How will large schools cope?

[oldbagface]

The school issue is worrying. Our school has approximately 1800 pupils. Inner city school in a deprived area. Huge percentage of pupils do not have English as a first language which may possibly hinder understanding of the plethora of new rules they will be expected to adhere to. Further, a high percentage of kids with learning disabilities, Ditto the same issue. Also, even if all kids were able to be compliant and carried out all expectations to the letter, who is going to clean the school throughout the day. Particularly high touch areas. It's not possible. I don't see how it will be safe.

Then if we go with the untested theory that kids don't spread it. In a school of our size there's a lot of adult staff members. Still plenty of opportunities to spread the virus.

Opinions please.

Being 11 and on your own all afternoon or morning would depend upon the child.

Our school isn't a big school but still struggle to work it out, accept if kids only went in 1-2 days a week, bit there are still so many issues. I've heard they are talking about having year 6, 10 and 12 back begining of June. It's an all through school but separate campuses for primary and secondary.

Don't know what the plan is after those years start though and wether they will only go in a couple of days a week or what? We can keep guessing and trying to workout solutions but I don't think it'll be long before we find out now.

I don’t think there’s any point schools social distancing and it won’t happen. Reduced numbers yes , lower and upper school at different , there will be less teachers anyway so this will be necessary. The only solution surely is constantly testing in schools, testing any kid with symptoms plus randomised testing each day?

@myohmywhatawonderfulday

We live 20 miles from Ds’s school. He gets a lift with his dad.

If he could only go in half days, we’d have no chance.

There as to be testing priority for schools, especially at secondary there’s an absolute massive mental health issue building here so they have to go back

@tootyfruity

Children are asymptomatic. Testing wont help.

They may do it to appease. I cant see it being effective really. How would you know who to test?

Who would do it? Would permissions need to be given? What if some parent refuses? Some other issues.

I think the hardest thing to get round in all of this is children with health conditions.
The rest, the will find a way. Find research that fits in with what they want/least expense. Move on.
The thought upsets me greatly but I really think there will be at least an element of this.

I think tests do work on children but I could be wrong .

The half day idea is a good one. I have a young y7 and it would work being at home half a day so presumably work for most secondary (not all I admit)

Testing would have to be a condition of going to school. It’s only a swab.

I am praying I am completely wrong.

How long for results? if it were instant, job done!

Maybe they could test the children before coming to school. Give them a pass to say they are free of the virus. Good idea :)

If the a child is ill then track and trace.

I’ve had wine but earlier today I saw something I think the update thing that made it obvious that comp won’t be back for ages as theyre so much more harmful than the little ones the little one are brought in from a small catchment area by parents go home straight away and dont get as poorly whereas comp kids come from miles around possibly using public transport mostly coming independently at their own speed, mixing with whoever and then doing the same all over again at home time and they’re not as confident that they don’t get ill, Im expecting my y10 and 12 to be home a lot these next 12 months

I’m not sure where evidence is but my mate is an icu consultant and she says 1/3 of negative tests are wrong and they do have it and are treated as such so im sure how reliable tests are anyway

My mates mum and daughter had it

The dad has all symptoms but his test was negative. Highly unlikely so was told to isolate too

There’s not going to be a perfect solution, but I really think we’ve got a massive problem on our hands with the secondary kids especially out of school- I really wanted them to close but hadn’t anticipated the mental health impacts at all. I suppose it depends on the child though. I would have been on cloud nine had this happened in my school days!

Yes, that is a problem with the tests. mmm..so difficult!

tootyfruity, me too!!

My children are mostly all enjoying being off!!!

My teenage daughter misses her friends but they have all pretty much settled into this!

It must be an absolute nightmare for schools working all this out.

@SophieB100
With the buses they would collect all the afternoon kids, drop them off at school then pick up the morning kids and take them home. Your way means the school would be empty for 2 hours in the middle of the day whereas my way there would be no gap.

People saying unions wont let staff work or there wont be 8am-8pm days..I am currently working in a school hub. The days are 7am-7pm and we are working with very little social distancing. Not purposely as our school is very organised there is constant cleaning on the go, strict hygiene and washing hands , 2m markings , remind children ..but it is very very hard to social distance when you have 3 or 4 year old or children with additional needs. The children constantly gravitate towards each other too. It will be very challenging.

No mine is hating it . I’m noticing though that like so many people she has up and down days. On the down days I tell my boss I need to take time out and I do stuff with her to distract which defInitely helps. Basically am having to put work second - like all the other working parents with younger children of course! But we are also now putting schoolwork second as well, that gets dropped completely on her down days, interestingly the school has also reduced its expectations this week so I think this is quite a common issue.