't a member of a union.

Who's going to pay for teachers to go on strike? You do get that they have zero pay for any days spent striking and for a strike to be effective it needs to be more than just one day.

I know very few people who can give up a month's wage at the moment.

Put pressure on your MP to sort out this mess, don't put more responsibility on the teachers for continuing to work as best they can!

Kind of you but teachers going on strike is never a good look, is ineffective and always backfires.

I’m pleased some FE is handling it well. My experience is the opposite, but it might be to do with the particular groups I deal with.

Nooo please don’t, I’m a self employed peripatetic and have only just been allowed back into 2 of my schools currently earning about 20% of what I used to earn before March!

Teachers going on strike?? Really?

Thank you OP. My Dd is the same.

Thank you so much for recognising and valuing us teachers. It's so rare in the media! I think the chronic criticism is because everyone has memories of school, so they feel like they know what yea hing involves having been a pupil once - BUT their emotional response to teachers is stuck at the age they were when they left school - so even the most intelligent, middle aged scientists still respond emotionally to teachers from the perspective of an 18 year old.

Schools are hotbeds for the virus and my colleagues and I all feel it's a case of when not if we catch it .,, but the problem with striking is that it will get ZERO support from the media and we'll all be accused of being work shy / not doing our bit etc etc

@Bitcherama

Nope. I will not be striking and look forward to returning to school.

Thank you. I hope the majority of teachers are like you

Op that may change with this new spread.
Teens are getting mask fatigue, they do not understand the varying degrees of mask safety, eg touching it constantly, dropping it throwing it, whipping it off as soon as backs our turned..they also do not understand the stage where you could be infected but you have no symptoms, they say..

Don't worry I've not got it..

One says '' but you might have it now

They say '' anyone who has it shouldn't be here...

One says '' this is the very point, we do not know who has it, anyone in this room could have it right now and we don't know until they show symptoms and become unwell.. By which point it's been passed on.

People do not get that!! Only now is it coming out.. '' act like you have it and others! ''

Teens shut windows and moan endlessly about the cold, they won't wear warmer clothes..

They cough and sneeze and don't catch it, they sing, share ear phones to listen to music on their phones... Laughing.. High spirits... Josh around... Play fight, hug...

With this new strain.. How is that safe???

Teachers will not go on strike, they don't really do strikes! They moan and groan and then just get on with it, doing the best they can under the most difficult of circumstances.