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Decision on schools closure coming 'imminently'

230 replies

mymoonmyman2020 · 18/03/2020 12:46

From Guardian reporting on PMQs -

'Johnson pays tribute to teachers, and thanks them for their work in keeping schools open. He says further decisions will be taken “imminently” on schools, that will square the circle of stopping the spread of the disease, while wanting to relief the pressure on the NHS.'

Scottish news on schools also expected soon apparently.

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GenderApostate19 · 18/03/2020 12:48

Teachers are 99% certain it will be on Friday, though it may be left up to individual schools whether to remain open for key workers

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 18/03/2020 12:51

From what I'm hearing from teachers the lack of staff is effectively closing the schools anyway. Every day the staff shortages are getting worse. My son is a teacher - today he is the only one in from his department of six teachers. That's unsustainable now. They've collapsed the classes as best they can but this can't happen for much longer now.

evilharpy · 18/03/2020 12:54

My money is on them closing from the end of this week.

Buttybach · 18/03/2020 12:55

Two in our area have closed today

Buttybach · 18/03/2020 12:56

My daughter has been more and more anxious every day and she is not an anxious child x it's definitely time to close them

Glenthebattleostrich · 18/03/2020 12:57

Some of my clients are teachers and I know of 3 schools literally one staff member away from closing.

I've made the decision to keep my daughter home.

stoptherideiwanttogetoff · 18/03/2020 12:59

We've just had an email link to the online learning portal and head has pretty much got his skeleton staff ring fenced to set up a NHS front line response set up. Earlier in the week we were asked to let him know our working profession so that in the event of closure he could quickly identify those parents/children who may need a childcare option. I'm seriously impressed with the schools pro-active way of dealing with this.

KeysDontBelongInTheFridge · 18/03/2020 13:00

I hope they can provide a skeletal service for NHS workers etc, otherwise it’s just going to all collapse.

FlorencesHunger · 18/03/2020 13:00

Scotlands news on school closure has been postponed until tomorrow.

KeysDontBelongInTheFridge · 18/03/2020 13:01

Wow, stop that sounds like a great school!

DitheringDoris · 18/03/2020 13:01

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question but are all the teachers off in isolation due to symptoms or a refusal to put their health at risk by teaching children all day?

Comefromaway · 18/03/2020 13:03

At ds's school it's a mixture of symptoms (or symptoms in their family) and some teachers have serious underlying health issues so have been sent home.

ballsdeep · 18/03/2020 13:03

Our local secondary has closed years 7,8,9 and our school has teacher planning packs to send to children on Google drive. They are discussing a rota for Skeleton staff for NHS workers

PeterPanGoesWrong · 18/03/2020 13:04

My daughter just text me to say the school her three (my grandchildren) is closed after today. She’s in Nottingham.

TheFormidableMrsC · 18/03/2020 13:05

I have to say, I've been very impressed with how our school have managed this horrific situation. I agree it will be Friday. I've also just had an email for all the online learning portals and access codes.

AintNobodyHereButUsKittens · 18/03/2020 13:10

DD’s private school has just moved to online learning only. Children of key workers who require childcare can come in to school with their own laptops and be supervised while they take part in the same online learning as everyone else, which seems like an efficient solution. They’re using Microsoft Teams.

Does however require each child and home worker in the household to have their own laptop, and ideally a quiet space to use it in and do voice/video calls.

PickAChew · 18/03/2020 13:13

I'm expecting Friday. About to deep clean my teenagers' rooms while I can.

Raisingwildanimals · 18/03/2020 13:15

I’ve just read a news report that schools in wales will close on Friday

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/coronavirus-covid19-schools-closing-closed-17943478

DeRigueurMortis · 18/03/2020 13:15

DS's school closed today bar students in years 7/11/13.

They have already set up online resources for learning.

In addition they have asked parents whose children are not in the years listed above to get in touch if they are essential workers or struggling in any way with a view to making exceptions on a case by case basis.

They have been issuing daily updates to keep parents informed.

Frankly they've handled it brilliantly (state secondary).

mymoonmyman2020 · 18/03/2020 13:17

Just announced schools are closing in Wales from Friday

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mymoonmyman2020 · 18/03/2020 13:18

Ah cross post @Raisingwildanimals (very appropriate name!)

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GiveUsACwtch · 18/03/2020 13:18

All schools in Wales will close friday.

Dds school have already sent home children with under lying conditions, her included for the foreseeable.

Ds1 is home from tomorrow due to staff shortages.

waterjungle · 18/03/2020 13:18

My DS is a teacher and has been told that even if the schools close teachers will be expected to come in. I'm not sure who is meant to look after her children.....

AuntieStella · 18/03/2020 13:18

Nicola Sturgeon is speaking now, and has just put Scotland on notice that schools will almost certainly shut after this Friday. And that they cannot guarantee when they will return after Easter

Announcements to follow about pupils in public exam years, vulnerable/FSM pupils, and DC of key workers.

NotDisclosedToday · 18/03/2020 13:18

Surely this is a safety issue now. Too few teachers left.