Schools Reopening?

[Liveforever86]

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

It would be good for everyone to have a few weeks back before the end of the summer term rather than nothing until September. Just enough to re-establish school routines and check how everyone is - students and staff.

Personally I'd like schools to reopen after May half term. DS2 is year 6 so would hopefully mean he'll get some form or closure to primary and transition to Secondary ( he has some SEN so was due extra transition 🤦🏼‍♀️).

DS1 is , or was, year 11. I'd like him to still get his college days, long lazy summer, festival etc. Ready to start college in September.

I think realistically it'll be September before schools are back though.

Possibly after May half term, but I’m mentally preparing for September.

I think they need to go back for a few weeks this year, psychologically.

My daughter is in Y6 and there is so much important stuff at the end that requires minimum organisation (leavers church service, assembly, party, transition days to high school, sports day). They really need an ‘ending.’

I wouldn’t expect any education. I’d expect just something for their soul. It’s heartbreaking for them.

I’m not convinced head teachers or anyone have any more idea than the rest of us, since they found out schools were closing from the news like everyone else!

I was wondering if the summer holidays would be shortened at all (maybe by 2 weeks) as ours have 7 weeks off this year, but I suppose that wouldnt be fair on teachers.

Oooo I don't know. I don't think they will 'fully' reopen until September, even then I reckon there will be things put in place and it won't be 'normal'. I think perhaps in June there might be a staggered return, for secondary year 11s and 13s won't be back anyway, primary I'm not sure, maybe it would just be KS2 that returned? Spread out over classrooms. It would be good for year 6 to be back before summer if just so that aren't thrown into secondary school after months at home, but needs must.

If all goes well and the spread is limited, June after half term otherwise September.

I'm preparing myself for September though

Police offices, nurses and doctors in my area (SE London) have had their annual leave cancelled. And they are “contractually entitled” to that too - they are just accepting that this is a national crisis.

But they get paid for it, and they will be able to take it once this is over. Teachers don't get paid for it and wouldn't be able to recoup it.

I agree @Daffodil101

Yes that’s what I’m wondering about I know teachers mare working now there’s an expectation from the government that key workers will carry over annual leave due to the crisis. I thinking aloud but economically speaking it would be more beneficial to many people of schools reopened in July without an 6 week summer break. Depends on teachers contracts this may not be feasible but in this weird time I suppose they are exploring all sorts of options. If schools don’t reopen until sept and then there’s another closure for the second peak (Oct/Nov is predicted) that’s a lot people not able to work due to lack childcare, that’s a lot of school missed.
I don’t know what the best option is such a difficult time for everyone.

@justonesqaureofchocolate the difference it nurses and police officers will get their holidays but later. The government also need to factor in that teachers aren’t paid for their holidays so if they were making them work through the holidays they would have to pay for them.

Currently in our area schools are open for children of key workers over the Easter holidays, obviously teachers are not being paid for this but if you expect all teachers to come in, spending 50 hours plus a week working, meaning they will have to pay for their own childcare then we can’t expect them to do that unpaid.

Blob what if they did get paid for it though - the government are putting out different financial packages.

I hope it’s before September. It will be my NQT year in Sept and I will be thrown in the deep end having not taught properly for potentially the last three months of my PGCE.
But I will take whatever as long as it keeps people safe.

Possibly after may half term.
I keep losing track of what strategy the government is going for - was it waves of smaller peaks with several shutdowns as icu filled up. Or have they moved away from that.
The thing about Septembet is hispital admissions gor asthma peak in late sept/early october.

I think September but I’m hoping for May because DS is an only child and in Yr1 - it will take those kids a long while to settle back into school.

Imagine being aged 5 or 6 and not seeing any other children for 6 months!! We’re doing video calls with his friends but it’s hard

I think September
I’m really hoping for June or July. I think it would be good for the kids to go back even if it was 2-3 weeks just to see their friends and get a bit of routine back

Grasspigeons you are spot on with September being asthma peak. That’s a huge worry!! (I hadn’t thought about that)

@Bewareoftheblob teachers don't lose pay for the holidays, unless they're supply. It's TAs and other schools staff that have their pay scaled down for term-time only working.

If they go back first of June then they can get a good 7 weeks of education? It would help the economy/ their eduction/ social interaction significantly

The economy can't cope with schools being closed til September. Teachers will have to suck it up like the rest of us.

I think earliest september

I thought they said September when they first said schools were going to close (in England).

bewareoftheblob

I wouldn’t be so sure .....the government are about to push through more ‘emergency’ legislation which includes a bill that means they can order schools to stay open ....one has to wonder why would that be necessary?? We are already open for childcare and working the Easter holidays so why do they need this legislation?

Teachers aren’t paid for holidays but we have our salary split into twelve equal parts to make living our lives easier.