Schools closed, what next?

[Sparklypurpleunicornsaremyfav]

So they've just announced schools are closing which I have to admit has made me feel better but I work in retail, non essential and come in close and physical contact with customers. As of yet we aren't being given any precautions to take to minimise the spread of the virus. I'm scared that I don't know who I'm coming into contact with, before anyone says anything I don't for one second think anyone would deliberately come into store knowing they'd had contact with the virus. But it still worries me what I could bring home. So when do you think or will they close shops like mine?

Ok, I'm confused... My 5 year old has an EHCP, does he have to continue attending does anyone know?

my cousin works with kids in domestic violance and neglect situations.where the children are literally alive due to school.she is petrified.and has work to do.her own shindlers list she said today.because in social services in her area is shit.and they just wont put them on the threshhold for vulnerable because half the parents are bloody good liars hence why they are still able to live at home and why she is so bloody grateful she can get them into the schools!.she fears or there safety and lives tonight and that is no overstatement.

What I'm curious about is how they will decide which children can stay. For example if a child has mum and dad, say mum is a nurse and dad is a general office worker so not key, will that child still go to school or would the non-key worker parent be expected to take the time off/work from home.

I've already seen a few people on Sm say 'oh it's fine mine will still go in because mum/dad is a teacher/nurse' but the other parent is not a key worker.

Would they still need supply teachers to come in if teachers themselves are off ill or self isolating but their schools are still open?

What about fsm children. They get free lunches for a reason.

Thai has raised more questions than answers....

If the children with ECHPs are in then presumably their 1-2-1 staff should be too (if they have one)?

What about special schools? Presumably all of their children will still be in which in itself is confusing as many of these children also have underlying health issues?

Do I teach the key worker children at my school or the children at home online? Or both? Or neither?!! Will my own children be in school with me or go to their own schools?

I guess primarily we're there to take care (eg babysit) keyworkers' / vulnerable children. If educators, I'm assuming that many schools will only have a handful of children in each class & we'll have to put them together. This throws up even more issues...

I think this has answered some vital problems about keeping important services running but has thrown up a whole raft of unknowns....will certainly be interesting.

@LoseLooseLucy I think, but confirmation will come tomorrow, it's more that he can still go to school if needed. It won't be compulsory from what I've read

Thank you lyralalala.

I think a lot of parents have already taken children out of school. My DGD lives rurally and in her primary school class yesterday only 16 of the 28 children attended.

So I don't think that many parents will send their kids unnecessarily.

But who knows how people will behave!

Just think it's a bit more serious to not be able to sit exams than miss a school prom.

What I'm curious about is how they will decide which children can stay. For example if a child has mum and dad, say mum is a nurse and dad is a general office worker so not key, will that child still go to school or would the non-key worker parent be expected to take the time off/work from home.

From the way Boris said that on Monday all schools will be open, but as the finer details are sorted out of who needs to be there less schools will be open because resources will be pooled. I think that in each area one or two schools will end up open for this and I think working out who is entitled will be part of that. I don't think children who have a non-key worker parent will be entitled

I guess primarily we're there to take care (eg babysit) keyworkers' / vulnerable children. If educators, I'm assuming that many schools will only have a handful of children in each class & we'll have to put them together. This throws up even more issues...

The plan is to mix schools together once the small numbers are cleared up so there certainly won't be lots of proper teaching going on as it'll be too complicated

Kids just need to learn shit happens. At least they will be excited to have all that time off.

Younger kids might be, my DS is year 10 and he is not impressed that it's come to this, he's supportive of his school and the teachers but hates the situation.

So I don't think that many parents will send their kids unnecessarily.

I agree

There will also be people who qualify who won't send them - for example my SIL is a single parent who works in ICU. Her kids are coming to stay with us for the duration so that'll be 4 kids whose school will be expecting them, but won't have them. That will be repeated across the board.

My DS is in a PRU and half the DCs (including him) have EHCPs and the other half don't. The HT says she will remain open until told to close because her pupils are so vulnerable - I don't know if she'll have discretion for vulnerable pupils with no EHCP.

I am a teacher. We are carrying on with learning via online platforms. Work will be taught, set and marked as usual. We may be physically closed to some students but we are very much open for learning!

Staff will be in school to cover keyworkers children and vulnerable children who will also be given the same work as the students not on the premises

Give it time and a plan will be made for those who should have been sitting exams.

This will different, inconvenient, challenging but ok

My primary school children's school have fully prepared for school closure, they have an online facility and have sent everyone home with a complete home learning pack, I think my Yr 10 has online resources. He's devastated as he's only just been allowed back into some lessons with his broken leg.
Not sure why somebody thought I worked in a supermarket, more of a considered luxury/gift environment. Like I said non essential, I'd definitely consider supermarkets and they're amazing staff as essential!

I don't for one second think anyone would deliberately come into store knowing they'd had contact with the virus.

Really? I absolutely believe people would do that.

I don't know what proof will be required re parents jobs? I think there will be a lot of lying going on, particularly with those who are Key Workers but the child's other parent is not and really shouldn't be going to work.

Yes I think teachers and TAs will be classed a key workers

Not so sure. They were just saying on the BBC news channel that contracted TAs might not be kept on. That's my job gone then.

I too am so sorry to all those working in schools who work so hard to see the kids through such an important time. I can't imagine how hard it would be after all your unfailing dedication to see it taken away in this way.

This morning, I took the decision to take my kids out as we have a family member at home with serious health problems. However tonight my DC broke down and begged me not to keep him from school. I never thought I would have to explain, why DC shouldn't go to school. My heart is breaking for them. DC listed all the wonderful things the school have lined up for them after SATS, before they all go their separate ways. He is sobbing asking me to please let him spend the last couple of days there in case he never gets to say a proper goodbye to his teachers and friends.

I don't for one second think anyone would deliberately come into store knowing they'd had contact with the virus.

You'd be amazed how many people are saying "oh I've just got a cold" even when they have a temperature or a cough. Technically their whole family should be self-isolating for 14 days but they aren't because it's "just a cold."

They'll be back in in 4/5 weeks...

Kids just need to learn shit happens. At least they will be excited to have all that time off.

My kids learned that shit bloody happens September 4th 2010 and February 22 2011. They learned it fricking damned well.

I am bloody gutted that they're learning it again. Once again, they've been knocked down, and they've got to get up again.

No, they're not excited about the time off - they love school, they love working hard, they love achieving. My daughter has been working so bloody hard for her GCSE's, and now it's gone. Taken from her. She's been robbed. By the virus. She's got no prom. She's got no yearbook. I had this happen in 2010/2011 with doing my degree, so I know how she's feeling. It bloody sucks. It makes you feel 'what's the point?'

@Whatersname177 thank you so much for your beautiful post. I showed that to my daughter who was just asking how her teachers are feeling right now. She welled up.

My yr 10 child is gutted. He was meant to take one gcse this year and had just done brilliantly in his last mock.

He is also very upset about potentially missing a full term of course work. He'll work hard at home but it's not the same

I work in a second school (not a Teacher) and I've been told I'm expected to work from home in the event of closure. But I have a primary school aged child and a toddler. So I have no idea how I'm going to work from home whilst looking after one child I'm also expected to home-school and one who is still at that stage where you need eyes in the back of your head! I don't think it's doable and realistically the school aren't going to pay me to look after my own kids, potentially for months so I imagine that's my job gone

It’s sad for those who have to miss exams and proms but understandable and to be honest, controlling this pandemic is more important. However, it is absolutely shattering for those children who don’t meet ‘vulnerable’ status or are living in chaotic homes. My heart breaks for them. I wish I could do something to help those situations