Am I the only one not pleased that schools are closing?

[xtinak]

I understand that the government consider this necessary and I know it's about saving lives, possibly mine.

But please tell me I'm not the only who feels a deep dread at us all being home? I could cry. Until the summer. How.

I really hope they don't get postponed for a whole year. That would really suck

Agreed. That would be my DD's nightmare scenario, I would say. I don't think she could go for another year as things stand. She would panic. She needs to keep on track, get the exams done now and then have a few weeks break over the summer.

I'm a teacher and I have mixed feelings. I'm pleased that I will no longer be expected to simultaneously social distance myself whilst spending all day in a building with 1000 other people.

I'm not pleased about teaching remotely, that my most vulnerable students will be the ones leasts suited to this arrangement, that I'll have to work while looking after my own children, and I'll miss work and the students.

We received a letter today from my dd's school closing Year 8 and 9, and saying they are running a skeleton staff for NHS and other parents who need to work. So, it may be this is something other schools will do. They also have free school meal provision, either pick up bagged lunches, or come onto site for now just for lunch, and they are also giving out food bank vouchers.

The lack of clarity is the problem here, it may well be that actually we can close most schools but run on a skeleton staff and keep up school meals. I don't think they will be able to solve the problem that staying home with some children is quite boring and/or stressful, but we do it for 13 weeks a year already...

Yabadabadontdoit, fingers are all crossed. Breath not being held though.

I suppose Gavin Williamson is appearing alongside Boris with his statement this afternoon. The timing fits.

As I understand has GW has indicated only partial closures.
I think they are going to limp on for the next fortnight at least then review when Easter holidays kick in
Not helping that stupid parents are self isolating one child then sending in siblings

My eldest school was closed as of yesterday, they've been sent lots of homework to do - oh how I laughed as my dd thought it was going to be all rest and relaxation.

Luckily I wfh anyway and she can amuse herself most of the time

I'm actually dreading it. I won't be able to work as we don't have any family/childcare for my 3 children. Just relying on husbands wage. I just can't see how we will be able to manage.

My daughter's school have been partially shut all week (only Y7 and Y11 in) but I have the feeling it'll be shut completely soon. My children are self isolating anyway and already driving me insane. They are providing work online but I'm not enjoying being stuck in for weeks.

Does anyone know that if schools are told to shut, does that mean private nurseries have to do so too?

I really am dreading the thought of being at home with nearly 2 year old DD, keeping her entertained and both DH and I trying to work from home - both of which have very conference call heavy and project focussed jobs!

Im not happy either, no DC in school but no doubt nurseries will follow soon after. I am front line NHS staff and apparently normal dependents abscence policies are still in force meaning I will only get 1 maybe 2 days full pay. We are just going to end up saying we are isolating in order to get paid which is not ideal at all. Im hoping my OH's work will send them all to WFH so im not stressing as much.

I'm in Ireland. At home since Friday with 3.
Yes it is a pain in the proverbial. I only work part time and that is my sanity escape, but now I'm temporarily laid off. So

Have I missed something? Has this been announced somewhere?

It will probably announced around 5pm

The important thing is keeping children at school of those parents who run the emergency services,doctors nurses,other vital services.If they go we are all fucked.

I've just had an ugly cry 😢 Needed to release some worry. So concerned for all the children of all ages. Apart from friends, missing education. It's definitely going to have an effect

SIX MONTHS!!!!!

Their education is going to suffer so much, how can we possibly teach them as well as fully trained, experienced teachers... who have the time and aren't trying to do another full / part time job remotely at the same time?

You are far from the only displeased one OP

Yes it's just you OP, everyone else is just thrilled.

SFS

Mixed feelings here too.

As I have mild asthma, I am pleased I will not have children coming back to school with potential transmission..

Dreading having to work from home with all children going stir crazy, bickering and screen obsessed. It's going to take a lot of getting used to..

6 months ? Jesus

@listsandbudgets at a time of national crisis I think children’s education is the least of our worries.

Raising them in a healthy and economically viable country would be my priority.

I'm not pleased, because I'm a single parent and can't work from home. DS is 6 so can't be left alone while I go to work. I don't know what I'm expected to do for money.

I’m also not glad. I can work from home and mine are year 5, 9 and 12 so fairly independent. But they’ll miss so much socially and I’m worried about the impact on folk who can’t WFH.

That said, clearly schools are struggling because of the impacts in staffing and I don’t want staff to be landed with massive classes and additional stress, plus of course, many of them are parents.

Older 2 are at schools that (So far) are keeping exam years going.

I’m rather stressed about it. No family close by and we will both still have to work (neither of us can work from home - well I probably could for the most part but we are not set up to do it.) No word yet from school or out of school care as to plans.

There are so many vital services once you think about it, in addition to NHS and emergency workers, we have delivery drivers, food production and warehousing, supermarket workers, pharmacy workers, utilities and probably more I can’t even think of.

I can’t bear it. How the fuck am I supposed to keep a four year old entertained and educated at home for six months (while also somehow working)? She’s going to be so bored and lonely.