So how is all this ‘open only for key workers’ thing going to work then?

[FlamingoAndJohn]

Really is doesn’t seem to mean anything.

I can’t really teach a random selection of children.

And hope we can all look on this and think “ I did my bit”

Secondary teacher here. Everyone I work with is prepared to do their bit. We’ve had a very stressful week, like everyone else, and worked hard to prepare for this as best we could. If we are classed as key workers, my eldest can go to his primary school still and my youngest can go to his childminder still and I will go to work and do whatever they need me to. If my children aren’t covered, I can’t go to work to help. Simple. But, all teachers will be working at home to support our students as best we can.

I’m not a teacher but get me CRB checked and I’d happily volunteer FOR FREE to help look after the children of essential workers. I have a degree, I’m sure I could be useful somehow. Where do I sign up

Well the fact that you can do this implies you have nothing better to do with your time. And maybe, therefore, you don’t understand the complexities of the issues being faced by some.

That’s right, students are going to love coming into school to do lessons whilst their peers are in bed and playing x box.
And the afternoon sounds fun. Every day for the next 4 months though?

Might be worth finding out @binting I wouldn’t be suprised if volunteers didn’t become a reality at some point

jamrollolly - In the afternoon,mixed, active, fun open ended activities to stretch and motivate the children. You know the stuff you dreamed of doing when you first thought of becoming a teacher, before data and Ofsted..,

Absoloutley this. Put a positive spin on it.

And if children have special needs and need help with personal care I can do that too. I’ve worked as a support worker with adults with disabilities so have plenty of experience.

Given the choice between propping up Britain and keeping my own family safe, sadly I would prefer to prioritise my family

Whereas those of us who work for the NHS consider our families expendable, and are caring for infectious patients for the LOLs

Presumably you won't mind if you dial 999 and no one comes, or pitch up in A&E and they turn you away, because we decided to prioritise our families too?

we’ve already had people volunteer in the hospital - it’s heart warming.

applegate79

I fully expect to be in school next week and doing my part until this is over.

I do however have mixed feelings about people that are having a go at others that have vulnerable people at home that they need to care for.

We have quite a few teachers where I work that should they get this, will pass it on to members of their family with underlying conditions that may well result in the death of their sons, daughters, parents etc.

Are they not allowed to be worried or be able to care for these family members without being called selfish?

mixed, active, fun open ended activities to stretch and motivate the children

Well, go on then, send me the planning

I’ve got massive concerns about looking after some of our vulnerable children, many of whom are violent and out of control even on routine days at school, never mind in the current situation. This isn’t going to be like babysitting a nice, compliant and enthusiastic set of children and having a lovely time with Lego every afternoon. (Mmm yes Lego, think of the germ transfer on that).

I think volunteers are going to be vital going forward, if the number of cases increase as expected, which they probably will.
I don’t envy the government to be honest, how do you get everything done and prevent the spread?

Thank you to the teachers and everyone who is thinking of and working for the greater good, even if their personal risk of exposure might increase.

But isn’t it true that many of us will get it and pass it on anyway? Even if we’re locked down we can go out for shopping and every item we select has the potential to be infected. It’s going to happen, and there will be some tragedies, but we’re just trying to flatten the curve, not stop it-right?

Fuck off Lemon I’m one of the lucky ones who can work from home. I’d happily cover for other professionals who can’t be arsed on my day off and work around my own commitment you absolute fucking nob.

Touched a nerve? Now you say your job is so light that you can do both your job and the job of a professional. You don’t get it.

@Smellbellina, judging by this thread I think you could be right. Completely shocked that some of these posters are paid to teach and be responsible for children and young people.

as @binting said further up - maybe now is the time to start learning how to teach and support those vulnerable kids by having the time and 1-1 ability to do so

kids with EHCP's and LAC aren't the spawns of satan - they are kids who need compassion and teachers who have the skills to support them

Our NHS staff are no doubt working around the clock exposing themselves, as are other frontline services. We need our teachers who we trust with our children to help those frontline services keep going.

This is time to dig in and help your fellow people. I understand it must be terrible if you have at risk people in your family. But so no doubt do many people who are keeping this country running right now.

@LemonGingerCakes, but I do.

I'm a primary school teacher, I don't mind the looking after the kids part but it's the uncertainty of not knowing in what role, where and what I'm going to do with my own kids (they have additional needs so am but really up for sending them to a random place) The info from the government as been sparse I hope they sort something out sharpish

Thanks, @Pomegranatepompom, I really have no idea how health care professionals' contracts work! If you guys are working extra for free then it goes without saying we will too!

"Given the choice between propping up Britain and keeping my own family safe, sadly I would prefer to prioritise my family."

Me too.

So would my team.

But, when I asked today for volunteers to undertake high risk care on known Covid19 positive patients, all but one said yes.

None of us asked for this. None of us signed up for this. It's wildly outside our job descriptions. But the need is there, and I'm proud that my team at least is ready to meet it.

I pray that many more across the country do likewise, because we're going to need it.

Like most teachers we spent staff meetings and additional time after our normal working days getting stuff together for the home packs for pupils. I've shown pupils (and other staff) how to use and manage google classroom for some of the remote working. And shown other members of staff how to use other platforms we can use that they are not familiar with. Inc the headteacher.
We are opening to key workers as advised, and are drawing up a rota per key stage within our school so that the pupils are used to the staff members who will be there with them.
They will be being supported to complete the same activities that have been set for all pupils, just in our setting and things will be less tight in terms of being a 'classroom'.

But... it will still be dependent on staffing. I'm one of those who has had advice from my gp that I should be social distancing as a more vulnerable member of staff. And I won't be the only one, so if the number of pupils we aren't going to have to be supporting isn't small I won't be in doing it on the adice of my doctor and the gov.

I feel for you OP, it is going to be bloody hard work and god knows how you are going to do the end of year assessment stuff. You probably felt quite over-worked and put upon anyway, before all this. I know it sounds a bit pious, but you are doing a genuine national service now. Hopefully you will get your dues - people might appreciate teachers more in future.

Revealal I don't think anyone will have to do this everyday, I'm sure rotas will be worked out with all the teachers in an area.

I'm sure Hope wouldn't need my help with planning but could look on Pinterest or other planning sharing sites for ideas.