Schools Reopening?

[Liveforever86]

When do you honestly think it will happen? And when do you want it to happen?!

*Could you explain how a school runs with

• 1 cleaner (all others vulnerable)
• less than half the teachers (all others vulnerable)
• few than half the TAs, including none of those who work with the most challenging children with EHCPs (all others vulnerable)*

The same way all private businesses are running, with difficulty but making it work and not moaning as there’s no other choice

The antibody test will be available next week and rolled out after the NHS testing.

Where did you read that? My understanding was that it was weeks away due to need for verification and regulatory approval?

The antibody test will be available next week and rolled out after the NHS testing.

Do you have a source for this (I don't mean this in a shitty way by the way!)

I thought September originally but as so many continue to break the rules it'll probably be later.

Remember to practice social self-distancing and remain at least one meter away from any mirror.

I don’t understand the point in schools being open over the summer. Parents are used to them being off, I see no reason for that to change?

I think schools will need to extend who can send their kids, ( I wish people would stop saying reopen, they are not closed,), and for folks who have a parent at home or wish to keep kids at home they are requested to do so, only those kids with both parents working to go in.

I have just spoken to my GP who confirmed the antibody is being rolled out, and I should be able to have a test in 2-3 weeks. I am a keyworker but not front line. NHS workers will be first in line, of course, and keyworkers after that. It is very good news for all of us!

making it work and not moaning as there’s no other choice

I am not moaning. However, as a teacher I would strongly prefer my workplace not to be dangerous for everyone there.

A school with almost 100% of its children and less than 50% of its staff would be dangerous.

So they don’t miss quite as many months of formal education? It’s not rocket science, is it?!

cant do you work in school and in no rush to return? You are being very negative.

No one is suggesting 100% attendance and 50% staff, although at a push anything can be done, even if the children are all learning together in assembly halls.

If you have no wish to return then maybe look for another job, but please stop with the negativity. Have you considered the impact of a very long lockdown on the children? I am only hearing your own needs on this thread.

I originally though it would be september but the more I read about the epodemiological modelling the more I think they could return after the summer half term. I think schools may then only go back for half a term next autumn before the next wave of the virus in october/november.

I have added a link for those interested, my GP has been told the antibody test is now ready to go.

www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-epidemic/uk-epidemic-is-slowing-and-antibody-test-could-be-ready-in-days-top-epidemiologist-says-idUSKBN21H0SA

That’s brilliant news @cornishdreams1

I agree with all your points and they make more sense that the finger in the air that the September predictions are based on.

The government will not only be considering the health risks to the children from coronavirus, but the health risks to the children staying at home in lockdown for an extended period.
The mental health toll, those children in poverty, and the education fallout should not be underestimated.

I think teachers should be prepared to work in August. They are not all working now providing childcare at all. It's a few teachers. Every other business has to work around this but teachers always seem to push back. I work in a local authority and we all have had to make changes. You do what's best for everyone in these times not 'sorry my contract says no' .

Arlene Foster said 16 weeks not long before schools closed. That would take us to the first week of July. If there are enough healthy staff, we could see schools reopening for a few weeks before the summer holidays (in England) which would allow for transition stuff and maybe some assessment of what students have done whilst they have been off. I think this is probably the best case scenario we can hope for right now.

We have been told to plan for a full term of "home learning" though, and our school was another one that had to do a partial closure the week before last due to the number of staff off.

Another problem that I haven't seen mentioned with a phased return over the summer holidays is that teachers who are on year long contracts, or those with new jobs already lined up for September will have their contract end on August 31st. I imagine less teachers will be moving around than in previous years, but there will still be some movement, with staff leaving and new staff joining. Having this happen during a phased return to school would probably be quite unsettling for kids in secondary, and HUGELY unsettling in primary where students are mostly with 1/2 class teachers most of the time.

As a teacher I am going in over Easter to look after children of key workers (not every day but on a rota). I will also do this over other holidays, bank holidays and weekends if it is needed. However, I'm not convinced that restarting the school term during the summer holidays would be in the best interests of children (it will be a very long term and leave them exhausted if nothing else).

I predict we’ll be back in June. Not Year 11/13 though. Just sorting everything going forward and the transitions for September would be a lot easier with students in school, and it will get the economy moving again.

We have to remember any future waves will peak at much less than this one. So the impact will be less.

It’s about controlling the spread until a vaccine is available . Not shutting everyone away and hammering the economy until next year.

They are not all working now providing childcare at all. It's a few teachers.

What do you think the others are doing? Loads are working from home. Dh is enjoying working his contracted hours rather than double what he’s paid for but he’s still in the office from 8-4.30 every day.

dela I am very much looking forward to the test, this is truly a game changer for all of us.
I am sure I have had CV and I can really step up my support of the NHS after the test, I can work longer hours and cover others, all in the knowledge that I am unlikely to be ill.

Thank you @cornishdreams1 for your kind words x

I'm hoping they could return after May half term and then those leaving their schools/nursery/preschool will at least get a chance to say goodbye to their friends and teachers.

I dont see why they can't shorten the summer holidays to 4 weeks. Yes teachers will miss some holiday but maybe they can figure out some compensation. I'm a nurse and all our leave has been cancelled the only agreement is it can be carried over for 2 years but only taken when your manager agrees

Wouldn’t it make sense to shorten the summer holiday and add a couple of weeks on in December or whenever the second wave will peak? Then teachers wouldn’t lose holidays..

@cornishdreams1 what a relief it will be to know whether you’ve had it or not. And for all NHS/ key workers/ teachers. Definitely a game changer to how this pandemic will be managed.

This situation changes so quickly, the models change weekly. But I think a staggered return in June with a slightly shorter summer holiday is the most likely. Especially with the antibody test and what we know about children not being as affected.

The same way all private businesses are running, with difficulty but making it work and not moaning as there’s no other choice

You can’t open schools with inadequate staffing.

I think it’s likely to be September, I’m hoping for end June / July just because DS1 is year 6 and I don’t want him to miss leaver’s assembly and all those experiences.

I’m furloughed at the moment and tbh enjoying the break from the normal routine of 3 kids out the door by 7.30am and the rush to do everything and get them to bed in time in the evening.