Schools fubared till November?

[Clemmieandareallybigbunfight]

Disruption to schools could continue to November, MPs told www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52895640

Is this a dystopian joke?

Are we actually trying to fuck up our kids?

Schools need to be instructed to open fully five days a week with enhanced on day cleaning, increased buses to allow distancing, staggered start and finish, covered but open refuge areas allowing distancing whilst outside in all weathers for breaks and no assemblies. Relatively low investment needed, huge gain economically but more importantly for our kids education and mental health. Some of these kids will never get back to school if they are out for so long. Some will fail to achieve their potential. And all for an illness with a tiny mortality rate overall?

Nike, if you don't have children, I'd question what you are doing on a thread insisting that schools reopen to accommodate the needs of working parents?

I AM working from home with dcs, and whilst my dh has been ill with coronavirus, so don't fucking lecture me about how hard it is for parents to wfh with dcs off school, if you don't even have dcs!!

I know exactly what it's like because I'm doing it every day.

If you're not, then you have zero moral authority to demand that parents go back to work to suit YOU.

@flowerycurtain I have just switched my son to a private school. His mental health has been boosted hugely by the sense of community and friendship from Interactive online lessons and the support and encouragement and education from teachers. I can work while he sits in the next room having a great time. Everyone is happier.

If unions hadn't blocked online teaching so vocally at the outset there would have been far less ire I think.

"Schools aren't childcare" but many teachers are also currently arguing that parents/worksheets can do just as good a job at providing an education. I can't imagine arguing my profession out of existence but there we go.

👏 MoreW1ne

Since 2011 the Tories have cut £7 BILLION off the Education budget, which means fewer books, fewer support staff and fewer "fun" resources such as PE equipment. Where were all the parents complaining about the impact that had on their children's education? My OH regularly buys books and materials for his class out of his own money because the school has so little spare.

Fear not everybody, OP will sort everybody out and we will all be fine

And I think most will remember fondly the time they had 6 months off school!! That's got to count for something.

Other things that need to happen for the “ kids’ sakes” are banning the wildlife trade, factory farming and gross exploitation of the earth by polluting companies so that these diseases do not become a long term threat to any normal or comfortable way of life for all our children. Those already planning their trips abroad etc would do well to consider this in the same breath as lamenting the fall out for their DCs.

Rage got the better of my logic there, should have said 'to demand that children go back to school to suit you'.

FFS why would someone with no dcs be demanding other people send their dcs back to school?

Seriously, I don't get it.

"Schools aren't childcare" but many teachers are also currently arguing that parents/worksheets can do just as good a job at providing an education.

That statement is utter bollocks. It's the Govt who has blithely told parents to get on with teaching their kids at home. Christ, why is everyone so angry at schools and not at the Govt whose response to this health crisis has been so piss-poor we've got 40k dead (although it's probably nearer 60k) and our kids can't go to school as normal?

@azaleanth90

Welsh schools have a plan. Why don't ours? It's surreal, parks are full of teenagers all over each other. They should be back in school now and let term run into summer to catch up a bit. Only children and teenagers are really suffering here.

They should be back in school now and let term run into summer to catch up a bit. Only children and teenagers are really suffering here.

Have you got any idea how much planning has to go into reopening a school? It's not anywhere remotely like just picking a date and going for it.

xxyzz - Nikedelaswoosh does have a child and also a record of posting fairly judgy things about other peoples parenting, so I really wouldn't worry about her trying to distract from the fact she is no longer able to answer any points that are being put to her.

The children seem to have been totally forgotten about through all of this. As restrictions are starting to be eased adults can now enjoy the prospect of a bit of retail therapy, sports to watch, tennis and golf to play, a natter in the garden and not long until the pubs will be open again. Meanwhile, our children still aren't allowed to go to school (and will potentialy have a restricted timetable even when they do return in 4 months time), the little ones still can't play on the swings, they get shouted at for riding too far ahead on their scooters/bikes/chasing each other (generally just bieng kids) because people seem think they are going to end up in hospital if the children come anywhere near them, children/teens can't play together yet don't have the emotional maturity to really deal with maintaining a long distance friendship through skype etc. Its really sad.

