Review point of a year 1 teacher

[Snuggles81]

So after reading a 101 negative posts about schools, teachers and so on I thought I'd offer the view point of a year 1 teacher and one people might not be expecting.
I welcome the move to get schools opening for more children BUT with realistic expectations on what can be achieved and the reasons behind opening.

As a teacher I have a duty of care for my pupils that includes both their physical and mental well being.

This means that social distance between myself and my pupils will not be maintained! Working in year 1 many children will be tearful coming into school, I can not and will not leave a child tearful and without comfort. When teaching a concept to children, modelling and scaffolding with resources generally won't be done at a 2m distance.

Year 1 learning has changed in many schools and like mine offer continuous provision similar to EYFS which means children don't sit at tables all day, in a highly stressed situation like we are in, is no time to introduce formal learning to the children.

Having smaller classes of 15 children means the children can not be offered a full time place, we don't have the staff and space. The guidance states we have to clean the areas the group are working in after the session which means it would be impractical to have a group in the morning then a different one in the afternoon (also if you work with children you will know that afternoons are challenging for learning and focus is harder).

When the children go back, it will be based on their well being not delivering the curriculum.

The government needs to be honest that they are sending the children back for childcare reasons, hence the younger children back first, the two year groups which are the most difficult to social distance. That I don't have a problem with, I am already offering that.

Parents and teachers need to be able to make an informed decision about going back to school for their personal situation.

If schools are back on the 1st June, I will be there as I have made the informed choice and weighed up the risks for physical and mental well being for myself and pupils. BUT I am honest in what I can safely deliver, I can't social distance from the children, I will be putting myself at risk. The parents at my school will make their own informed choice about whether they send their children back based on the information given to them

If other teachers choose not to go back because they feel unsafe, they are within their rights, the same as any employee in the country that do not feel safe.

People need to stop condemning teachers for fighting for the rights of children and themselves. Our work conditions are extremely different from most. We aren't lazy, we are being honest about what we can realistically offer for our youngest children. The government stated today they have been working with unions, that hasn't happened. All the unions are asking is that the government work with the unions to produce guidance that is actually workable in schools.

I am also a parent of primary and secondary children, if neither have the chance to enter their school buildings before September is going to have a negative impact on their well being and make September challenging. That doesn't mean they should all be back at once and back to normal lessons but the opportunity to have some time in school for their well being.

We all need to be honest about schooling and be realistic in what can safely be offered to pupils.

I am in school daily with keyworkers children and vulnerables. A year 1 child fell over in the playground grazed her knees and ran over to me in floods of tears and flung her arms around me for comfort before I could do anything. I then had to administer first aid. We are just pointing out the difficulties.

I asked the teacher who phoned me when we were talking about social distancing what about if a child is upset or hurt themselves?
And she said well we as teachers still will fulfill our role to care for the child (not her words but I'm trying to give you the sense of what she said)
I was looking for some reassurance really that my child would be comforted but I felt that was a bit of non answer in a way cos it's not really saying whether they'll be even got close to or not

I just want to be honest as someone who works with these younger children that what the government are asking us to do, although we will try, will be impossible to do effectively with 4/5/6 year old. I think it's important for parents and the public to see the challenge that will be created and it isn't as simple telling children to stay away from each other, it is isn't a simple as staff remaining to the 2m distance with pupils.

At my school we haven't been asked to socially distance the children from us or eachother. We've had the same small group in most days (around 6, 4-8yos) and they have been playing together as usual.

End of the day teachers wipe down desks and door handles, but not toys/ stationery etc.

I think schools need to be open with parents about the realities of socially distancing young children (you can't!) and if this is a big issue for you then you need to keep your child at home. There is no way, which is emotionally healthy for a young child, to distance from them and them from their peers. I will refuse to do it.

I teach Reception and have a Reception aged child, who will be staying at home.

To be honest I'm confused because the assistant headteacher at our school who rang me about her going back did say that they will all be keeping 2m away from each other and that they all do at the moment (key worker children). And other people like on here say you can't really and it's again like I don't know who to believe.

(mine is 6 in year one)

Again, sorry OP, I think I misread what you meant in your posts.

Purpleme every school will be different. There are no set rules and every teacher is doing what they are told by their own SLT.

@purpleme12 I completely understand the confusion and frustration you feel. All you can go by is what your school tell you and the way they will implement the guidance. If what your school are offering doesn't sit right with you, then you have to base any decisions on this.
As a school we have been honest with our parents, outlined the guidance with what that looks like in our school and how realistically it will be applied, we have been very open with our parents.
Parents will then based their decisions on this information, they will ask questions if needed.

And the government should be more honest with schools too first. Which it seems they're not so far. It's looking like the guidance was rushed and is at best "draft."

And we must remember that the 1st is the earliest any school can take those increased numbers in.

I'm not sure I have am going to send my own children on 1st June.