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.

Michael Gove said on the Andrew Marr show that no, schools will not open next month

From the BBC news website
The UK government wants to make sure it makes a "balanced judgement" about which lockdown measures can be relaxed and when, a senior minister has said.

Michael Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr: "We want to make sure that we make a balanced judgement about which restrictions can be relaxed at what time."

He dismissed reports that schools would return on 11 May but added that the hospitality sector would be among the last to see restrictions lifted.

We reported earlier that the government had been criticised for missing a number of opportunities to reduce the impact of coronavirus.

Addressing the reports, Mr Gove said it was "grotesque" to portray Prime Minister Boris Johnson "as though not caring about this".

The Sunday Times reports that the PM missed five meetings of the emergency Cobra committee - something Mr Gove shook off, saying it was normal for the nation's leader not to attend every meeting.

Pretty sure Gove is positioning himself as Mr Nice(r) guy for a coup!

Some new research says it may also be cardiovascular.
But again, this is just more evidence that we can't rely on rushed and contradictory research. because if that it true and verifiable, we have been shielding (some of) the wrong people.

Thank fuck for that.

Gove who used a CV test for his daughter that could have gone to NHS staff because Gove didn’t fancy working from home for 14 days like normal people, including vital NHS staff who can’t work from home, have to do?

That Gove? Yes, he’s definitely up for a coup and that’s why he couldn’t bear to be away from Downing Street. Selfish arse.

I really think we are going to have to get used to the fact that some sort of social distancing is going to be in place for a long time and we will have to work around that.

The reality of schools may see us opening but with reduced capacity (say a 2wk timetable) and pupils come in with 1 week on and then have a week off. That's if the government want us to implement some sort of distancing on schools.

We will potentially have to teach to a 2 week repeated timetable if this happens which isn't the end of the world but we will have to focus on key skills.

This has implications for working parents - maybe some employers need to also be flexible and allow people to work from home where possible for the foreseeable until there is a vaccine although if the virus mutates and keeps changing, this poses problems every year I guess?

Parents will potentially need to support their child/ren with this new way of teaching with home learning.

I am sure we will all be watching the briefing this afternoon to see what the update will be.

I think the majority of us are in agreement schools opening in 3 weeks is too soon but schools will have to open before a vaccine is developed.

The two week timetable is interesting in secondary because it reduces number sin the building but not class size. It also slows down the speed of progressions ,which would not even work out for exams in July.

I am slightly worried it might signal a very restricted curriculum for GCSE students.

But again, this is just more evidence that we can't rely on rushed and contradictory research. because if that it true and verifiable, we have been shielding (some of) the wrong people.

Absolutely

I haven’t RTFT but what about all the vulnerable children? I think this is a big part of why we need to open the schools again as soon as possible

I know children with social workers can still go in, but that’s only some of the children that have already been identified as being vulnerable. What about the children being subject to neglect and abuse who literally aren’t seeing another adult at the moment?

Schools are in contact as much as they can with the vulnerable ones, Hunt, not just with the ones who are turning up to school.

The two week timetable is interesting in secondary because it reduces number sin the building but not class size.

Boys in one week, girls the next. OMG imagine.

@alloutoffucks Wasn’t @Yurona referring to research from Australia where most (if not all) states have widespread testing and contact tracing?

Michael Gove said on the Andrew Marr show that no, schools will not open next month

You didn’t watch it did you? He said they had not made that decision and would be guided by the science. So the reports are untrue as they haven’t yet decided. That doesn’t mean they will or won’t

The education secretary will give today’s briefing.

I imagine the education secretary will reiterate what he said this morning, which was that a decision hasn’t been made yet.

Thanks fuck he has said there is no date yet and has acknowledged we have been in and working to support those who have been in.

Talking more about online resources than going back, listening atm

The 5 point plan will take forever to be achieved, if at all.

giving ipads, laptops and internet access to vulnerable children. They aren't going back anytime soon.

Doesn't sound to me like they're expecting schools to be fully open for months. All this effort and money on laptops and 4g routers and online lessons doesn't add up to a return in June or even in September.

That’s interesting, he’s went much further than I thought he would

Five pillars, all of which will likely be met in the next month, if not earlier. Big focus on the fact rhe schools are still open and thousands of kids still in. No date, clearly as he’s not able to give that till the exit plan given.

But that was a huge huge softening up for schools to go back

They haven't addressed how keyworker parents are supposed to do home learning when we work full time with the kids in childcare.

School childcare are apparently forbidden to teach. Will they begin to facilitate the online "home learning" at school childcare?

4g and routers were not for every child it was for those vulnerable.

I missed Gavin Williamson! What has he said?

giving ipads, laptops and internet access to vulnerable children. They aren't going back anytime soon.

Or expect repeated closures with each wave of the disease. Either way it's not a great sign is it.