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.

@Bluntness100 Our school have already given out some laptops. Nearly all the kids already had a tablet or smartphone.

Because there is no way that the five criteria outlined yet again today will be met before the end of July

They could easily argue they are already met. Even more easily in three weeks.

These children already have ring fenced money which schools spend on them

You’re missing the point. What about the millions of kids who are not in care or under a social worker who don’t have a laptop or tablet. Literally millions, will they just not be educated? It will just be vulnerable kids and ones who can afford it?

Of course not, that’s one of the many reasons it’s not going to happen. Not if they can help it.

The DfE isn’t ordering a bunch of laptops and posting them out. Schools can apply for funding for laptops and sort their own kids out.

Literally millions, will they just not be educated?

The new DfE online school can be accessed on phones which far more kids have access to than laptops. Data charges will be dropped by the phone companies.

My school gave out about a hundred lap tops too. I think they were donated re furbed ones.

"30 March One of England’s largest academy trusts has said it will spend £2 million on laptops to help poorer pupils access digital learning."

"AET has responded to the crisis by pledging to spend £2 million buying 9,000 Chromebook laptops, which will be to help pupils in receipt of free school meals or with an education health and care plan (EHCP) to access its programme of digital learning."

schoolsweek.co.uk/coronavirus-aet-to-spend-2m-on-laptops-as-others-call-for-tech-donations/

There are 7 million kids in state schools. You really think millions do not have access to a tablet, laptop or smart phone?

@bluntness100 - the schools are putting in orders for the IT equipment, not the DofE, they will be distributed by the school to their vulnerable children but will remain school property.

The BBC’s educational programmes are available through the TV via the use of the red button
which will reach some of those children who are not classed as vulnerable but have limited access to devices - most homes have access to a TV.

The two main home learning platforms come online tomorrow at 09.00.

None of this ideal but it is what is.

Nearly all the kids already had a tablet or smartphone

They can’t do work on their phones for goodness sake. They can only listen to things,

And I’m assuming you don’t live in one of the very many deprived areas.

Four million children in the uk today currently live in what is officially classified as child poverty.

Four million children.

Ok. It seems many people are determined the schools won’t go back at all untill sept. I can’t help but think this is more personal desire than any factual reasoning, we can only wait and see.

We have already given out some of our Ipads and laptops to children in my primary school. We had a good stock in school anyway and have received notice from the government that any extra costs associated with the virus will be reimbursed. Thus if some are not eventually returned (which may well be the case), we can purchase some more.

Some of our medically vulnerable children (such as those under sensory support services) have also already received ICT equipment via these agencies.

They can’t do work on their phones for goodness sake.

You know it’s videos and online quizzes? Of course they can do that on a phone.

Pen and paper also useful. Hopefully they’ve got their school exercise books and pencil cases.

I usually hate these posts but agree with the sentiment. They may miss 13 weeks of work but I am confident I can catch them up. Yes it may take effort on my part and my pupils but I have every faith I can catch up 13 weeks.

I think its pretty much certain that they wont go back this half term

I think its also certain that unless it all goes wrong they will reopen in September

The inbetween is unknown at the moment - to everyone to be fair including the Government. This is so fast moving and changing June/July/Augst are up in the air

@alloutoffucks of course not millions. But sadly thousands yes. I can think of at least 6 or 7 in my childrens year and we live in quite a posh area on the London Surrey Borders. And those are the ones I am aware of

Take it up with Boris

Sure, I'll hide a note in some get well flowers.

Why women?

Not because it should be, but because it will be.

FrippEnos

Was the supermarket out of biscuits but replete with flowers, lovely?

📚

It is most definitely difficult and near on impossible to home school your own children whilst working from home full time.

I say this as a teacher with experience of the curriculum and teaching children. Depending on how independent your child/ren are and their ages, some of us will find it easier than others.

I am managing to do this but only because I am focusing on consolidating learning and not having the expectation that I teach my children something new.

We all sit at the dining table and I set them off with something they can usually get on with. They have a help me card. Each child gets 2 of these per 'lesson' and once they have used them, that's it. Initially they found it hard but I needed them to decide if they just couldn't be bothered or if they actually really needed my help. 9 times out of 10 they didn't read the question or couldn't be bothered. After a couple of days routine kicked in and that's how it works for us. I tend to do school work them in the morning and we stop school for the day at around 1:30pm.

Joe wicks gives me 1/2hr to start my calls for the day

1/2 rest after this - again so I get a chunk of work in

45 mins of maths

30 mins playtime - really I kick them out in the garden to give me a chance to work in peace for 1/2hr

45 mins english

Lunch

30 mins independent reading

45 mins topic - they literally do what they are interested in.

Give up and hand over iPads or kick them back outside.

This means I am more efficient in the afternoon but I still have meetings etc during the time they are working on their school stuff.

Mine are Year 3 and 4 though so still young enough to want to have playtime but pls enough to get on with some stuff.

It is bloody hard and I really want parents who are key workers to send their children to school if needed - that's what we are open for.

I also agree with going easy on ourselves - all children are going to be in the same boat on return and I have every faith that their teachers will get them back to where they need to be when we return

Funny how this was reported the day Gavin Williams was doing the briefing.

What are they trying to hide? Maybe I am just a cynic.

@BertNErnie it’s really hard work and I feel my DC are missing out. I’m not sending them to school, although DH and I are both key workers, I work with high risk patients, around half of my team have so far tested positive, 2 of which are critically unwell. We trying to reduce our exposure to others. It wouldn’t be fair to send them to school when we are such high risk.

However, I can see my DC are really struggling, missing friends, structure of school, DD in particular misses her teacher.
I really hope schools open before September. Lots of families will struggle.

It does seem that there are excuses made for suggestions of how we could facilitate . It’s disappointing, very negative and the rude response by pp for my earlier post was unnecessary.

Thanks Bert that makes me feel a bit better. It's hard when you read many on here who have absolutely no concept on what it's like working from home with the kids about and trying to homeschooling them too. I may try the help card. I like that idea.

A new term tomorrow and hopefully new resources from the school that will be a bit better and I know they have been working hard get things set up.

I think the main problem is a lot of us feel that teachers have been bashed for years. We have seen our roles change so much over the last 10-15 years and it always seems we are expected to to a lot, next complain and but never get the credit for what we do. Some of us feel that we are used as the scapegoats - particularly in this situation.

Schools do need to reopen and despite what some people think on Mumsnet, I don't know of any teachers who are not keen for that to happen. A lot of us just don't want to be put in situations where we are at an increased risk simply because the economy needs to get up and running or because parents have decided they know better.

This weekend I've been called selfish for not wanting to work during the 6 week holiday I am not paid for. I've explained countless times (as have others) that teachers have worked happily for free during Easter and will do the next half term if needed but no, it's simply not good enough because some people believe despite teachers and children needing the break, schools MUST stay open over the summer. I've said schools should remain open for key workers and could be staffed with volunteers giving those who don't want to work the option not to but again that's not good enough.

We are not robots. We are humans and some of us have children of our own we are trying to raise too. Why should my children not matter too?

Teaching is an undervalued and underpaid vocation and some of the comments on these threads make me realise why people leave the profession.