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Did anyone else see the really positive news about primary schools reopening on BBC this morning? at 9am

401 replies

bigbananafeet12 · 12/05/2020 18:20

They were asking advice from a lovely primary school teacher in Denmark on how the'd approached it. She was so positive and encouraging it gave me hope for our dc for the first time in ages. Worth a watch if you can.

OP posts:
GrimmsFairytales · 13/05/2020 11:53

It’s about minimising risks, slowing the spread not stopping everyone catching it.

I agree. The Danish Health Authority recommend groups of three for children three years old or younger, and groups of five or six for children over the age of three.

So why are we expecting our groups to be up to 15 children?

Barbie222 · 13/05/2020 11:56

I am 100% sure that we will not be closing the door on our bubble with 15 children and no other adults coming near. Can you imagine the implications of that!!! There will need to be other adults around for safeguarding.

DBML · 13/05/2020 12:05

It’s about minimising risks, slowing the spread not stopping everyone catching it.

Come on guys! It’s easy! It’s just about minimising risk! So just go to school and minimise some risks! Easy peasy!

Op, how do you feel about me taking my USA vacation this summer? I’d like to still go and hope to still go. It won’t be a worry because I’ll just minimise some risks! It’ll be fine!

bigbananafeet12 · 13/05/2020 12:07

My friend is a TA and she’s been told they don’t need her back in until September. Seems there might not be the shortage you’re worried about.

OP posts:
PheasantPlucker1 · 13/05/2020 12:08

OP putting forward a proposal is a brilliant idea.

So good the unions have already done it several times.
No response yet. Schools are trying. Teachers are trying. The unions are trying.

Barbie222 · 13/05/2020 12:09

Stay Alert. Minimise Risk. Stop Whinging

bigbananafeet12 · 13/05/2020 12:09

Don’t get the correlation between going abroad and schools reopening tbh.

OP posts:
DBML · 13/05/2020 12:11

@bigbananafeet12

Well it’s just mixing with people who might have coronavirus isn’t it? And another sector of our economy that we need up and running to prevent jobless. So applying your positive can-do attitude, all we need to do is minimise a bit of risk!
I’m on board!

TinySleepThief · 13/05/2020 12:11

My friend is a TA and she’s been told they don’t need her back in until September. Seems there might not be the shortage you’re worried about

I would imagine shes in the minority. All the schools I know have been utilising all the staff members they have. Although maybe you could suggest she could pitch in at a school that have no TAs or where the TAs only worked 1-1?

GrimmsFairytales · 13/05/2020 12:13

bigbananafeet12

Not sure if you missed my posts, but you haven't responded to my questions about group numbers.

I would be much happier to go back with groups of up to 6 pupils, as Denmark have done. Why if it's about trying to minimize risk, are England expected to have up to 15 in each group?

bigbananafeet12 · 13/05/2020 12:16

You’ve decided you don’t want to get back to school, nothing anybody says or does will make a difference. I give up.

OP posts:
GrimmsFairytales · 13/05/2020 12:19

You’ve decided you don’t want to get back to school, nothing anybody says or does will make a difference. I give up

How convenient, just pull out the you don't want to, and I give up cards.

Of course I want to go back to school. You keep saying we need to be more positive like Denmark, need to follow their lead etc.

Yet they have children in groups of up to 6, and we're expected to have 15, despite them being the same age.

PheasantPlucker1 · 13/05/2020 12:22

OP it doesnt matter how workable solutions are if the governemnt are refusing to put them into place.

There are solutions. The NEU sent them to the government weeks ago. They ignored them, and carry on doing so.

Barbie222 · 13/05/2020 12:24

@bigbananafeet12 peace and love! What do you think of the unions demands? Denmark's situation matches their conditions, by and large?

The80sweregreat · 13/05/2020 12:30

I'm sure many teachers and TAs are in the shielding group so may not have to go back till September? It could be why they have been told this.

AravisTarkheena · 13/05/2020 13:22

It’s weird that so many people think teachers don't want to go back to school - for a start I’m a teacher and half my colleagues are total martyrs who do what they’re told and act like their happy about it (genuinely, on MN there’s an idea teachers whinge all the day but in my school people don’t complain enough!) But being in the classroom is the bit teachers actually like!

However, everyone is understandably stressed about having to try out this phased return with the most practically difficult year groups to do it with. I also think it was really shitty of the govt to spring it on everyone at the same time and then wait to release the actual guidance. It wasn’t a respectful approach.

ineedaholidaynow · 13/05/2020 13:27

Gavin Williamson has just said it would be a good idea for our trade unions to speak to the Danish ones. Let's hope it may persuade the Government to follow some of what Denmark has done in their schools.

backatschool · 13/05/2020 14:16

I am British living in the Netherlands, my kids go to an inner-city British International School, limited outdoor space. All British teachers and curriculum and same style of learning (kids in groups, teachers wandering around classroom etc), same class sizes. Also, similar concerns as many of us are from the U.K.

