Telegraph reporting primary schools to return 1 June

[MummaGiles]

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/02/primary-schools-reopen-june-part-blueprint-unlock-britain/

Sorry it’s behind a paywall.

Just heard about this on the radio. They are suggesting that Johnson will address the country next Sunday (10/5) with the roadmap, part of which will be primary schools returning on 1 June.

Not saying I believe it, just sharing the link.

Anyway one of the many things I am eternaly grateful for is it's not my decision to make.

And I’m telling you from actual experience of trying to get real children to socially distance that it is impossible.

So, as I said upthread- whats the plan ?

France are hoping to open elementary schools from 11th May - if new cases stay below 3,000 a day.

"Elementary schools will begin opening from 11 May. Middle schools in districts with milder outbreaks may be allowed to reopen from 18 May, and high schools at the end of the month."

"From 11 May everyone using public transport, including trams, trains or the metro, will have to wear a face mask."

"In schools, France's kindergarteners will not be expected to wear masks unless they start showing symptoms during the school day. Middle school children (aged 11-15) will be expected to, however, and the government will make masks available for students who can't access them."

"Classes will be no larger than 15 students, the prime minister said."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52459030

Some parents and teachers are not happy however;

"Teachers and families are ganging up to derail President’s Macron’s plans to get schools out of lockdown next month, as rebels say they will boycott the reopening to protect their own health."

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-in-france-teachers-and-parents-gang-up-on-macrons-school-plan-f6tzzdgw0

Has everyone filled in the DFE questionnaire on going back?

It's very obviously directed at getting schools to open ASAP but worth having your say:

r1.dotmailer-surveys.com/1114x93a-984mj1a3

There are also many children in primary schools who have behavioural challenges that make social distancing very difficult. Some bite, spit and some are a physical danger to others and themselves and need occasional restraining by staff. Some need physical reassurance, hugs, etc. to be mentally well and it will actually be quite traumatic for them to be rejected physical contact with a key adult. They won't and can't understand. This will also be hard mentally on the staff. We want to go back to normal but sadly the world isn't normal right now.

What WOULD be helpful would be for the government to tell us its general plan of the order of the phased return. So, if we are going to start with year 10 and year 12, we could begin working on reduced class groups and timetables and look at rotas, and break rotation, etc. Because presumably, whenever we start up, we'll be coming back a bit at a time, and we may as well get the plans ready, even if we don't know exactly when we will use them.

Back to normal is 2 years away if ever. That's a long wait.

So, as I said upthread- whats the plan ?

I don’t know. I’m just stating the fact that Young children cannot socially distance. That doesn’t mean I have the answer but I don’t see how opening schools soon will benefit anyone.
They won’t be able to have enough children in frequently to be able to educate them properly or allow people back to work.

Schools are about more than education, being in school some of the time, would make a massive positive difference to thousands of children's lives. We know it won't be the same as before. Doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted.

I do think the whole " young children can't socially distance" thing is self fulfilling. Someone up thread said year 5s can't do it !

The strictest school in England (Michaela) thinks they can't socially distnace in school with kids that act in military precision.

It just isn't possible. Her post was great - she acknowledged at some point schools will return but wants us all to be clear we can't pretend its socially distanced.

If we're willing to scrap ppe/2m rule everywhere else its fine...

Yes I said that based on my actual experience of trying to get year 5s to do it.
Please tell me what your experience is other than that of your own children?

The plan is to wait. At this stage it's all we can do. We're up against a contagious virus, not a human. We can't plan too far in advance because we don't know enough yet. Things change daily. New information, more research, looking at how other countries (at different stages to us) fare. It would be spectacularly foolish if the government caves to impatient demands and makes commitments it can't guarantee. At this stage when so much is uncertain we can't make firm plans. We need to wait and see.

hopeful how do children attend schools when the staff are off sick?

I just got back from the shops, it turns out that adults can’t socially distance either.

Iv'e worked at summer camps, organised birthday parties at leisure centres, nannied and baby sat. I guess most of those children had engaged parents, certainly no one spat or bit at 9 or 10 years old

So... not 30 children in a classroom all day, squishing into small spaces and in narrow corridors, and working on things they don't always want to be doing then? x however many classes. Absolutely the same as babysitting . Maybe listen to those actually IN the classrooms...

I guess most of those children had engaged parents, certainly no one spat or bit at 9 or 10 years old

Oh my sweet summer child.

I hope they shut till September!

Nobody is suggesting 30 kids in a classroom.

The week before schools closed we had lots of students (mainly boys) coughing on each other on purpose. And at teachers "accidentally on purpose". And that's secondary, I imagine primary is similar.
According to the Covid symptoms survey lots of places still have above 1% infection in the general population - take a school of 800 pupils and maybe 50 staff you could estimate that 8 pupils and 1 member of staff are infectious.
I wonder how quickly that would spread.....

And I wonder how many of the parents who are anxious to get back to work would send their poorly kids in anyway... Or think it's just hayfever, just a cold

We need to get general population levels of infection a LOT lower, plus have adequate test, track and trace going on before schools go back in my opinion

Lots and lots of children in primary school have not a clue how to put a hand in front of their mouth when they cough. Back in January a child coughed (with phlegm) straight into my mouth as I spoke to him. He had no idea this was an issue. He's 8.

The risk assessments for some children returning are going to be significant. SEND children in mainstream for example - especially those who have behavioural challenges.

Nobody is suggesting 30 kids in a classroom.

Literally the article in the OP.

“Based on the current, reduced infection rate, Mr Johnson is hoping to put teachers on three weeks’ notice to reopen primary schools in England to all pupils on June 1, Whitehall sources said.”