Can we just stop with the school/teacher bashing

[TheWristBoundLatexBitch]

The teachers needed in most schools to do the "bubbles" is at least double what they already have. If it's a two form year, you may need 4 bubbles, so double teachers. Oh and then there is the class rooms!

How do you think schools will magically make this happen???

Some schools are staying shut except key worker children as that's all they can take.

Some schools will take one or two year groups, because they can.

Some schools (not many I'm guessing) will take all that they can back).

If your child goes back they will not be with friends, in their own class or with their teacher. This is childcare because the government said they need to open.

Let's stop bashing schools and teachers, and moaning because your child has a T.A. I'm not even a teacher nor do I work in a school, but I realise the difficulties the schools are facing.

Also you are all welcome to work my week for my pay and see if you think it's worth it at the end

OK. See how you would like doing my retail job, this March just gone

What is your point flaxmeadow?

You know there are unions for retail workers too, if you think your needs aren't respected.

Why would you want to race to the bottom?

I do get how childcare must suck if you are back at work and the kids aren't. But retail workers got reasonable adjustments tailored to their needs. Plexiglass, spacing, decreased footfall.
It's not unreasonable for teachers to want the same thought put in for schools.

I'm finding this extraordinary.

I agree with you, OP.

And I'm surprised.

I'm surprised that some parents are prepared to settle for so very little.

If you look at what other countries have done, Denmark is one example, I'm stunned that the U.K. is prepared to settle for this mess.

And it's not the fault of teachers or schools.

Where is the twice a day cleaning?
Sorry, parents, you can't afford that because we think your children aren't worth it.

Where are the extra teachers?
No, if you're children are in a state school, they aren't as valuable as those of parents who can pay.

Where is the planning to ensure that schools open with equal provision?
No, you really aren't worth it.

Honestly, I know that most people have to accept this - there isn't an alternative - but you don't have to kiss the rod you and your children are being beaten with.

It's so ... wheedlingly lickspittle.

And none of it, absolutely none of it, is the fault of teachers or schools.

It's easy to turn on the people close at hand - but it's not, actually, credible.

And while it may be a short-term release of the frustration of impotence and powerlessness, it won't, ultimately, do any good.

Parents should be very angry. And they should be writing to their MPs asking why this is so very, very poor.

Ultimately, this is a shambles because the government let it be a shambles. It was a choice.

But retail workers got reasonable adjustments tailored to their needs. Plexiglass, spacing, decreased footfall.

No retail workers got none of this, or at least not until very recently when the danger was declining.

Just got on and made the best of it, like all the other key workers did at the time

@Flaxmeadow

But retail workers got reasonable adjustments tailored to their needs. Plexiglass, spacing, decreased footfall.

No retail workers got none of this, or at least not until very recently when the danger was declining.

Just got on and made the best of it, like all the other key workers did at the time

The supermarkets were on this quite early on. Tesco had adverts explaining the changes and what to do. independent

@Flaxmeadow

Not sure what the hell that has to do with COVID-19, or having a "siege mentality," but there you go.

Maybe I worded it badly

I'm saying that because teachers are now more middle class, that they dont come from working class communities anymore or at least don't live in them

This isnt just teachers though, with a siege mentality. I think there is a general class divide going on. That some middle class people, not just teachers, are removed from everyday life. Cut off bu their lifestyle and so view the pandemic as something happening over there. Across the tracks

I do think you have a point somewhere, though I'm still not really sure what you mean by siege mentality.

Covid and Lockdown has been affecting people in very different ways, but it's not merely a class issue. Some working class people are struggling and some middle class people are struggling, though of course the risks to those without safety nets are far higher, and it's more likely that working clas people won't have safety nets. I know I am lucky that if I am out of a job, I would be able to go and live comfortably with parents who have a spare bedroom. I know others who don't have this (and other safety nets eg. savings) and they are of course at far more risk.

I do think it's easier for all of those with incomes that are minimally affected by Lockdown to wait it out. Teachers are in that group. As a teacher, I feel lucky that, despite all of the difficulties of lockdown, I've not had the money issues that many others have. Its not just class though.

I don't think the Government's habit of announcing plans to the public without asking the various service providers how it can work helps. If the headteachers, LEA, unions etc had had a say in the plans before they were announced, they could be a bit more realistic. As it is, most parents can work out you can't have half sizes classes, with a teacher, in their own classroom, full time for all years.
Distance learning- it's ok in short term, but various issues mean many children are getting very little education right now. That upsets a lot of parents. That isnt individual teachers fault, or individual schools fault. But it's easy to blame the 'face' of schools- teachers.

@CountessFrog

I’m interested in the increasing use of the word ‘decontaminate’ by school staff. As in, cleaning toys, changing clothes.

To be clear, decontamination happens in a place of contamination. Like a Covid ITU, of Chernobyl.

The choice of words unfortunately ups the anxiety. At my child’s school, a lot of the staff suffer from anxiety in the first place. On top of this, they aren’t used to risk of this sort.

Add emotive words and bingo, you’ve got very worried staff who
Perceive huge risk

How on earth do you know that your children's teachers suffer with anxiety??

I would assume that the government didn’t consult the unions because they knew exactly what response they would get.

