when are we going into lockdown and closing schools?

[fireflower998]

Spain, France and now Germany (about to go) in lockdown, so when will we? And when will the schools close? I'm guessing it will be Tuesday/Wednesday time. It's looking inevitable now.

Or till August and do the GCSEs etc in August.

The plan was to close a week before Easter holiday and week after, ie 4 weeks off, might change this week

That wasn’t ever the “plan” - maybe a possibility but definitely not a firm plan.

How will the NHS cope if schools are closed? There will be staff shortages in hospitals, then how will we cope?

I know most people are reading a lot of fake news at the moment, but the fact is our approach so far has led us to have by far the lowest infection rate in Western Europe. It isn't really hitting us yet compared to the rest of western europe

I think that is actually because other countries are testing suspected cases and we’re not. So our infections look low

That was the plan of as last week, things have moved on at a quick pace, New meeting Tuesday.

How will the NHS cope if schools are closed? There will be staff shortages in hospitals, then how will we cope?

Hence staying open for key workers (press leak)

Other measures already being planned include:
the forced requisitioning of hotels and other buildings as temporary hospitals;
the requisitioning of private hospitals as emergency hospitals;
temporary closure of pubs, bars and restaurants - some time after next weekend's ban on mass gatherings;
emergency manufacture by several companies of respirators that would be necessary to keep alive those who become acutely ill;
the closure of schools for perhaps a few weeks, but with skeleton staff kept on to provide childcare for key workers in the NHS and police.

Our school are making preparations IN CASE there is an order to close but at present all evidence is we will remain open.

I don't think we should be closing at the moment although it might be right at some point in the future. Roll on the Easter holidays with an enforced two week closure.

@supersop60 There’s a possibility we may both work at the same school although I’ve not heard VMT’s weren’t allowed to work. Stopping the germs coming in from outside really won’t make too much difference with the amount of permanent staff, many in close contact every day.

I don't think the schools will close.

Well DD2's closed as of today - for 7 days apparently, but I have my suspicions that'll be it. Its a boarding school, so in a slightly odd position I suppose.

I can guarantee that just because SLT have directed school staff to be prepared for imminent closure it does not mean they have secret information.

I know because I am one of the SLT who has give this direction. I, however, do not believe schools will close any time soon and have no more facts than we have seen on the BBC news.

Cerealkillers - the email from the HT is very clear - no 'unnecessary' lessons including VMTs

I had an email from my uni saying that they're still open tomorrow.

We've had children from a local school who've gone down with it so I don't know what they're playing at.

How will the NHS cope if schools are closed? There will be staff shortages in hospitals, then how will we cope?

What are the actual figures for primary school children where both parents work for the NHS?

I thought the plan was to introduce legislation to force schools to stay open? Has this changed ?

I find the news (on here) about an IKEA in Ireland having to shut because it was overrun with families a bit concerning. What will everyone do with their kids, and how will our employers expect us to wfh when we have them here.

I personally don’t think that the schools will close until Easter and they may extend that holiday. After next weeks COBRA they will officially announce over 70s to self isolate. I know a couple of people choosing to keep their kids at home, attendance will be down but not dramatically.

I thought the plan was to introduce legislation to force schools to stay open? Has this changed ?

For Key workers maybe but nobody knows it changes daily

I can think of 8 children I know who have both parents frontline NHS staff.

@reefedsail I don’t know the actual figures of NHS workers where both parents work for the NHS. I know of some NHS workers married to others and of some married to other important workers like the police. What about lone parents? My DH died a few years ago...I’m frontline NHS. What do I do?

I think my son's school will stay open as has been a hugely proactive very small private school with international boarders.
They appear to be preparing for a closure, if ordered by government, with teachers coming in to do video teaching throughout the day, requiring the usual attendance. But unless instructed to do so they are not planning on shutting up shop.
Im not sure what they would do for the boarders though - some of whom were not allowed home during the holidays because their countries were deemed a risk, way ahead of any government policy stating as such.

The schools will close for 2 weeks at Easter. I don't think they will close before then.

Parent of a year 11 child wants her to have as many days in school as possible.

As a teacher - having to stay home through enforced closure does not appeal - would still have to work setting work and marking it, lesson planning, report writing and will have a year 3 child to supervise as well as a year 9 and 11 to nag about doing their work not watching endless make up tutorials on YouTube.

There are lots of children with both parents in emergency and essential services.

It's not just the NHS that needs to run 24 hours a day.

Suspect there will be some issues with the government wanting these frail old 70 year olds to isolate. So frail and old that the government deems them fit and healthy enough to be restraining prisoners and fighting fires at 68