Schools

[belay]

What does everyone think the chances are of schools closing and the implications?

At my kids secondary they already have children on the side of desks and some of the chairs for the kids are broken. Physically rooms designed for 30, having to take up to 36 currently but no way can they get 60 in a room. That would surely increase any spread too. The school does have classes with no teacher from time to time and one teacher runs between two classes but it's not really a viable option.

Our school issued guidance last week for those returning from hotspots, and promised further info depending on how things developed.

One DC heard other pupils talking about their classmate who was at home ending results of COVID-19 test (a half term traveller) Nothing official on that, but I expect there will be if it's a) true in the first place (which I expect it could well be, as classmates wouid know someone is off and quite probably where they'd been during half term) and b) positive

@Mistressiggi (and any other teachers) the increased class sizes is one of the most stupid ill thought out thing I've heard recently from this government (and they're not short of stupid shit like this!)

I for one, would not send my DC into school and expect the teachers to try and teach a gigantic class especially at different levels/stages of the curriculum. I would HE. I realise I am lucky to be able to do this work wise, but I'm sure quite a few parents would be in the same situation. For the parents that can't do this, having the other children withdrawn may bring the sizes back down.

I have enormous sympathy for the teachers and retired NHS staff who the government have, quite frankly, fucked over in the last few years and then expect (and worse, tell!) them to put their health at risk with physical illness and huge amount of stress.

Even typing that actually got me mad

And it's now happened in Italy

It's only 40 cases so far in the whole of the UK.

Double that 2 days after you posted.

Haven’t read the whole thread yet but wanted to ask what the exam contingency dates are? My son is yr11 and I’ve never heard of this. He is hoping the exams get cancelled
But I was (before coronavirus) thinking of taking him away for a few days after exams

I wish they would close the schools, and I have a dd doing GCSEs.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/a3824263-covid19-sigh-sorry#93976499

Here's the thread when it was only 9

It's discussing The Telegraph article saying the government planned to impose isolation on everyone symptomatic, once 100 cases had been reached. Only a fortnight ago, and it seemed utterly ridiculous then.

87 cases now. If the demarcation between 'contain' and 'delay' phases of the response, I expect we shall see stricter measures all too soon

'what the exam contingency dates are'

It's the fallback day if a paper needs to be re-done (major national or regional disruption meaning a paper cannot be sat by many)

But it's only one day - this year 24 June.

@RoseAndRose thank you, I had no idea

Mmmm
I work in a school. Daily updates from DfE, Government and County.

Current advice is no school closures even with the virus present.

This pandemonium is ridiculous.
(Ducks for cover but the above is actually a fact)

I have a close relative who is a caretaker of a large secondary school. They had a contingency meeting and it was mentioned that a deep clean would be carried out if necessary.. The caretaker spoke up and said "who does the deep clean? "School staff said "the caretaker will do it". He said nope - he has no protective gear or deep cleaning materials

It's only 40 cases so far in the whole of the UK.

Double that 2 days after you posted.

And nearly triple the day after that was posted (115)

Having large class sizes as emergency mitigation to help keep people, including both key/essential staff (such as medics and emergency services) and also those who keep the wheels of society turning (utilities, food supply etc) at work.

It's not what anyone would choose. But i can see how it could be the least worse option

I'm a teacher in a secondary school and we have only today had information about it, which is barely anything and nothing remotely useful apart from sick pay details. Saying that we don't have soap in most of the dispensers so I don't know what I expected.

We had an email today from the school saying they are only closing on advice from public health England who have advised can stay open even if cases

So the same as dung, above said