If the DfE had been told to take a bottom-up approach, and asked each school what their provision could safely be on a school-by-school basis, I am certain that a percentage of children would already be back in school, with plans to increase numbers week on week as evidence from on the ground in schools comes to light.
It is the individual circumstances of the schools that are the impediment to blanket re-opening.
DfE have the infrastructure to collate that information weekly, even daily with some assistance. Schools could then have prioritised those children most at need in their communities, and had those back in first.

Instead Cabinet made the decision who would be returning. It was a political decision with no basis in local need or practicability.

I have a Y6 son. He has no need whatsoever to return to school at this point. He's happy, calm, has more than enough work provided by his school, is able to chat to his friends online, and is an introvert who is more than happy to spend all day reading or playing with his Lego by himself. DfE say he should go back.
In contrast the little boy next door is Y2, a sporty, extroverted child who is driving his parents demented with his need to run around and kick a ball with friends, but we have no gardens, and Dad is at work each day (can't WFH), and mum has a newborn so she can't just take him to the park all day. He is becoming isolated and frustrated and anti-social. The Y2 teacher really hasn't provided adequate school work for his class either, so his learning has completely stalled. He really needs to be back at school, but somehow cabinet know better than schools what local need is?

The whole response has just been so badly handled.

Teachers will be in an enclosed space in prolonged close contact for many hours, no social distancing, often performing intimate care with no masks or PPE allowed.

Supermarket staff, shop workers, are all allowed to wear masks and their employers provide them. They are only briefly in close contact with others. There may we'll be Perspex barriers.

Care staff performing intimate care have gloves, masks and disposable aprons.

Social workers can wear masks and gloves , meet outside or telephone.

Please don't compare teachers/TA jobs with other jobs which are completely different!

Teachers and TA safety matters. My life matters to me and 4 children and my husband. My LIFE is more important than others jobs or lifestyle. If I die that's it. No more. Kaput.

Schools shouldn't be opening until it's safe for the adult staff. All the vulnerable children are already in schools.

Maxone- presumably that is through your own choice? I can’t imagine a manager would make you remove a mask if you chose to wear one?

We have been told we are not allowed to wear them.

Yes local knowledge would help. Our school has consulted everyone, majority of vulnerable kids have been in since Easter with key worker kids.
They’ve now asked who else needs school (childcare/vulnerable), who wants it and what years.
They’ve a very complicated staged programme now with priority to those who need it.
My friends school has done similar.
Both cater to a largely deprived catchment. (Those ours isn’t on the scale of inner city etc. )

We have also been told no masks in my school, because the guidance says no masks.

I will be wearing a mask and using a Perspex screen (secondary school). My health comes first. As a parent, I'm using my instinct to choose this. This makes me a good parent according to our leaders.
Kids might not get sick with it but I might die as an over 50 with a heart issue (that isn't bad enough to keep me off). I make no apologies for this. I also won't be working with 'kids' but 15 & 17 year olds to start with. You'd think they socially distance but I've seen groups of them out together the last few weeks so bubbles already gone.
Although I have been working 10 hour days to teach on line lessons and drop in help sessions. And pastoral calls. And rewrite work so accessible on line and off line. Can't do that once I'm back so year 7, 8 and 9 will not get much after June 15th.

Couldn't agree more with @nevertwerknaked

Agggghhhhhhghghhghhhhh

We did not say we wouldn't teach on line. I am. Many many state teachers are. However some were told by the council they are in not too. Not teachers fault. DO NOT GENERALISE AS ALL TEACHERS.

@Flaxmeadow - seems you have started on the pop already!

@Flaxmeadow my DD works in a supermarket and they had SD introduced on first day of lockdown. They then got gloves and by 2nd week Perspex screens and masks if want one. All for this for having about 50 people in a store that is bigger than over 30 of our classrooms. Not really the same as me and 15 teens with no PPE in a space with limited opening windows for 5 hours a day. Maybe I'll go work at Waitrose

It has been tough for all and CV has certainly shown some people have a real chip on their shoulders when it comes to education.

Most teachers, like most other workers, have done their best given the quick change in circumstances. A lot of teachers, like a lot of other WFH, have caring responsibilities as well.

Everyone is muddling through the best they can. We can only go with the every changing guidance from the government and the dfe

#workingclassandproud

@StaffAssociationRepresentative well said. And I too am working class and proud. And I will support all kids, but will go the extra mile for those who need it more.

@Flaxmeadow

Post something worthy of debate instead of bullshit, lies and hyperbole and maybe you will get one.

The govt want people blaming anyone but the govt for the mess we're in. It doesn't work on everyone but mumsnet is fertile ground.

Having perspex screens in school is only possible if the head wants you to though, if the head says no then you can't just pitch up and install your own.

@StaffAssociationRepresentative

It has been tough for all and CV has certainly shown some people have a real chip on their shoulders when it comes to education.

Most teachers, like most other workers, have done their best given the quick change in circumstances. A lot of teachers, like a lot of other WFH, have caring responsibilities as well.

Everyone is muddling through the best they can. We can only go with the every changing guidance from the government and the dfe

#workingclassandproud

Absolutely right. We do our best, despite the frequency of negativity received from MN.