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The List of Keyworkers is here

294 replies

noblegiraffe · 20/03/2020 00:17

The long-awaited list of keyworkers who will be expected to continue to send their children to school is here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Tbh it seems that it would have been quicker to list people who aren’t keyworkers. It’s going to be way more than schools were expecting and I’m not sure how we’ll cope.

OP posts:
Xenia · 20/03/2020 08:08

I remain of the view closing schools was a bad idea. This list makes that even more likely to be the case. It also confirms in my view that private schools and private nurseries staying open will be allowed to do so and should do so.

Ironfloor269 · 20/03/2020 08:11

So I'm support staff at a school. According to this list, my daughter is entitled to a school place. However, according to the list sent out by her school, she's not.

Also, if I don't go in to work, I might get a disciplinary. But government is also urging those parents who can keep their children at home to do so. My husband is working from home for now but might not be for long.

So what the fuck am I supposed to do?

Casino218 · 20/03/2020 08:11

We are technically both on list but I won't be sending her. It's just going to be a glorified kids club and they will not be covering the curriculum anyway.

Caspianberg · 20/03/2020 08:24

Re finance - our banks here are technically 'open', but you have to call to arrange an appointment and will be let in at your allocated time to talk to someone. So day to day general banking is all online, or via the bank deposit boxes, and you can only see someone by appointment. Things like appointments for a new mortgage aren't happening as not 'essential'. So again, there is hardly any staff actually in the bank.

Someone asked if teenagers are going out and about here with friends. No they aren't. Everyone seems to be sticking to the rules, which are outside in local area only for short walks for essential exercise, and only alone or with members of your household. So they can pretty much only go for a walk with siblings or parents.

And yes, not all schools will be open, as others have said, after the first day or so they will establish who is where, and then filter the kids who need essential childcare into a reduced number of schools, they won't all stay open.

If a school has usually 6 year groups, 2 classes per year, thats approx 12 teachers and 12 TAs at least. so 24 staff. They will only need 4-6 staff to start with all year groups together playing, and reduce if only say 10 pupils attend. Out of the 24 staff, those with no dependents will be asked to volunteer first, then those with a partner who can stay home. Only after that will parents who require childcare themselves be needed. So most teachers with own children will not be working in the schools, they will be the first sent home to prep online stuff.

DakotaFanny · 20/03/2020 08:33

My concern is that with so many kids in school, potentially, teachers won’t have the time to try and plug the gap for those kids who are at home trying to do work. I think Year 10 and year 12s will also really suffer for this. They are already going to miss, probably, a sixth of their education, and teachers won’t have time to try and help them through.

Falacy · 20/03/2020 08:35

@Ironfloor269 So what the fuck am I supposed to do?

You follow the guidelines and keep your child at home with your DH who is working from home.

I'd like to know why the fuck people keep thinking guidelines don't apply, specifically, to them?

FourTeaFallOut · 20/03/2020 08:44

I hate to say it but my dc's class WhatsApp group does seem to be full of people who intend to send in their child to school even in two parent households with only one key worker. I don't think the school has a chance unless they have the power to put their foot down about it.

alloutoffucks · 20/03/2020 08:54

@fourtea That does not surprise me one little bit.

alloutoffucks · 20/03/2020 08:56

@xenia Are you sending your DC to school now that being a lawyer is seen as an "essential" worker.

moochpooch · 20/03/2020 08:58

@FourTeaFallOut the key word is intend.

Ironfloor269 · 20/03/2020 09:00

@Falacy of course I'm not sending my child to school as long as my husband works from home. But what happens after that?
Do I:

  • risk losing my job?
  • take my child to school with me (her school is not the same as mine)?
  • leave a 9 year old alone at home?

By the way, my school says I'm on the key worker list so should be sending her to school.

If push comes to shove, I'd rather lose my job than send her to school. I hate that the decision is left for us.

KoalasandRabbit · 20/03/2020 09:04

Husband's job is on that list, it's not a job but we won't be taking up the school places. Would imagine lots of families have one parent in those, plus the vulnerable children. Feel for the teachers and those who will be affected by coronavirus because we haven't really shut schools all.

