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.

Bluntness how do you think they are defining vulnerable?

It has to be medically vulnerable as well as economically.

Even if your parents earn over x amount there is no guarantee they will buy you a lap top. One journalist said forty percent of kids don’t have them. Healthy kids will be in school. Even giving a kid a lap top doesn’t mean the parent won’t pawn it, sell it or do something else with it meaning rhe kid can’t use it. They simply won’t go there other than for a small minority.

My interpretation, no chance schools will reopen for everyone before September (huge relief!) The investment in online educational resources and hardware plus 'any changes the government makes will not risk a second peak of infections' (from the Guardian live blog) being the fifth criteria to be met suggests a January return as a distinct possibility to me.

I find him one of the worse at not actually answering a question at all

Me too. He’s saying all the right soothing things, but telling people nothing.

It has to be medically vulnerable as well as economically.

Did he define? It makes a big difference. Hopefully they’ll provide clarity.

cheninblanc

The schools are childcare only.
They paint and watch movies.

The Head told me they are not allowed to provide any teaching whatsoever. Not even to do the homelearning provided. Nothing.

This means that the kids of those of us working full time with our kids in school childcare will receive zero education - even whilst it recommences online for those at home fulltime with fully available, furloughed or SAHP parents.

That's outrageous actually.

I apologise for the typos in my previous post. I meant educating!

@DBML this will surely bring out the armchair teachers who will tell us we are appalling for not considering opening throughout the summer and giving up our holidays to work unpaid in order to get the economy up and running?

* It’ll boil down to no money to pay staff to open the schools over the summer.*

That, and wanting people who need care to pay for it as they normally do and keep the holiday childcare sector afloat.

No he didn’t define. He’s not said anything of value really. Other than making it clear vulnerable kids aren’t going back this year.

Not a chance!

We need more testing and more evidence/research on immunity before we start sending our children back to school.

I need reassurance based on scientific fact rather than closing my eyes, crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!

Lifting restrictions too soon will make all this lockdown and social distancing completely pointless.

PicsInRed Surely your headteacher is talking about during the Easter holidays?

The PM said 12 weeks of lockdown on the 3rd April.
I really do believe this won't change at all and that's why most ministers are scared of giving straight answers as they probably know this is the case and don't want to make people depressed or start to not Socially distance. This is just my opinion but the press are starting to query how long this is going on for and the government are reluctant to mention the 12 weeks that was mentioned weeks ago.
I really hope schools can open in June : it would at least round up the year a bit. Can you imagine the back lash if they don't open and still have their six weeks holidays.
I'm not being goady but I just dread to think of the threads about teachers even though all the decisions made are out of their control. It's a minefield.

Carlisle why do you think September is better than June?

Kids stick indoors for months on end going back to schools just in time for / in the midst of flu & winter vomiting bug.

The things we know for sure they are great at spreading.

And when the pressures are starting to build on the NHS again due to the time of year.

At least we will get proper notice. It will be nice to have more than 48hrs this time!

I’d say best case scenario is that when the 12 weeks for vulnerable people is up schools gradually reopen. I know they told the vulnerable people to stay home for 12 weeks and then decided that they didn’t need to unless they were shielded, but I think there are a lot of scared people in that group who would be terrified to go back before the 12 weeks.

I think mid/late June, when this group can return, they may decide to reopen in a phased way, like Denmark-with social distancing in place-10 to a class etc and no fines if you don’t send your child. Possibly open childcare centres (in schools or maybe with childminders in community centres) over the summer for key workers and then try to reopen schools in September.

The PM said 12 weeks of lockdown on the 3rd April

No he didn’t, he said, twelve weeks of restrictions, three weeks of lockdown.

It’s not medically vulnerable children - it’s those who do not already have a device or internet access at home AND have a social worker, or a care leaver or come from a low income family in year 10.

@Bluntness100 yes it was a skilled performance in making those who want to believe it want be until September and those who want it sooner believe both are possible. By answering when the 5 tests are met - which are so fluffy and wooly it could be anytime between soon and never!

Whilst the real truth I think is that they simply dont know the answer yet.

It’s not medically vulnerable children - it’s those who do not already have a device or internet access at home AND have a social worker, or a care leaver or come from a low income family in year 10.

Useful thanks

If schools were to open over the summer, I would expect there to be an extended holiday day over Xmas period. So the 6 weeks added to the 2 weeks.

I am not saying I support this. But there is some logic to possible keep schools open when risks are lower (if Covid is similar to flu - we don't know) and shut again when risks increase.

@Quartz2208

I think he said no to schools opening personally. I think people will want to believe that he didn’t really say no...but it was closer to no than yes.

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue there is little to no teaching currently going on in schools. The guidance states:

Are schools expected to provide education as normal to pupils who are in attendance?

We understand that these are extraordinary times. The most important thing is that children of critical workers, and vulnerable children, are supervised and properly cared for at education settings. Schools have flexibility to provide support, activities and education in the way they see fit at this time. No school will be penalised if they are unable to offer a broad and balanced curriculum during this period.

Picsinred I'm hopeful in high school they'll be some work help, I'm told they log onto Google classroom as normal and at least she has adult supervision. She doesn't 7.30-6 five days a week currently so this has to be better, I have no option to be at home although my nhs trust are letting me take the next 5 Wednesdays as carers leave which is so great. We're going to try school this week because if this goes on till September she'll need to go in, I can't manage this and work as you've said, I'm at my limit already

@PicsInRed - not what's happening in hubs schools here. Children are encouraged to complete any learning set by their teachers.

@Bluntness100 Most kids use tablets not laptops. My kids have not got a laptop, they both have tablets.