The exit plan and schools.

[NeverGuessWho]

I know this whole thread will be hearsay, but I’m just interested in hearing people’s opinions of where schools are likely to fit in to the exit plan?

A friend thinks they will be opened early on, as this will free up more people to work, and hence enable furloughed workers to return to work. This will crucially save money.

IMHO, schools will be one of the last restrictions to be lifted. Once schools are opened, there will effectively be multiple mass gatherings in every town and city, all at the same time. Surely this will result in a surge of cases of the virus.

Unless of course, they pursue the antibodies/certified passport route?

What do people think?

Our school is using video or sound only. Not all teachers want their face on the screen. The main reason was that when it was trialled just before we broke up, pupils screenshot the teachers faces and turned the screenshots into gifs/memes that were uploaded to the internet.

One of the memes was a very smiley male teacher and a reference to the joys of teaching young girls. Forever shared on Facebook and Instagram poor sod.

The Guardian is reporting that Dominic Raab suggested restrictions will continue for another 4 weeks which would take us to 11th May and 2 weeks before half term (in England), so similarly to cantkeepaway I'm speculating a phased return from mid-may with everyone in from 1st June. Hopefully there are plans for mass testing to happen concurrently, as is the case in France's exit strategy. Not holding my breath with that one though.

Half the cabinet want it lifted first bank holiday in May ( including the pm) the other want the last bank holiday in May.
China has now reported more cases after lifting some of their restrictions and both Italy and Spain have started to lift theirs partially. We would be wise to see what happens in all 3 places in next few weeks. Testing will never be up to the testing taking place in those countries. Open too early can have huge consequences. The real death toll much higher as figures are lagged. I would rather wait to be sure than open up too soon.

@EYProvider

Oh dear! I’m either going to have to film myself at each set lesson and teach fully remotely or the schools will have to be immediately reopened!!!!! 😬

EYP! I didn’t realise you were now in charge!

How about no to both 😏. But I’ll tell you what I’ll do!...I’ll follow my school’s instructions as far as providing an education is concerned and I’ll follow the governments instructions as to when the schools go back.

I find it so funny how you stamped your feet and told me as a teacher, ‘it’ll be either this way or this way’...when you have absolute no say and no impact on any form of decision made. Your comments are about as influential as the banana sat decaying in the fruit bowl, that I’m about to throw out.

To be fair I don't think anyone knows what Boris thinks now.

It would be a massive ‘fuck you’ to the HCPs that looked after him to reopen too early.

www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-stop-speculation-about-schools-reopening

That's a great letter. I hope it gets a reply that answers all the questions.

I was emailed that NEU letter earlier-they are asking members to sign it in support.

@Appuskidu I never get texts or emails from them! Ah well I'm pleased I've seen it now