Schools

[Carrotcakeforbreakfast]

I know this has been done 1000 times but my search function isn't working.

With the extended lockdown and daily numbers, when do you think the schools are likely to go back.
I believe lockdown won't end anytime soon but just wondering if anyone thinks schools opening will have changed?

See ya on the other side @Snog!

And I'm always around should you decide to let us know what you personally are doing during this pandemic to support our nation.

Snog you’re being ridiculous and are clearly cherry picking the posts you read and reply to.

Not sure August will technically be the middle of the pandemic either unless you can see into the future. It’s 5 months away.

@DoubleTweenQueen I do free with your thoughts on how lockdown should be eased. Slowly rather than all at once seems like the best way in terms of transmission rates are low.

@Barbie222 you make really good points about out of school provides and I hadn't thought of those. I think that's because by school provides in house summer and holiday care.

I'm saying that the upper years within a secondary setting should be prioritised as schools phase back, over the next 6-10 months. That doesn't affect the eyfs, ks1 or. 2 which are usually in a different school and can be prioritised differently.

@BertNErnie yeah I know a lot of people in that sector. It's been a really scary time. It's an economy all of its own.

Some primary teachers who have their own children have even been posting about how they are enjoying providing 1-2-1 private education for their own kids.

I don’t begrudge them this time at all, for the no doubt very few that are getting it. Before schools closed they were risking their lives and that of their families every day to turn up and teach our kids. They work much longer hours than they’re paid for, and at my DC school they were deep cleaning their own classrooms before they re-opened for key worker kids. Also them being happy they can teach their own kids, doesn’t mean they’re not working in the evenings etc.

*Snog

I value the role of teachers in our society but not the entitled and selfish attitudes of some individuals who cannot see beyond their entitlement to have a 6 week break whatever the consequences for society.
*
What utter tosh . (Disclaimer - I am not a teacher and I have a child still at school).

The selfishness here is obvious to see - and it's NOT the teachers. It's the ongoing, constant moaning from certain parents who just can't cope with their OWN children and EXPECT other adult humans to look after them for them. Whilst risking their lives.

The reality here is that so far - parents have had to look after their own kids for TWO WHOLE WEEKS more than they would normally do. Seriously.. TWO WEEKS not 6 fucking months like some make it sound like.

This is a pandemic- in case you hadn't noticed. A real, full on, killer. Having to look after your own children in order to both be safe and NOT kill other people is not much to ask.

Kids AREN'T 'losing out in their education' !!

This implies some are gaining an advantage ! They are not. Every child is in exactly the same boat . The only difference being the amount of self study and parental input they receive. That has nothing to do with teachers. That is an inequality that is exactly the same in term time.

I suggest anyone expecting a teacher to give up their summer break 'for the greater good' start reading some books and curriculum resource and YOU crack on with it through the summer break... or alternatively. Let everyone enjoy a time to relax with friends and company (if we are allowed to do so) after a very difficult time.

Teachers why are you justifying yourselves to such idiots? You are allowing them to wind you up, ignore them and let the fish wives rant to each other.

It’s like the old saying:
Arguing with idiots is like wrestling a pig. You both end up covered in mud and the pig enjoys it.

I too would like to know what Snog does for a living and what hours they are working for free to help.

Surely nobody thinks the teachers won't be paid for the 6 weeks holiday if required to work it ?

Have you met this government?
Also, teachers get a pay cheque at the end of July and August. Teachers pay is split over 12 months. Not to justify anything but just pointing out that teachers aren’t broke over the summer.

@FlamingoAndJohn

Apparently the government is doing an amazing job and anyone that doubts this is scaremongering and full of shit.
Some people will always welcome extra income even with the split over 12 months. And then there's supply teachers. I've been a cover supervisor, a degree and DBS was the only qualification required, plenty of people with those I'm sure.
I don't think schools opening is a good idea at all though.

A big issue here is that it's not acknowledged that schools have only been closed for the majority of pupils for 10 school days. That's it. Like most schools, mine remains open and just because you might not see the staff with your own eyes, doesn't mean they aren't there. Fyi, try and explain social distancing to a five year old who needs their orange peeled for snack time - and that's just at the minute. Social distancing cannot happen in schools. At all. The Easter break was already a scheduled closure, not Covid induced.

Whoever said that teachers on their social media were posting about indulging on Netflix, if that is true (unlikely) then good luck to them because, newsflash, they aren't paid for the break. Most teachers, myself included, have worked the entire break because we actually care for our pupils and want them to do well. We also recognise that learning at home is limited to the activities that they can complete within their setting. Home learning is not a replacement for the classroom and it shouldn't be deemed as such.

