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.

I don't understand why they don't close the schools on Friday for an early Easter break to relieve the pressure of the remaining teachers, allow a bit of recovery time and then review it at the end of the Easter break.

It would allow schools to try the online learning and adjust anything which doesn't work.

OvertherainbowLiesOz that’s exactly what Wales are doing, they have moved the Easter break forwards. No news on when we might reopen as I guess they really don’t know.

Very sensible. Solves the problem of lack of staff, gives them time to prepare better and then review it / come up with some solutions.

I really hope any announcements will cover what happens with nursery fees. I know nurseries need the money but so do parents if they aren't getting paid and not receiving the service from the nursery.

What time is the PM daily briefing? I am wondering if an announcement will be made then.

@MairzyDoats due at 5pm

The universities have the same issue. Students are saying what about exams, assessments, tuition fees, missed teaching and rent? Universities are saying 'we are aware of these issues, the wellbeing of our children remains our top priority.'

Just spoke to daughter. Her workload is insane because she has a full day teaching and then another full day preparing online lessons, combined with crap behaviour.

Had an email from our school this afternoon asking who needs key worker childcare.

DS is a teacher, mainly Y11,12 and 13. He says staff and children are going down like flies.
The school have closed to KS3 and will review daily. Children of essential workers will be able to go to school and be safe and supervised though not necessarily taught. There is massive preparation for online teaching.
DS is expecting to be WFH from next week

DD's school (independent) has preempted any announcement and is shut from Friday.

About eight schools in Cumbria are already shut (or due to to shut today) due to staff shortages.

I teach in a large primary school.

We've got 12 members of staff off today - mixture of vulnerable because of pregnancy or underlying health conditions, and some who are having to self-isolate because family members have shown symptoms.

We have about 25% of children off. All absence has been authorised at the moment.

We've got a document for each year group ready to go on the school website, with ideas of how to support children's learning at home: reminders to go on websites such as timetable rockstars that we use regularly and ideas for English, Maths and Science activities. Maths homework is going to be set online and monitored.

We have made up packs today which are going home tomorrow with reading, writing and maths activities. We are going to send these home with each child who is in school for them to complete if we close. We'll be making them available for parents to collect for other children (will post to those who aren't collecting, but that could end up being quite costly so are hoping that they have somebody who could come to the school office).

Ds who is a teacher has been sent home today because he has a cough but he was going to self isolate from Saturday because he had kidney cancer last year.

At his school all the teachers who have health problems had to speak to HR or the deputy head yesterday and by the time he went there over 25 on the HRs list and he was unsure how many were on the deputy head’s list.

They're closing for five weeks.

Who is @Aveino ?

Ours is partially closed, open for year 7 and 11.

Although that could change at the 5pm briefing.

I am not sure how I am going to be able to work with kids at home for many weeks? What are my options?

@desperado You coud go on childcare.co.uk and try and find someone to look after them. But it is paid childcare or manage as best you can. Sadly there is no other option.

NI schools are closing today BBC news just announced

UK closing from Friday until further notice

Children of key workers and vulnerable children will continue going to school

Not sure how they're going to decide who's a key worker. It's not just NHS staff and emergency workers. No idea how many we'll have in next week.