Why are primary schools obsessed with social distancing when it’s not a requirement?

[whenthejoyreturns]

I’m sure I’ll be told I’m stupid but I’m genuinely confused.
Our local primary will only allow 8 in a class because apparently there’s not enough room to socially distance more. I thought dc were supposed to be in bubbles of 15 or so dc. Why have our primaries gone down the route of sitting dc at desks spaced 2m apart?

I'm a high school Drama teacher with a year 10 DD and we have had Covid 19 - confirmed, DD brought it back from an Italy ski trip. After sometime recovering, I have continued to work through the whole thing as I am also a form teacher.

All this said, our second wave is going to be so much worse than the first. I feel we are the new care homes. They said those were safe and look what's happened there. I am somewhat immune but are your family and friends?

I think part of the reason Gavin said no to summer opening, too, is that it would interfere with families getting out and spending money in the next unlocking phase.

I've often thought we could do with a bit more flexibility in when schools set their term dates, though. I'd like a longer half term between September and December in a normal year, and shorter summers. We may be locked down more this winter too so maybe things will change by then.

Because this is sort of a bit of a unique situation isn’t it? I quite like doing a lot of things that I am currently not doing but you know, needs must. It’s one year all being well. If I’m honest I think that’s the sort of comment that causes people to be critical.

I get it might be tougher for the kids to do a long stretch but perhaps there would be a way round that? Slightly longer Easter break? Two week half term?

The trouble with random play dates is that it opens up the chains of transmission quite considerably. A school is a relatively closed community.

Many Scottish schools are going back one week early, just one week. I've seen lots of posts from parents as well as teachers who had plans booked in for that last week. Parents who have booked their annual leave in already and can't necessarily change them.
How much more complications would arise from moving English schools back by several weeks?

To make a political point.

Beakyface best post. Thank you

Well, loads of complications I’d imagine. I’m not sure that necessarily means it can’t work. If we assume no fines for keeping children out of school before September then if people still want to go on holiday or whatever they can do (if they are able to).

Seems to me that on balance it would give both parents and teachers what they want (ie more time for things to calm down before a return) with teachers not being asked to work any more days and children minimising their time outside of school.

The more I think about it the more odd it seems to stick to arbitrary term dates in the circumstances.

One year only, back to normal from September.

I think they'll struggle to give out fines for missed school after this!

It will be a nightmare to teach if kids just disappear off on holidays all over the place. Ours are expected to be back full time and not pick and choose. It’s going to be school,not childcare and they are expected to go.

It would be ludicrous if schools are forced to impose strict measures but parents use lockdown and furlough as an excuse for cheap holidays. Putting children into bubbles whilst pulling them out to heaving holiday hotspots. Kind of makes a mockery of all the hard work schools are putting in to keep kids safe.

That said employers are supposed to be calling employees back. Who will want them taking holiday straight away

This all sounds like madness. Is it going to continue until a vaccine is found?

From the sound of it there is far more danger of children falling behind in their studies or developing g anxiety issues than being damaged by Corona virus. Is it because of the teachers union? ( not saying all teachers are terrified).

Yes, this virus is dangerous fora section of the community but you’d think it was Ebola judging by some of reactions.

No it’s because of gov regulations, they are advised by medical experts.

So much hatred for teachers. Sickening. Didn't see hatred for nurses and carers when they said they felt unsafe. They were supported. Teachers are worried about your children, more so than some of you seem to be.

Those of you who hate teachers so much take your kids off the register and carry on teaching them at home, as you are such experts. Take them to the park and the beach. Covid-19 isn't so bad, it's not like people are dying.

The government don't give a single fuck for education. They want schools open to force parents back to work or off benefits. It's obvious.

you’d think it was Ebola judging by some of reactions.

That's hilarious : ebola was never in ths country, is a horrific illness but was never pandemic and has killed faf far fewre poepl worldwide than Coronavirus. But you think Ebola is the bigger fear to society for your point of comparison!

I haven't RTFT but it was actually Michael Gove, senior government minister and ex Ed Sec who spoke last week on Andrew Marr about social distancing and sitting pupils at separate desk as in the past, all facing one way. Why would it be wrong , therefore, to infer that that is what the government wants and expects schools to do?

Just picking up on something from last night, school were not closed (in virtually all countries, many where they were completely closed) because of 'mistaken' notions about transmission in schools. Sir Patrick Vallance has explained many times that it is because of the number of extra social encounters that having schools open creates. This, in particular , is why they are keeping secondaries closed because of teenager's behaviours not only in school but on the way to and from and afterwards and their use of transport, all of which potentially dramatically push R up. The main reason he cites for little ones going back is because their social encounters can be more tightly controlled .

@Bi11abong

No option here will be perfect. That said, I do think moving away from the traditional term timings this year makes sense. Surely whenever schools open for the first term or so there might be some patchy attendance? I think there is a danger that by trying to wait until things can be perfect an opportunity is missed to offer something that has benefits all round.

In any event I am neither in charge of the unions or education secretary and it seems those that are have discounted the idea.

I don’t understand why some people on here are implying that teachers have some kind of ulterior motive for not wanting to re-open schools.

Working online and going in a couple of days a week to look after the 15 key worker children (ages ranging from 2-11) is not what any of the teachers in my school want to be doing.
Every single one of us is desperate to see our own classes and be in our own classrooms. That’s the bit we like.
Trying to get to grips with the technology of online teaching and spending time producing worksheets to leave at the school gates for those who’d rather do the work that way is awful.
I personally am quite precious about my classroom and my class. I like to see them, I like to teach them.
If you think teachers prefer this new way of doing things then you are 100% wrong. The only reason teachers are feeling torn about going back is the conflicting information and advice from the government making us feel unsafe. That’s it!

I think people also need to understand that even when schools do go back the potential for major disruption will be high.

If the two week isolation is still in place for anyone who has symptoms or who lives with anyone with symptoms still exists then how frequently will teachers be off, self isolating? Will schools be able to enjoy supply staff to cover these absences or will that mean the children can't go in? What if staff need time off for say a hospital appointment? Can cover staff or supply be used or will pupils have to stay home?

In London there’s less than 100 cases a day....

Is there a point to your comment?

The government have already said they aren't interested in region by region relaxation.

No idea . With a death rate of 0.0016% in under 10s and I think 0.1% in under 40s, it's all rather a mystery.

A 12 year old died yesterday.

The death rate for children comes largely from lockdown so is pretty unreliable.

But, anyway, the reopening of schools increases other social interactions is the point , hence why it is likely to push the R up.

Schools employ many adults, lots of whom are over 40, support staff in particular.

Best keep schools shut forever in case of any risk to anyone.

Literally no one is saying that.

The OP asked about social distancing.As recommended by the government.