My kids went back on Monday. I thought people might be interested to hear our set up:

  • voluntary return for now, probably 20% keeping home
  • if going back then only 50% attendance, so group 1 in for 2 day blocks, then home for day days when group 2 go in - home schooling on the home days
  • all schools had to create their own plan based on a government protocol, so not every school is doing the same, but what works for them and their space
  • because numbers are more than halved, kids in a bubble with no more than 12 (reality is 9-10) with same teacher
  • siblings in on same days
  • classrooms then have space to rearrange into individual desks around the room, teacher at the front as much as possible
  • Very strict drop off rules, one parent only, not allowed to go in on public transport, one way system on pavement outside for walking
  • one way system through school and different entrances per year group where possible or slightly staggered
  • sanitiser in all rooms, have to sanitise going in and out of each room as well as lunchtimes and break times, toilet etc
  • lunch etc in eaten in class
  • no assemblies
  • no lockers used
  • playground split into sections for each year group
  • kids put bags and coats on floor at break and lunch so teacher wipes down twice daily plus end of day

For what it's worth, many of us were nervous but I'm much calmer now they are actually back in and I've seen that it works and spoken to the teachers at the school gates about how it's going. They were buzzing after their 2 days this week and so happy to have seen friends. I do think the 50% attendance (government mandated) has been the way to make it work with lots of kids and a small space.

GrimmsFairytales · 13/05/2020 14:26

backatschool

A very interesting and detailed post thank you.

How old are the children who have returned to school?

And are all children in a group with a teacher, not a TA or support staff etc?

TinySleepThief · 13/05/2020 14:30

backatschool thats really interesting to read. How old are you children and are all the year groups back at the school?

classrooms then have space to rearrange into individual desks around the room, teacher at the front as much as possible

Does that include 4 year olds or are they still accessing free play learning?

Randomschoolworker19 · 13/05/2020 14:35

Teachers do actually want to teach, as do all school staff! I'm a TA and we want nothing more than things to return to normal for our kids. Education is so important after all.

Being safe and well is more important though! We want a phrased return to schools that won't put people at risk. We've shown with the children of key workers that social distancing in schools can work, so long as it's done properly and slowly enough with the right levels of space, staff and children. As for sitting on our arses getting paid for nothing. I don't know any teacher or TA who is sat at home doing nothing. Most staff are still going into schools on a rota basis, and when we're not we're at home supporting online learning. That doesn't just happen by itself!

The current government guidelines are like throwing a baby in the deep end of a swimming pool and seeing if they learn to swim or not though. It might work, it might not, the honest answer is we don't know. There is apparently scientific evidence that says children do not spread the virus. Experience tells me they spread every other virus and kind of germs very well, and just as many studies say the science is inconclusive or that they do spread it.

This is the same science that said we should go for herd immunity, then we shouldn't. That mass gathering didn't cause much transmission, but then they do, or that no one needed to wear masks, but then also that they're now effective. I'm not sure I trust this 'science'.

The fact is with social bubbles schools will not be socially distancing and staff will not be wearing PPE. This is putting people at risk and people will die from it. The children themselves might be at low risk but their teachers, TAs, parents and grandparents will be at a higher risk.

Lastly, you cannot compare England's school system to those on the continent. We generally have higher class sizes, less staff, older school buildings, poorer hygiene facilities and smaller classrooms. What works in Denmark is unlikely to work here, and I say that as someone who is university educated and who has worked in Education for over 12 years. We listen to doctors and medical professionals when they speak out on the lack of PPE, but when teachers and school staff do they're just moaning.

Typical teaching bashing as always.

Kokeshi123 · 13/05/2020 14:37

backatschool, thank you. We will all be keeping a watchful eye on the situation in the Netherlands, but it would be great if this country has worked out a solution that is both practical and safe.

PickUpAPickUpAPenguin · 13/05/2020 14:51

Teachers gave up their Easter holidays to look after keyworker children. At local secondary schools many teachers are making face shields, headbands and scrubs for the NHS including during the Easter holidays. Teachers are contacting children each week to check that they are ok as they are the only ones able to act as the equivalent of social care right now. Those aren't the actions of workshy people.

Randomschoolworker19 · 13/05/2020 15:04

@PickUpAPickUpAPenguin

You know something, I didn't even think to mention how we are making PPE for the NHS (the key worker children helped too!) or how we gave up our Easter holidays to help as well. We'll most likely give up next half term and the summer holidays too.

It just came without thinking about it. We just want to help. I guess it's only when you stop and think about it that you realise the things you're doing.

Hearing comments about us being job shy and sitting at home on our arses for free pay are really, really hurtful. It addition to the above, we've been delivering food and learning packs to families, checking in on vulnerable children, teaching parents how to teach their kids at home, providing online learning etc etc.

The hurtful comments make you wonder why we do it. It's certainly not for the money!

The80sweregreat · 13/05/2020 15:33

Teachers have been in all the time at our school and TAs on a rota system or working from home. Some office / admin staff are going in to decorate / clean as well.

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