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Original poster

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

273 replies

whenthejoyreturns · 22/05/2020 13:11

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?

OP posts:
MoreW1ne · 22/05/2020 21:12

These threads appear daily, sometimes multiple times. Its nothing to do with the safety of kids or teachers and sadly rarely to do with education. It's all a disguise.

Some people are comfortable at home right now in their situation both financially and supporting their children and some are not. Those that cannot parent or are struggling financially want schools to open immediately and those who are doing fine are happy to wait till later.

We live in a capitalist society where most peoples 'expert opinion' and understanding is merely driven by their personal circumstances. It's not hard to find supporting evidence and statistics to support either argument if you look harder enough and many people are motivated sufficiently to to that.

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 21:21

Oh and also I have no expectation of social distancing in my setting because it's simply impossible with small ones. I'd also argue that it's more detrimental to their development and wellbeing but you know.

I DO have to be mindful of my staff and their feelings and they are all valid and important and some of them are terrified. When they came into teaching they expected to get nits and everyone will tell you the first year of teaching you catch absolutely everything going. Small children cough and splitter all over you. Due to this, my staff look to me to ensure I am doing what I can to keep them safe - even if some parents don't agree with the measures we are putting in place.

This is one of the reasons why I have decided to have smaller bubbles of no more than 8/10 children. This lowers the risk to everyone whether we like to believe it or not. For every article I find that says children are super spreaders, there is another that says they are are fine.

I have also said that if staff are not comfortable being with the small ones due to social distancing, they can move further up the school but again, this means bringing other unfamiliar staff down.

The alternative to these measures is staff simply refusing to come in and then we can't open at all as there is a national teaching shortage as it is. Then we are all truly fecked because NONE of my parents or carers will be able to go to work.

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 21:23

@Bi11abong you are spot on.

This IS what all schools will be doing but we don't come on Mumsnet to shout about it - we do it because it's our job.

I can understand why some parents are pissed off but directing the anger towards the teachers is a huge red herring. Talk to good old Gaza, he who has been a school governor so therefore knows everything about how a school works.

user1000000000000000001 · 22/05/2020 21:32

BertErnie this is one of the things I found reassuring too with my DDs school that no teacher was being forced to be with the little ones if they weren't comfortable with it and her TA again has chosen to continue working with her despite the tactile-ness of her SEN. She was glad when I said I'm still being very strict on only going out when essential as I know that my DD is potentially a greater risk to them.

I think schools must do their best but be realistic. I also firmly believe attitude is everything. It's absolute but we can shield the children from that or they can be left to feed on the atmosphere.

I have never been more in awe of our teachers. They have gone above and beyond. It makes me sad when they are scared to release letters because they know it comes with abuse :(

snowballer · 22/05/2020 21:53

*It’s not refreshing because that is what most will be doing.

It’s shit and no fault of schools.*

Not sure what your Hmm was about - I was saying Bert's can do attitude was refreshing

Bi11abong · 22/05/2020 21:56

The same can do attitude most schools will have.

Doryhunky · 22/05/2020 21:58

Dd school private says social distancing not possible. Ds state school doing social distancing which means all kinds of restrictions on attendance and what they can do!

Daffodil101 · 22/05/2020 22:00

Your school sounds fab, user. Lovely for your DD and reassuring for you.

LavenderLilacTree · 22/05/2020 22:00

OP it's because the teachers and TAs don't want to get COVID. The teachers and TAs also don't want to take COVID back to their families.

User24689 · 22/05/2020 22:04

Not all schools are doing it that way. My DDs school are having bubbles of 15, no social distancing required. They aren't removing toys either, just washing them at the end of the day. They have to bring their own stationery to be kept in school. Doing lots of outdoor play and forest school. They sent through the plan the other day. It was really warm, welcoming and encouraging. Headteacher says he's looking forward to as many coming back as possible.

Unfortunately he wasn't on the news tonight, which was awash with teachers telling everyone watching how awful school was going to be for those returning. Really really weird. Almost propaganda-like.

snowballer · 22/05/2020 22:04

The same can do attitude most schools will have.

Cool. I won't bother with any more positive comments about teachers then

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 22:08

@Doryhunky what age group is your daughter in?

We will be enforcing social distancing where possible in year 6 - they are sold enough to understand why they have to have their own individual desk, know the risks and why they can't run into another bubble just because they feel like it.

We will have the same size bubbles across Year 1 and 6 when they come in but It does mean we have no hope in hell of getting in 2/3/4 in before Sept as we are using all available space in the school.

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 22:08

@snowballer thank you for the comment. It certainly was refreshing to read 😊

Changedforthisman · 22/05/2020 22:09

I’m a primary school teacher, teaching keyworkers children. Many at my school are refusing to come in with no valid reason so I’m covering far more ‘shifts’ than I should. There have been no problems in schools so far and I do honestly believe it’s Unions stirring up anxiety and fear for their own means

Changedforthisman · 22/05/2020 22:11

You’re going to wear mask gloves and a face shield if a child wets themselves? Get a grip

Bi11abong · 22/05/2020 22:12

No it’s the inference that such an attitude is unusual enough to be refreshing. It really isn’t.

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 22:12

@upthewolves there's no wrong or right way, it's all subjective depending of a million variables in each school. It's about mitigating the risk.

Your setting has decided they are happy with 15 to a bubble and will have the space etc to facilitate this. They will also have a risk assessment in place to cover this.

You are right it doesn't mean all schools follow the same plan but it isn't a one size fits all approach so it's not a case of my school being better than yours or vice versa. It also means those posters on Mumsnet who are outraged when their school is doing something different really need to realise this too.

Daffodil101 · 22/05/2020 22:14

Changed.....are you really a teacher? I haven’t heard a single teacher take that stance on MN, but I’ve heard it in real life.

You must be a ‘real life’ teacher.

SmileEachDay · 22/05/2020 22:18

Unions stirring up anxiety and fear for their own means

Ummm what?

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 22:20

@Changedforthisman yes. The option of each piece of PPE is there for those who have asked for it.

If you don't like it that's fine - is go as far to say as if you want, you can go ahead and change a child as normal.

The government guidance also states:

PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases:

•	children, young people and learners whose care routinely already involves the use of PPE due to their intimate care needs should continue to receive their care in the same way.

We change children in gloves and aprons all the time as quite frankly at times I have been covered in a child's shit or urine.

If my staff want to a visor or face mask when they do this this because they feel safe then why the hell not?

Fuck off

BertNErnie · 22/05/2020 22:20

Honestly I despair.

Bi11abong · 22/05/2020 22:21

I’m really not convinced Changed is a teacher.

tilder · 22/05/2020 22:25

@MoreW1ne that is the opposite in my experience. Plus quite rude.

Thank you @BertNErnie. Really lovely to read your posts.

The whole situation is pretty shit. However I do feel that how we deal with this will make all the difference for our kids. I fall in the 'comfortable at home category' as per Morew1nes post. I cannot see it working much longer. My kids need more than I can give at home alone.

I appreciate the honesty too. Of posters who are concerned for their health. We all are.

Lololale · 22/05/2020 22:25

Has no one realised that we actually need to encounter germs as it’s important to keep our immune system active, all this keeping children apart is going to have long term consequences.

doubleshotespresso · 22/05/2020 22:25

Because it should be a requirement?