Hercwasonaroll · 20/03/2020 09:08

By the way, my school says I'm on the key worker list so should be sending her to school.

That is NOT how the list works. School is an absolute last resort for children of key workers with no other options.

Falacy · 20/03/2020 09:24

@Ironfloor269 why would you lose your job or leave a 9 year old home all day alone?

I am totally struggling to see what it is you're not grasping?

If you have someone at home, keep them home. If there is no possible way to keep them home, you send them to school.

By the way, my school says I'm on the key worker list so should be sending her to school.

No. You're picking and choosing what parts of the guidelines apply.

I'll copy and paste so it's very clear for you...

every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

&

If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.

How is this unclear for you? When DH is at home they stay at home. If this changes, they go to school.

Parkandride · 20/03/2020 09:28

For teachers worrying about double workload, surely the vulnerable staff who have to self isolate but who are NOT ill will deal with the e learning.
This will then leave those still able to work to deal with the children physically in front of them

Caspianberg · 20/03/2020 09:30

Almost all court cases and law related things have been postponed here btw, so a lawyer although on 'key list' would only be needed if they are working on something like key changes in law related to the corona outbreak.

KoalasandRabbit · 20/03/2020 09:59

Is it all children on the SN register or just those with EHCPs? We have one with SN, no EHCP, am not sending them in as I'm at home but if it's anyone on SN register that's quite a few too. Though maybe we will get some government clarification - any child with EHCP, any child on SN register or anyone who's ever met a child with SN.

And is it teaching these children are getting or childcare?

Angryrant55 · 20/03/2020 10:00

A lot of criminal solicitors will be needed to deal with people still being arrested and having bail hearings.

Angryrant55 · 20/03/2020 10:05

I noticed sale of Veterinary medicine but not vets - seems an odd oversight.

Xenia · 20/03/2020 10:08

"@xenia Are you sending your DC to school now that being a lawyer is seen as an "essential" worker."

If people don't think law and order is essential I am not sure what else is? It is really important. When society breaks down and looters come out and the police have to tear gas people (I am not saying that will happen) particularly as luckily we have a Prime Minster who very much believes in freedom and personal liberty and not forcing people it is lawyer who protect us (and the police).

My children are at university stage or older and I never used a private nursery only a daily nanny who came to our house each day and only private schools so not the same issues as other working parents.

I can see a big issue above - a home school Chinese type programme could be great for children with teachers doing each lesson - French at 9.30am then 10am you move to maths with homework to be done by the next day and emailed over.... very good which is what the private schools are doing as parents pay fees. However if teachers are minding children of key workers and those with special needs they will not be available to give any kind of education to children at all. It is badly planned. I would have kept schools open.

alloutoffucks · 20/03/2020 10:09

Yes criminal solicitors needed to be included. But that is a small section of lawyers.

alloutoffucks · 20/03/2020 10:11

@xenia since you have talked multiple times about earning well over £100k, I think £200k, then you are not a criminal lawyer. They are usually the poorest paid lawyers.

TSSDNCOP · 20/03/2020 10:14

It’s true. Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer is clearly just scraping by Grin

Xenia · 20/03/2020 10:14

I didn't think we were talking about me. The list is difficult to interpret and is going to open a can of worms. I agree lots of criminal lawyers are poorly paid although perhaps not those at some firms which do white collar crime and even some QCs doing criminal work on legal aid are not that badly paid but nor are leading respiratory surgeons who have no one at home to mind the children who might well want a place at school too for the children.

Jessuk86 · 20/03/2020 10:17

I haven't read all the comments but just as a suggestion if you are a key worker who has a partner who earns more and would like to continue working why not contact some local childminders I know mine is offering ti help keyworkers as they are the only children she can have at the moment. I'm fortunate as an nhs employee money can still go to the childminder as they are both preschool age so it suits us all right now but of course may change depending on the situation but just thinking outside the box. But could be a solution for some if its allowed. Do feel for the people who dont have a keyworker so will get no help childcare wise it must be very worrying financially.

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