Government reportedly considering schools going back in 3 weeks

[FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue]

On BBC News 24 now, article in tomorrow's Sunday Times says that ministers are considering schools going back in three weeks time. Plus allowing some shops and social gatherings, but not pubs and clubs.

Also, if the purpose of opening primary schools is so that their parents can work (Ie the economy) what would be the point in allowing different age groups in on different days to enable social distancing.

Any families with more than one child would probably end up with one kid home and one kid at school each day!

And we all know that primary school kids can’t do social distancing anyway!

Keyword CONSIDERING

Surely primary schools is because the classes are primarily in one room, and with one set of teachers and TAs. Obviously the playground, assemblies and toilets don't fit into that, but easier to try and have even a small amount of control over that. Secondary where you can have 5 different classes a day, all moving around classrooms and with different groups of peers every lesson is much higher risk. Plus many can look after themselves at home I guess when 11+.

Secondary kids are also rubbish at social distancing. They crowd corridors, they are stuffed into small classrooms and they group. I’ve also got 29 year 10s, 32 year 7s and no other year group class of less than 25.

I have said this before on here, but if they do they need to hand control if the school actually opens to headteachers who, somehow, figure out which teachers are happy to come in and how many pupils are going to come in.

If they did do it that soon, I think schools would still be run as, I am assuming they are being run for keyworker children at the moment.

I don;t believe the government can say, schools are open off you all go, teachers tough shit.

It needs a lot more planning, absence records thrown in the bin and it up to A, the teachers, B the headteacher and C the parents.

It needs to be a combined effort as well, there is no way you can open up businesses again without some sort of plan saying what is going to happen to children if there is no sort of childcare/school

I'll believe it when it happens. It's way too soon.
Possibly june though.

Shame it's not year 9. We've had the virus so I'd like her to go back to school.

The gov seem very clear about not publishing an exit strategy at the moment. (I actually don’t have an issue with this I would rather we wait and see what happens with other countries in the next few weeks - what works and doesn’t).

If they do open schools there will be massive logistics (especially if children are on a rota etc). Parents would need to be contacted. Rooms turned round etc. Some schools will be able to turn this round quicker then others (smaller schools, schools with more space), hiring agency staff (to cover vacancies if staff are shielding). Unless the government publishes an exit strategy in the next few days (which seems unlikely), can’t see anything happening this side of half term.

Nicola sturgeon has effectively rubbished it for Scotland (based on the daily mail front page).

England may be different, but scottish schools close at the end of june anyway, I cant see them going back before August. Perhaps our different school holidays are finally an advantage outwith cheaper flights....

Too soon. I won’t be sending mine back in 3 weeks. What are we meant to do if we have a vulnerable person/child in our house if this happens?

Oh honestly, I despair of the newspapers in this country sometimes.

Government ministers consider all sorts of issues all the time. That's their job.

Just because they may be talking about it as one of many possible options, it doesn't mean we can assume that it's going to happen any time soon.

Does the government want under 70s with increased risks (diabetes, hypertension, lung conditions, autoimmune, overweight, etc) to die? That's millions of people in the UK. Including teachers and other school staff, and children. Covid running unchecked through the population would cause far greater economic damage than any short-term disruption. It won't make us an attractive trading partner either. Who would want to do business with us? The countries considering a return to school locked down far earlier than us and many with stricter rules. We're already on course to have the highest death rate in Europe.

What are we meant to do if we have a vulnerable person/child in our house if this happens?

Keep the vulnerable child at home and follow the info in the shielding letter.

I think a phased approach is looming, maybe not altogether guided by the government. Having seen prior to the lockdown about 50% of our parents keeping their children off school in the weeks prior to the schools closing, I would expect the same IF they re-open prior to September, which would would help with social distancing. But.... I don't think they will open before September. Just a feeling from the LA/government arrangements.

It would be very difficult for families who rely on grandparents for around school childcare as so many of them are classed as vulnerable so not available

@PyongyangKipperbang
Keyword CONSIDERING

Shush, don't go trying to talk common sense lol.
I'm with you by the way.
Sensibly it's not going to be until at least early June, only just started lockdown here.

Teachers probably will be able to choose to stay home, but I can't imagine they'll be paid unless shielding; what would be the incentive for anyone else to go in? I left teaching last year and was asking on here earlier if anyone knew of any schemes to make up for shortfalls. I wouldn't want to go back forever though or demand a high wage.

Tonemeth he isn’t extremely vulnerable, so we have had no letter. But he is vulnerable with an autoimmune condition and asthma. We had a month in hospital in January, and usually weekly monitoring, so I’m naturally worried with having three children in school how I can minimise the risk.

It will be difficult for those in my shoes, I’m sure.

Suggestion on twitter is that September was expected so 11th May is being mooted to soften people up for 1st June

Yup. I’ve said 1st June from the beginning.

@CalmYoBadSelf why would schools opening be difficult for parents who rely on grandparents for wrap around care? Presumably at the moment they have no school or wrap round care so would be struggling to work at all? At least if schools open they could work a bit?

Snowflakes1122 I'm sorry, I didnt even think about the in betweens who are neither shielding nor normal risk. Do you think they may be advised low level shield or something? Nothing is straight forward, is it. I imagine there will be guidance, but who knows what it will be.

I’ve been caring for keyworker children in school. Very small numbers. Even with those small numbers social distancing has been really difficult. They are primary and have no concept of it. Coming up very close to staff, needing help with self care..... I’m quite happy for schools to go back (but won’t be sending my own child in!) but I don’t see any point in other distancing measures carrying on after that point.

Feel very uncomfortable about 3 weeks time. Hope it is a testing the waters thing.

@MsAwesomeDragon would you accept a pay cut?

OP,
And you believe that?
How can anyone believe anything written around this subject when it’s obvious there are ulterior motives and lobbying going on?
We are still at peak. The numbers of new cases and deaths speak for themselves.

The whole world economy will have to adjust to the new world of slow economic /no growth norm.