Is it really likely the schools will close?

[sqirrelfriends]

I've seen a few comments on other threads about schools and other childcare settings closing indefinitely to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Do you really think it's likely to happen?

No I don’t think the government will shut the schools. There have been cases where pupils/teachers have come down with the virus and still no need to shut/clean the schools.

As a country we are clearly deploying different tactics to other countries. We are allowing big events to go ahead and not closing any schools or universities.

I think they are just going to allow this virus to run unfortunately. The argument is that the school closures don’t have an effect in other countries..Neither does stopping large gatherings of people.

I think they are going to try to keep the schools going until Easter, what they’ll do after Easter I don’t know.

DS (Yr6) has got his SATs in May, I asked the deputy head last week what would happen if the school was closed during that period and she didn’t have a clue, waiting to here from DfE and take it from there.

I think they'll close either side of Easter to extend the break, it wouldn't surprise me if some people see it as an excuse to still go travelling and helps increase the spread mind- in my opinion it needs to be part of a package of actions.

My school (central london) had an emergency meeting yesterday and we have an action plan (with a series of contingencies) for what we’ll do in event of closure.
Our LA has asked us to ask parents to ‘think about’ what they will do for childcare if schools are shut.
Personally I think if it’s going to happen it won’t be until the final week of this term.

I got an email from DS's secondary school warning us the school may close in the next 2 weeks, and they were preparing home/distance learning for them.

A family member at a London FE college has been told to expect closure.

dd's tutor is head of year. They were having a discussion this in tutor group this morning as it's all the kids are talking about apparently. He told them he thinks school will try to get to a week before the easter hols and then close for 3 weeks.

Sadly, I have seen threads on parental forum where schools have been closed. UK. People are just planning soft play outings and the like. FFS, what is the point of that?

With so many stupids, might as well leave the schools opened. (I do think they close, wondering about taking my kids out frankly, but childcare will be a struggle)

We also got emailed information on home learning online.

I’m in the US and one school near me has closed for a fortnight. Another for 3 days disinfecting. Our school is closing on Friday so the teachers can do an assessment of the problem and so the buses can be disinfected.

I can't see them closing the schools without some sort of lockdown nationwide or there is no point at all.

It's already happened at some schools and universities here in the USA. My kid's schools are having a training day for the teachers on remote learning, how to hold online classes, etc. Luckily they already post a lot online so it should be work out.

I'm beginning to think that they should shut schools a week early for an extended Easter holiday. If still looking crap after that, extend a week after as well.

Possibly allowing exception to be made for Y11 and Y13s

Yes, I think it's likely, but not definite. The spread of the virus must be slowed as much as economically reasonable.

I think if things get bad enough, schools will close to help halt the spread. There is evidence from flu pandemics that this works- even if young people don't get very ill, they can still spread the virus and each person takes it home to their families. I do think the government is aiming to keep schools in general open as long as possible- whilst also closing individual schools where needed. There may also come a point where individual schools are unable to open due to lack of staff.

I'm a teacher, and this week at school it's clear SLT are making serious contingency plans for what to do if the school shuts. It is still and if not a when at this stage, but the sense is that it is a likely possibility.

Yes

We find out later this evening if our schools in Portugal are going to close from next week.

Most people are guessing that they will bring the Easter break forward.

Nothing at all from the school I work in nor the dc secondary school. The only things mentioned are tissues and hand washing. Other wise it seems to be head in the sand time here.

It does look like we are waiting for things to get as bad as possible before reacting. instead of getting our arses in gear and minimise damages now.

Let's not forget that (at least GB) hospitals are already full at this time of year. Let's wait even longer to make it worst.

There’s a petition for this: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300403

Not sure how to add click link! But you can copy n paste

yes it does. This is typical of the way we react to anything. Wait until something bad happens rather than trying to prevent it. Look how long bloody brevet took.

in 4 days tine this will be debated

As the experts have said, if there was mass closure it has to be near the peak (slightly before I think I've read) to be effective. We are not even remotely close to the peak yet, when we are it will be a matter of judgement. But certainly not imminent.

I think we'll be looking very closely at what happens in Germany, they are a fair few days ahead of us and from todays statement, sounds like they'll be brazening it out to try and preserve the economy. If it works for them (or they don't end up with more cases than Spain or France who are at similar points right now), I think we will follow and brazen it out, given our right wing government.

Some schools are preparing for. Other schools are trucking along as if everything is totally normal.

Totally

I'mma teacher and i do have to say Schools are prepping for closure

Germany has made the decision to not close school as they think it will be problematic for healthcare workers.