Lemonsandlimes, most people do not rely on benefits, correct.
It was one example out of many how the government do not see it the way that you do, or indeed many others do. The economy has been set up for two working parents and school enables that. It’s not rocket science.

I'd rather a hospital than a school. Patients don't lie like sardines and hug each other/share food. The buildings are bigger and people are more obedient in a hospital

Seriously? With a turnover of coughing sick people?

@countmeout You must have been towards the end. I started in the 1990s, and no medical.

Yep all schools back in Wales by the end of the month and they will be there for a month

But part time.

English schools have said YR/1/6 and some 10/12.

Neither have all children coming back at once.

SAGE also suggested a rota btw. The government went for three year groups full time.

I understand all of your frustrations and on Monday was very optimistic that we are moving forward in getting schools back. First day back Tuesday went great, well received by parents teachers and children alike. We had an inset day on Monday. Today one of a bubbles burst with a child having a temperature. Now I teacher and family , 1 TA family plus 11 other children and families isolating until the results come back from the test on that child and family. Plus if positive then a track and trace for anyone else in contact . Its amazing how wide the possible contacts have now expanded. We are now calling in another year group TA and teacher to teach the second bubble which are due to start on Thursday morning and another teacher and TA to teach the key worker children. If another bubble goes we will have nearly used up all our staff. on this burst and will have dig deep to find suitable staff to cover. This means the staff who were supporting children online ( I am online to help parents from 9 to 3 ) are now left without support. I was supporting my own class plus another class where children have not returned despite their year group being allowed in for various reasons I will try whilst managing the key worker children, Hopefully as infection rates decrease with everyone being sensible the less the bubbles will burst but it does their are huge knock on effects to other children and families. However we need to educate children and I do sympathise but at this time every life is precious so we need to proceed carefully. It is not the best situation but imagine what would have happened in a class of 30. This is going to be a way of life for a long time I fear as this virus is not going to go away. I welcome any reasonable solutions offered but as a school at this moment we don't have enough staff and our vulnerable staff are teaching and working only the most vulnerable are shielding , We also do not have enough classrooms to keep the bubbles separate. I want to teach full time but I want it to be safe for the children, their families and staff. We are trying our best in a difficult situation and I understand all about the detrimental effect on the economy as before I worked in teaching I worked in a bank in foreign exchange. We are all in this together through no fault of our own and will have to work together. So if you are parent and your child looks under the weather, does not feel well please don't send them in or dose them with calpol Please stay at home. I know its hard to work with the children at home and very limited childcare but just look at the effect of just one bubble busting has had . The ripples are big than you think.

I would love to know how many of the posters screaming about "education", "mental health" etc have taken their kids off school during term time for a holiday

The government have set the parameters for English schools. It's not the decision of the schools.

I’m with you OP

Welsh schools are being asked to educate 1/3 of the children at a time from the end of June.

English schools are being asked to educate half the children or 3/7 of the school (depending on whether there is a nursery) as of now.

I am not sure why posters consider these to be comparable.

So if you are parent and your child looks under the weather, does not feel well please don't send them in or dose them with calpol Please stay at home.

you do know that will never happen.

Schools even had to shut completely in the past because of D&V when parents refuse to keep their children home and lied snuggly about them being sick.

There's no chance in hell parents will keep sick children home.

They will play the "but I am working" card and justify it that it's easier to be called by the school than calling off sick in the morning...

I would love to be wrong, for my own family sake!, but realistically...

@ProsperTheBear I’ve never personally but let’s not pretend a week or two in Spain is comparable to months off school with next to no interaction with peers. Screaming about mental health?, Is MH just not important then? You wouldn’t be alone in that thinking. Never has been a priority, and this is all evident.

I do think some years matter, but lower year groups, I really don't think it really matter. My ds is in yr7, and I really don't think few months off school make a big difference. Children eager to learn are doing what they can anyway. Those who aren't eager won't engage even the school is open.
I moved to US when I was 12 because of my parent's work. I spoke no English. I caught up in few years. I missed all the work at my own country for 3 years. I caught up again ready to pass the entrance exam and go to Uni in my own country when I got back. I'm chilled because of my own experience.

I agree. Some kids have received zero education since lockdown and are at risk by being at home. Not everyone is even attempting home schooling. These kids need to be back in compulsory education today.