The children's needs are extremely important. Opening schools in August to create a 13 week half term would be horrific, they would be on their knees and by the end of that time, they wouldn't be in their best learning headspace anyway! Let's not forget that the children aren't having a jolly at home, they are on lockdown too. Their summer holiday break may include many play dates, trips to the seaside and the freedom they need that they too do not have access to at the moment.

There are many lessons that can be taught at home that are not on a maths or English worksheet. Teach them to sew a hem or button on a shirt, bake, different ingredients for cooking, go through their toys and find out what they'd like to donate, showing them to always keep on top of this, sorting washing, folding. Education has not been lost.

@ChrissieKeller61. I’ve been thinking about supply teachers in all of this. I bet plenty of them are getting desperate for the money by now.
When I did supply I used to get about 4 days work a week. To suddenly have that taken away would be terrifying.

Why is the concern always “When will the schools open?” And never, “Once the schools open how will we keep teachers and students safe?”

Or, what is best for the children.

The questions being asked by the NEU do exactly that Corbyn - very sensible, practical questions. That’s what people should focus on. Schools will reopen - it just needs to be in a way that keeps the school and wider community as safe as possible.

Thanks @Smile I’m UCU and we’re asking similar questions

FT article for those who can access it on Denmark going back and how that is going digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/FTUK/Default.aspx

"Starting on Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of under-12s returned to classrooms that are both familiar and different. Schools have been left to decide themselves how to manage the main requirement — that pupils are kept 2m apart. Classes have been split in two, with one teacher for every 10 or 11 students. Children are sent outside as much as possible, even for some classes, and play exclusively in subgroups of students from their class to limit the risk of spreading the virus."

I saw the pictures @xenia . Wonder if we will be the same - school life will look very different for a while, I think. It's sad to see them sitting alone and unable to play with other classes. I suppose that's an adults interpretation though. The children are likely just pleased to be back.

Xenia I can't see the article but I have wondered if when schools go back I'd it will be school, but not as we know it.

Part time school so less dc in perhaps. Children kept in their class groups and not allowed to mix with other classes, staggered playtimes perhaps.

Children are going to be the most difficult to socially distance. It does sadden me because anything children enjoy such as soft play, trampolining, swimming, playgrounds are all going to be things where social distancing is impossible

Xenia - it looks like a good suggestion of how to open schools safely. I wonder how big the classes were in denmark before the pandemic. Its just we'd need another 2 teachers for each class of 30 or to reduce the amount of time in school so the same teacher took one batch of 10, then the next, then the next. I also wonder what their buildings are like. I worked out we could only have half the school on site to maintain the social distancing. Like many problems there are solutions but they are best created by people who know the building and staff availability and how to educate (i dont know that bit). It might have to be with the staffing levels and buildings we have in the uk its a return to part time school. My son was in a classroom built for 30, but had 37 sat in last year.

We’re doing that already with a tiny number of key worker kids and it’s hard enough. Factor in rain, lack of outdoor space for many schools and 100s of kids in already cramped schools and you’ve got a nightmare to manage.

In theory it seems like a good way to get schools back up and running and ensuring staff are safe.

The only concern is in the UK, we currently have 1 teacher for usually 30 children. This means we would need to hire an additional 8 teachers (if you are a 2 form entry school from R-6) in order to have 15 per class instead and find an additional 8 spaces to double up as classrooms and the additional tables and chairs and equipment etc.

My question is about those who are in early years.

Take our nursery and reception - the youngest learners learn through play and so not spend time sat down at desks learning the more typical way you might see in KS1 and above. They play with a myriad of resources and we encourage them to explore and lead their own learning. In the nursery to often seems chaotic but if you study closely all children are purposeful in their play and the adults skilfully dip in and out of interactions to scaffold and extend learning.

We have a number of toileting accidents each day which need sorting and there are also various falls etc for which sometimes only a cuddle will do.

I'm all for going back if it's safe but I'm not prepared to make my nursery or reception pupils sit at desks and learn in a way that is completely unnatural for them which is why a lot of teachers are not asking for schools to remain shut indefinitely, but for us to have sufficient plans and such in place in order to make sure we can continue to teach whilst remaining safe.

The children are likely just pleased to be back.

Some of our young key worker children are finding the social distancing quite unsettling in school. The teaching staff are doing their very best to keep them safe and happy, but it is really hard. The 6 and 7 year olds have a bit more understanding but the 4 year olds from Reception are quite subdued being in a small class size with mixed age groups and often an unfamiliar teacher from another year goup, sat at separate desks, having their own named tubs of items to use, etc.

And their parens are unsettled too. They are grateful for the provision but its not normal school in any sense. We are trying to add photographs of the children busy at work, looking happy and smily to be able to reassure them that we are doing our best to keep the children happy.