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.

@TimeforanotherChange ....."dealing with children, maybe strange children by the look of it".I hope you mean children who are strangers to you. Perhaps you need to concentrate on your own education.

@lyralalala but my children aren’t old enough for school. They are under 3 and so only in the care of a childminder who now isn’t working.

I work for one of the big grocers, in a well paid head office job. As of yesterday anyone who can possibly be spared is now in store as it’s that bad and short staffed. Not one person I know has complained or said no although all are putting themselves at significant risk compared to the much safer option or working from home. Can’t stand this selfish, me-first attitude some people have. As healthy, well adults our role is to keep the country moving right now, not complain and insist on hiding at home.

@PatriciaBateman
Not my words I hasten to add! My niece who is a teacher posted this elsewhere.

@FlamingoAndJohn I'm about on the edge of a mental breakdown and I really need the easter break. BJ didn't mention working through Easter?
I want to do my bit but I need my holiday/ mental break for my mental wellbeing... And that of the kids.
I don't want to get signed off as I thought the recharge over Easter would see me right.
I don't think I even could get a doctors appointment now.

It is attitudes like this that give teachers a bad name.

poppymatilda that’s brilliant. However our students with EHCP’s are both utterly fantastic but also angry, unpredictable and dangerous. And that’s with people they have built bonds with.

Why should you volunteer when trained professionals are paid to be at home with their families doing crafts?

I think it’s a very good idea to stay open and I know many of my colleagues feel the same. However we are also knacked and looking forward to the holidays.Exacerbated by some staff have off for two weeks already ;many just on the principle of isolation ie no symptoms, vulnerable family etc.

Forgive me if I am being thick or if it has already been posted further upthread, but are SEN schools closing altogether or will they too just be accepting pupils with parents/carers who are classed as key workers?

Thanks in advance.

Glorified childcare. Fuck me, imagine getting paid as usual to do less work than usual. This narcissistic, neo capitalist dystopia we’re in makes me sick.
Get over yourself @TimeforanotherChange

@alloutoffucks was that in response to my comment?

I am appalled by some of the attitudes on this thread.
I am fucked off that despite years of austerity and demonising, public sector workers and those in low paid roles like care workers and retail assistants are now all expected to pull together and face this head on despite the risks to ourselves and our families.
All of us that is except some teachers
Thank you to those of you who have some integrity. I fear for some children especially from deprived areas and pupil referral units. A break this big in their education will be devastating.

@FreakStar Isn't a rota going to lead to the pupils having a lot of mixed social interaction - multiple contacts with different teachers in the week? And maybe different groups of pupils depending on parents shift patterns.
I would not want my own dc going into that set up. The numbers would need to be kept really small to do this.
Some teachers might volunteer obviously those ones would then not be working at home to prepare work and liaise with pupils.
With so many told to work from home and stay away from other people, it's not hard to understand why teachers might also want to stay at home with their own children.

This is so important. All decisions here should be made on limiting he spread of he virus. Having a rota of teachers looking after a large group of children is madness. The smaller the group size, the better. 30 children across 5 schools will limit spread far more than 150 children (who wouldn't normally mix at all) all in one school.

Shift patterns is important too - hadn't thought about it before, but children of hospital staff need far more than 9-3 care, and schools could provide something more holistic.

I'll go in if I need to. I'm not sure what I'll do with my own two kids yet but even if I'm doing minibus pickups, or whatever, I will do my bit.

@TSSDNCOP It never even crossed my mind that I could do that! I'll be speaking to the relevant people at my school tomorrow. I'm a science technician but I would have no problem pitching in with the cleaners (I used to work on the team before I got this job) or in the kitchen or something. Thanks

LEELULUMPKIN

Special schools should be open for all pupils who have an ECHP and parents who are key staff. It remains to be seen how that works in practice. Our LA has already told heads other schools will be expected to support.

Who's going to provide childcare for the teachers' own children when they are not classed as key workers?

my children aren’t old enough for school. They are under 3 and so only in the care of a childminder who now isn’t working.

Surely, one of the purposes of closing schools is so that a greatly reduced number of staff will be needed to supervise the greatly reduced number of children. Therefore, I would assume they would make the younger teachers without children and the older ones with grown up children their first port of call.

Not particularly 'fair', of course, but this virus isn't 'fair' and we need to get on and do whatever we're in a position to contribute.

BJ didn't mention working through Easter?

I don’t think he did directly but I’m guessing it might be the case. I expect some key workers would have had grandparents lined up to have their dc but can’t do it now. Or NHS staff etc will not now be able to take the leave they had booked.

This idea of school staff being expected to bring their own children to work with them is what's worrying me. I don't know if this is what will happen but it's an idea that's being bandied about a lot. My DD is 6 yo. If I'm there to provide support to the "most vulnerable children" then in my school that would involve exposing her to high levels of self-harm, substance abuse, children involved in country lines criminal exploitation, children who display harmful sexual behaviours and children who can be very violent when they become distressed. I have no problem working with those children myself, in fact I find it highly rewarding. But I'm not prepared to have my 6 year old tag along while I do it and I am concerned that I may not be given any choice in the matter.

@qweryuiop I don't see why, they would have care already during those hours I would have thought, plus Easter care sorted by now?

Our LA plans to add Education to the list of key workers so that parents of school age children can continue to work

@cheekymango No we cross posted. It was in response to the OP.

I would guess that in these extraordinary times teachers would be allowed to take their children into their own schools?
And when emergency workers are having rest days and their leave cancelled probably best not to complain about maybe losing their 2 week Easter holiday. Yes you deserve them, yes teachers work really hard, but this is really a time to pull together and do your bit.

I’m in emergency services and have been back office for donkeys years ( I’m ancient) but I’m having to get my uniform out the loft and polish my boots in case I’m required to go ‘ front line’. I’m anxious and nervous but will do what I can.

Gavin Williamson said schools would remain open over Easter in his statement to the House of Commons.

Our special school has just announced its closed, presumably due to staff shortages, so any key workers with kids there are screwed.

@timeforanotherchange I am a nurse, if I have to clean the toilets I will do it!