To tell you we don’t know either?

[Whyohwhymusti]

As a teacher, we have just as much knowledge about school closures as you do as parents!

No.. we don’t have an ‘insight’ as to when we will be closing.
No.. I can’t tell you before everyone else so you can plan your working hours.
No.. I am not hiding vital information from you!

As a parent, if think you might go into school asking this information, please think again!

I don't know how many times I've had to explain this today!

Also parents if you keep your child off self isolating for a cough then that's it, the whole household has to self isolate for the next 14 days.

No exceptions.

You can't send them in the following day saying they seem to be ok now. Once you've told the school you are self isolating that's it, you are for the next 14 days.

Of course they are going to ask you, they are anxious and worried (I too am a teacher who has been asked many times).

As a parent, I'm sorry you're dealing with this, I'm sure you've got much more to deal with. And can I also thank you for all you're doing? DS teacher has been brilliant at keeping the kids calm about everything, which I'm sure you're doing as well.

Can I add:
We really don't know what's happening with GCSE exams

No, I've not had time to put together a work pack because I'm still teaching full time

No, I can't facetime a lesson

@StripeyDeckchair, not necessarily true about 14 days. It's seven from the start of symptoms OR 14 if everyone remains asymptomatic.

@ThisHereMamaBear

Yes you’re completely right, they’re all very anxious. Sadly lots in my class are too, it’s horrible.
I’m wasn’t trying to downplay any worries with this post btw, just baffles me at the amount of questions some parents think we have secret answers to!

They’re closing Friday.

@Thorilicious
Thank you!
It certainly is getting more and more challenging but we’re still trying to have fun!
Code breakers and story writing tomorrow!

@GinDrinker00
Where did you get that info?

See I disagree but maybe it’s different for different schools. My school hasn’t officially told us, but from preparations and plans it’s quite clear it’ll be Friday. We’ve told parents nothing. I think the head may have been told to plan this so I believe other schools may be doing the same.

Just to add, I think we’re closing due to lack of staff if not government guidance.

@Whyohwhymusti I completely understand your frustration. A lot of teachers were saying about this in the staffroom. I think everyone's just so confused and they desperately want some clear answers or a time frame of when things are going to happen (which we cant give!)

Our pupils (secondary) are either totally subdued, on edge and anxious or hyper. There is no in between. There is also no meaningful work being done because everyone is so stressed with the unknown. We have had many pupils in tears today. We have also interrupted several classes to wash hands as pupils were getting panicky. (I’m based in a practical classroom with sinks so hand washing in the middle of class is doable.)

Heads have been told they are closing on fri

Infant school teacher here. Our head spent the entire day fielding phone calls from angry parents. A lot of them phoned school for medical advice. The office staff referred them to NHS website but could do no more.

We as staff certainly don’t know more than parents. Our SLT is worse than useless - staff know nothing, pupils know nothing, parents know nothing, and it seems like the head knows nothing too. (About anything!)

My DC’s schools on the other hand are being very clear in their communications with parents - we are getting daily updates and they are being as clear as they can be as well as being very supportive of parents.

My dc go to different schools, both primary but the infants and juniors are very much separate schools. The approach between the two could not be more different. One is very much you self isolate as a family for 14 days - we know everyone else isolating means you can't get them here. The other is, they're fine from 7 days so bring them in. Neither are of the age where they can walk to and from school alone so not sure how that works. It's very frustrating.

I feel for you teachers, school receptionists, etc, I really do. You must be getting unimaginable hassle right now, whilst being possibly exposed to the virus by a load of young 'super spreaders.'

My DS's school had to send home "a small group" of children who had tuned up with temperatures and/or coughs yesterday. I despair, I really do.

My DD's school have so incredibly understanding about me not sending DD in, that I think they're secretly relieved.

There's a rumour at my DS's school that it will close on Friday. He's only there because he's yr13 - but I told him we don't even know what will happen with A levels this year now - he's stressed out and so am I

I remember the lady on one of the posts the other day that swore she heard from ‘someone very high up’ that they were shutting that day.

They’ve not announced it. To head teachers or anyone. Friday is a good guess but no-one knows

Yep! It's so stressful. Advice is so unclear too.

@GinDrinker00 do you have any evidence for that claim?

Friday is being batted around the playground as the day for closure, but nothing official. I think it's more parents hoping that's when it will happen...

I suspect the Friday rumour has come about because it seems right - I severely doubt that’s the official plan (it seems to me as if the Government would much rather we got through until Easter, but might bow to public pressure before then).