That schools should close tomorrow where it is snowyy...

[SunshineAndSummer]

I feel like we should be prepared for days where it'll be difficult for teachers and some children to get into school due to bad weather, so online learning can take place instead!

FFS, it won't have been her decision to shut the school! It'll be the SLT and the governors along with the LEA. Stop making it about her just because she lives near you. I bet you're having a field day slagging her off on the class WA. 🙄

If the school is closed do you still expect the teacher to go into the classroom @Eastie77Returns? Parents like you are why many teachers refuse to teach in schools on their doorstep.

The decision to close the school will not have been down to that teacher

@Bekstar I'm glad parent helpers aren't left to look after a group alone! We can't have any unvetted adult given free access to children.

Exactly. My OH teaches in another borough to ours for that reason. Parents are behave with such entitlement these days it's like they think teachers owe them an account of how they spend each every waking moment.

That’s a shame. There’s a bit of ice here but really not hard for all the dc to get to school - London too

Back in the day, teachers/local authorities etc would not be worried about being sued if a child slipped over in an icy playground or got chilblains from going out to build a snowman with the teacher. I’m sure that’s got a lot to do with schools closing

I think most teachers, particularly high school ones actually work in schools some distance from their homes because they don't want to be out either with their own children, or socialising (because they do have a life outside of schools), and be confronted by abusive pupils or parents. I know of one teacher who did teach locally who was at local park with their own primary school children and was subjected to abuse by teens from his own school who were hanging around there. They shouted abuse and obscene names at both her and her young children.

Why not volunteer to go in and support any child in her class who can come in? Teachers should have the autonomy to do that. Other primary schools in the area are open so how does DD’s school get to just opt out?

There is no reason for the school to be closed at all. Whoever made the decision is at fault so I’m not blaming individual teachers but there is sometimes systemically wrong. Two days of school closure when everything else in our area is open including libraries, shops etc presumably staffed by people who have travelled into work. Buses are running regularly here as is the overground which I’ve taken for work today with no delays. We are in East London and well connected.

The roads are not dangerous, the gritting machines have been out in force. Everyone is just cracking on.

Meanwhile dozens of teaching staff from DC’s school cannot work because…ice. In what other profession is this even possible.

For a school to be open they will need certain people in eg safeguarding leads, trained first aiders. You can't just have one teacher in.

If the school building is physically closed, have they not offered any online learning @Eastie77Returns

As an ex teacher and now a part time school bus driver ( and mum of four) I would say from my experience that switching to online learning at the drop of a hat is not quite as simple as parents might think. Teaching a hybrid class with some in person and some on line is far from ideal ..half the lesson goes on tech issues which means the children in the classroom are neglected in favour of those at home. Resources may not be available for those at home etc etc. Pulling brand new adaptable lessons out of a hat is easier for very experienced teachers but an enormous amount of extra work for younger colleagues and all done with virtually no notice.
With my bus driver hat on I can safely say I did not enjoy the extra hour it took me to collect children from farms and houses in the middle of nowhere on my rural run this morning and yesterday. There was very little snow but the ice was lethal. I do have the authority to declare my route unsafe and I would do that to protect the children and myself from an accident. I’m very aware that parents need to get off to work but I will not put anyone in danger. It’s also very difficult for schools to be sure they will have enough staff available and decisions have to be made early.
Roll on summer!

When schools close here it's because the staff can't get in. I work at an inner city primary school in a rather 'ahem' rough area. Understandably most staff don't live anywhere near school and snow disrupts the commute especially for those coming from the suburbs where it's hilly and always gets the worst of the snow. And then there is the knock on effect of staff for children's school and childcare. If they close then staff can't come in then you can't open school because staffing levels are unsafe. So it's not always as simple as 'the roads around school are clear'

Don't think the school should close just because of the snow however my Children’s school will not authorise their absence nor is there an online learning option. School are aware I live in the middle of nowhere off a country road. I can't even get out my car park let alone to the bottom of my road without taking a lot of risk as gritters don't come near here

And yet according to some on this thread if you were a teacher you should be able to manage it.

Why not volunteer to go in and support any child in her class who can come in? Teachers should have the autonomy to do that.

Of course teachers don't have that autonomy. Site manager and slt decide if ot is safe to open. You cannot be on-site alone with pupils.

*I'll just provide the evidence that the death rate was lower in 2020 than in many recent years:

www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/deathsintheukfrom1990to2020

You can report that and get it taken down if you don't like the facts.*

The thing about lockdowns is that if they work, they look like a massive over reaction. Italy didn't have lockdowns until it was too late, their death rate sky rocketed, their hospitals and mortuaries were overwhelmed.

Oh bugger. The quote didn't show up in bold.

Double standards!! Alright for you not to travel but a teacher must battle their way in no matter what 😂