Any primary teachers preparing their return to school

[whattodo2019]

Can I ask what changes you are being asked to make to your classrooms, the way you will teacher, social distancing etc? How do you feel a it returning to work.

There are so many mixed Messages, I would love to hear from the teachers who are going back on 1st. June

[user1000000000000000001]

My DDs school have just confirmed she will have her one to one still. They've said they would rather less children than have the ones in not have their needs met.

[Itisasecret]

The issue with SEN, is that for many schools, just staffing bubbles and key worker children means all the space and staff are accounted for. There is a reason the government suspended the legal rights of those with SEN, the councils no longer have a legal obligation to provide support under the coronavirus act. They did this because they know it’s not possible. Rushing schools back just because means those children will suffer.

[lazylockdowner]

It's stupid and I can't understand it myself

[lazylockdowner]

Exactly

[ineedaholidaynow]

@lazylockdowner how does that in anyway follow the guidelines

[lazylockdowner]

Our school is mixing bubbles key workers children will be in keyworker group them on the days there class can be in school they will then go to there class... sounds rlstupid to me as that is mixing groups and increasing the risks... based on that I have decided not to send my child to school now

[BG2015]

My head has clarified with parents today that EYFS/Y1 social distancing will be what we 'aim' for but we aren't going to be fanatical if 2 children stand together in the water play for 5 minutes.

He wants Y1 to stay at their desks as much as possible but there will be some points of the day when they are together for short times. The bubbles will never mix with other bubbles though.

Y6 he expects to adhere to social distancing at all times.

[qweryuiop]

@Johnny1963

Not all schools will be backing off support for sen. All of our 1.1 send children will have a bubble with two adults. We will not be providing any intimate care, but otherwise things will be as close to normal as we can make them. External support isn't back in our local authority yet though.

The sendco may have been cagey because they don't know yet. It's likely to be the case that the headteacher sets the plan and the sendco will only have input later. Hopefully they will know by the end of this week and then you'll know whether it is right for your child.

[Johnny1963]

Thanks for being so honest about SEND provision @Appuskidu. I have DC with an EHCP and our SENCO has been v cagey about what support will be available when they reopen. We won't be able to send them in if they won't be supported. The remote learning from our school hasn't been great so we've put together our own plans and resources so I guess we'll have to carry on and hope our employers continue to be supportive.

[REdReDRE]

@Appuskidu thank you. Hopefully the school will be sending that information out when they confirm their plans (we don't know yet they plan to welcome more children back anyway yet)

[REdReDRE]

@SallyAlly2020 @freddiethegreat thanks both. I think this is my key question. My daughter is very well behaved at school (not so much at home!) but when they're outside it's going to be hard and I don't want her to be put on their sanction board for normal behaviour (even though she understands that things are different for a while).

As long as both are back I have volunteered to go into to help clean (or anything else they need) one day a week when I won't be at work as I don't think that should fall to the teachers as a major part of their role.

[fortunatelynot]

oh and also;

• school uniform must be washed each night
• big play equipment wiped between each use (for eg, trikes in outdoor area for Reception)
• books after reading to be 'quarantined' for a couple of days

To be honest, these are just the basics that most counties are expecting. I expect there will be more guidance to come!

[fortunatelynot]

We are:-
-having bubbles of 8 - 10 children from the year R, 1 and 6 as well as continuing to run key worker groups (which has been ongoing since March 20th when schools 'shut'). Each group manned by 2 adults.
-assigned toilets for each bubble , adult must supervise children one at a time when they go to the toilet, ensure hands thoroughly washed and that toilet is wiped
-set areas for each bubble in the playground
-lunch in each bubble's classroom
-two quarantine rooms in case a child reports they feel ill. One is bigger than the other so a younger child can remain supervised until they are collected
-teaching from front for year 6. Not using books but mainly online learning with assigned Ipads.
-all soft furnishings and small toys removed from Reception. Focus will be on lots of outdoor learning
-staggered drop off and pick up times
-wildlife area to be used throughout day so each bubble can access forest schools
-one way system throughout school
-from June 1st, some dedicated sessions to address anxieties etc and reinforce expectations for social distancing wherever possible
-parents to enter to drop off at one gate and leave through another gate
-door handles etc to be regularly cleaned throughout day
-water bottles to be brought in and named and we will wash them each night to save them going home
-we have supplied a pencil case and stationery to each child so they don't have to share

[Frazzled2207]

Thanks to all the teachers doing this. I have a reception child and this is all very useful. School have not really told us what their plan is yet so I don’t know what to think!

[SmileEachDay]

But the kids least able to social distance are the SEN ones and that isn't their fault

SEN children are not necessarily the least able to socially distance. That’s a massive generalisation.

It’s no small child’s “fault” they can’t SD. If we can’t keep them and others safe at school, then we need to be sensible. It’s a highly unusual situation.

[ColouringPencils]

Teachers, thank you for all that you are doing. It makes me feel reassured that many schools seem to have a pretty consistent approach, although I am very sad to hear you are expected to become cleaners as well as everything else. I know this must be a stressful time for you. Slightly off-topic, but are any of your schools preparing for years 2-5 to return this term, and how would the lack of space be managed? I can't see how it is possible in my child's school.

[user1000000000000000001]

But the kids least able to social distance are the SEN ones and that isn't their fault.

[freddiethegreat]

@REdReDRE - I wouldn’t sanction children (certainly EYFS) for not social distancing if I was asked to. But if they aren’t somewhat safe, they can’t be there.

[user1000000000000000001]

My daughter is in reception with 1 to 1 and has been in throughout. When I dropped her off this morning she and her TA sat on the floor with DD a sobbing mess and the TA cuddling her. I know full well the TA is comfortable with it but I worry rules from above will take away the TA's freedom to choose. I also worry her TA is going to be stretched around multiple children and won't be there to meet her needs when she needs her. .

It's going to be interesting.

[Mesmeri]

I'm not a teacher and I'm not in the UK, but our schools and kindergartens went back this week. Schools, only years 1, 2 and 3 (6 - 9 year olds) because supposedly the older ones can study effectively at home.

They have split the classes in half so no more than 10-15 children per room. They have the windows open and spend a lot of time outdoors. No parents allowed inside the building. All their books, bags, pencil cases etc have to stay in school.

Not really sure whether it's going to be effective, or necessary, or whatever. Only time will tell.

[SallyAlly2020]

@REdReDRE

In short, yes. But that will look different in different schools and for different year groups.

I usually teacher Year 4 but will be teaching Year 6. Persistent space invaders will be moved into isolation/collected by their parents and told not to return until they can maintain social distancing.

[Appuskidu]

Teachers-will there be any punishments/sanctions for the children if they keep getting too close to others?

Our LEA are releasing new behaviour guidance this week which I presume will give us more information on that.

[REdReDRE]

This is really interesting, thanks to all the teachers posting. We are sending our children back when schools reopen. My yr 1 child likes everyone in her year so she will be pleased to see any of them and she's very flexible but will take her out again if she's unhappy.

Teachers - will there be any punishments/sanctions for the children if they keep getting too close to others? This worries me. At the pre school my other goes to they aren't socially distancing within their small bubble.

[Appuskidu]

What are your school's plans to support children with SEND who have 1:1 support. Will their TA stay with them within their bubble?

The 1:1 staff in my school are all vulnerable and won’t be returning. All other TAs are ‘teaching’ bubbles. The parents of those with EHCPs in our school have opted not to send them in.