Decision on schools closure coming 'imminently'

[mymoonmyman2020]

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.

keys

I'm sure that many key workers have partners who aren't also key workers. Those that have could work opposite shifts.
I don't think people (teachers) should put their lives at risk for other people's children unless it's part of their job.

My son is on teaching practice in NI, he says a lot of teachers are absent because they're self-isolating and the PGCE students have been sent home today. He's expecting schools to close soon - he says there's a lot of pressure to close because they've been closed in the Republic.

Ours partially closed today, we don't have enough staff in to keep going much longer.

Lots of schools are already closed even though government advice is to stay open.

Several here (Cumbria) have already announced they're closed until after the Easter holidays at a minimum.

Both of mine are in private schools and both are closing one tomorrow and one Friday. Moving to online learning.

I am sure state schools won’t be far behind.
I assumed the delay was partly logistical to sort out cover for essential workers and children on FSM.

I think they’ll all be closed by Monday. My DDs school has had to shut to nursery and reception. She say there are 10 teachers absent! God knows how they are carrying on.

My DH had 10 students missing from one class today!

Yes Guardian says -

Breaking: Nicola Sturgeon announces schools and nurseries in Scotland will close to pupils at the end of the week.

When will England announcement be I wonder? Maybe at the press conference...

Nicola Sturgeon reckons end of the week in Scotland

My son's school has closed today. Other children's is open but not sure how long for..

My schools in Wales closing by Friday according to BBC

@DitheringDoris schools are mostly staffed with women of childbearing age - absolutely heaps of them are pregnant, as well as the usual 10% of the population with long term health conditions PLUS the ones showing symptoms because the virus has been circulating unchecked for a fortnight.

Though I'm sure some of the teachers just don't fancy being high-rise babysitters too.

It's unsustainable now.
Kudos to the teachers for this, but it's limping on and children getting sick, adults too.

I hope there can be a model for the most needy/children of key workers, if some teachers can do this.

My.dds school likely to close due to staff shortage anyway. This feels apocalyptic

@DitheringDoris I presume a lot of teachers met the criteria for self isolating - pregnant, underlying conditions or have children/partners displaying symptoms.

My sons secondary school closed yesterday due to low staff but they are setting lessons to do at home via their online portal. Same with another secondary school in my area.

Dcs are coming home everyday talking about kids coming in with coughs - people just can't seem to respect the guidelines...the schools need to shut.

Schools in Wales to close by Friday

So when do they open again next year? Apparently it going to be here for a year. Swab the poorly staff get them bk to work. They need to start testing people

I've got my Y8 daughter and Y7 nephew home today due to staff shortages. Y9 nephew has had to go in. My primary kids are in school, but there were only about 70% of kids in yesterday and less today.
I WFH (anyway, not just at the moment) and asked the primary if they wanted me to keep my kids off today but they said not yet as they think it's better for mental health to keep things normal while they can. But sounds like not for much longer...

School at end of our road (private) open today. Changing allowed ratios to allow say 50 children per class might help (my mother taught classes of 40 after WII without a teaching assistant - just her)
If they do close on Friday then there will be a lot of NHS and other key workers unable to work so I am not sure how wise it is to close them - balancing risks etc.

If they do close them it would be very useful to be given an opening date eg after the Easter holidays finish in England so those with GCSEs know where they stand - that would give a month or so of time to hold the virus back and then we get on with the summer terms and take what comes as the wave of the virus come over the nation again and again.

Secondary talking about closing, primary have had 3 children sent home yesterday so it's only a matter of time before they all close.

Most private schools seem to be shut already or be shutting shortly as mentioned.

Key workers working opposite shifts - when are they supposed to sleep? They are going to be working crazy hours anyway without being expected to spend the time they do get for sleep caring for children.

Independent school here. We’re supposed to finish next Weds anyway for Easter so I’ll be happy if we get to Friday.

My personal opinion is that school is the best place for children right now. They have a very low risk of catching C19 and a tiny risk of becoming seriously ill.

I realise teachers are in a difficult position. If they are unwell or vulnerable in some way they should, of course, stay off.

Trouble is, you can’t stay closed forever. Life goes on. We will probably just have to get used to this virus being around, same as influenza bites each winter.

One of the schools local to me has over 40% of pupils off for various reasons including parents voting with their feet

Loads of teachers who are parents in our school. Kids get coughs/fevers all the bloody time - so due to new cough our family are self isolating. We also have pregnant women who have been sent home and slt said anyone with health risks needs to discuss with them so assume others are off due to this. Plus our school are trying to reduce spread in school by isolating year groups (primary) and authorising corona based absence (due to symptoms in family or family deeming to great a risk).
I think that school who are already sorting key workers is incredible!