So it’s going to be back to school for privately educated children whilst state kids get thrown under the bus

[S1nkorSw1m]

So no more primary children in and secondary left until Sep at the earliest.Of course this gov aren’t bothered about the nation’s children as they prioritise the hospitality sector over schools. Most of their children will be in private schools getting an education.

What an utter shambles.

Our head sent round a survey of parents from yrs 10 & 12 re sending kids back in.

Yes - 75%
No - 11%
Undecided - 14%.

Newgirls - many/most private school staff have classes the size of the bubbles that have been put in place to protect staff, pupils and the community. So its pretty easy to set up as you already have the rooms and teachers. My friends class has 12 children in it. Last year of primary my son was in a class of 37.

My kids private school (max class size already under 15 pupils) had no intention of opening even for the government recommended years. They decided that two weeks ago. They will not open before September for any pupils.

However, yes, the online support is huge. It runs to normal timetables, live lessons and set work, staff are available on line for support. Stuff is marked, rewards given for good work. Even had a virtual sports day.

I do think the divide between state and private is just getting wider and wider, and it is heartbreaking. Every child deserves a good education.

The real question in surely why some schools have been able to offer a really good home learning program and some schools can barely provide a couple of worksheets a week...although it really shouldn't be a surprise that some schools are better than others.

Also private schools are businesses, so they run like businesses and seek to protect their revenue. To be fair if I was paying huge fees for my child's education Id expect them to think outside the box and provide it.

Stop blaming the teacher Unions!!! They are defending our rights as teachers!!! My Union is lay lead! We are worried about our safety our Union represents that!!!!

Why does everyone think private schools have more space? Yes, they have less children, but the ones locally to me, particularly those in towns, are all in old converted private houses, with tiny classrooms, especially the primaries. State schools tend to be in new builds with more space, but obviously with more kids.

I work in an Academy (Primary) in a fairly deprived area and the headteacher is very keen to reopen as widely as possible, so I expect they will start opening other years asap. It's 3FE modern-built school and they have set up a large marquee in the field so they have capacity to accept

Though of course there are ongoing discussions with the DfE about insurance and liability, if government guidance is not followed and places are offered to children outside of government stipulation.

Child or staff member infected, dies or left with life limiting illness ...family sues...child is outside of the year group government guidance stipulates...academy trust or LA, or even private school liable with no insurance to cover.

@garfieldisacat

Unfortunately the unions can come across as being obstructive because they are so vocal. There is a perception that teachers complain about their lot more than other groups. This gets on the nerves of people who also work in hugely stressful environments and work long hours. Add to this the fact that said people are now facilitating learning from home, sometimes with schools providing poor resources and support and you have a perfect storm.

I'm not saying the unions are wrong or that teachers aren't right to be concerned but I think it might benefit the sector to see how it looks from the outside.

It would also benefit parents though to appreciate that the current guidance is completely unworkable for a whole school and sometimes for the advised year groups!

Can I just point out here that we are paying fees???? As in at this very moment, whilst our children are not in school. 20% discount. That's it. So yes, I am definitely looking to send my DC back to school soon.

I really hate this inequality argument. Private education is there for all - if you can pay for it. You wouldn't have this level of outrage and sense of entitlement about having to live in a tiny flat whilst others live in mansions.

You would absolutely be welcomed into the private system - if you can afford it.

@garfieldisacat

Stop blaming the teacher Unions!!! They are defending our rights as teachers!!! My Union is lay lead! We are worried about our safety our Union represents that!!!!

Good thing the nurse's unions didn't pull this stunt in a national emergency.

If teachers won't go back to the classroom, then let's call it a strike.

*Can I just point out here that we are paying fees???? As in at this very moment, whilst our children are not in school. 20% discount. That's it. So yes, I am definitely looking to send my DC back to school soon.

I really hate this inequality argument. Private education is there for all - if you can pay for it. You wouldn't have this level of outrage and sense of entitlement about having to live in a tiny flat whilst others live in mansions.

You would absolutely be welcomed into the private system - if you can afford it.*

Yep - 100% agree.

@CarrieBlue when I say “open” that’s cause 1of the 3 independent schools in town shut completely during lockdown (2 remained open for keyworkers). All are now open for eligible year groups and keyworkers (one tried to get Y5 in as they have a lot of kids going for 11+, but insurers said no). Eligible children back in 5 days per week. All have said they will reopen as soon as they are able to to other year groups. (I know this because my kids are at one and have friends at the other 2). Majority of Private schools will have to do this in order to survive.

My ex works in a private school and they started back after half term - no boarding pupils until sept at the earliest, and day pupils have staggered teaching, but still allowed back.

The school is in rural Shropshire so may make a difference as figures have been low across this county.

Can I just point out here that we are paying fees???? As in at this very moment, whilst our children are not in school. 20% discount.

Agreed, but consider yourself lucky for getting that discount! We are still paying full fees.

That said, I'm very happy with the online schooling and pastoral care that the school has provided in trying circumstances.

DD's independent has been very clear that they can't reopen to other year groups outside current government guideline

Whoops pressed send too early! They can't open outside the guidelines for state schools, i think they're not insured if they do

I am so outraged I have actually burst into tears.

@BunsyGirl

* @Juliet2014 My year 5 is going back to his private school tomorrow!*

Your school is breaking with explicit gov guidelines try opening of independent schools.

Yes, but it looks as though those rules are going to be dropped or relaxed now, and schools given greater discretion.

DC in state and private. Neither back before September and no promises given for that either. They are following government guidance. The private school is old and cramped and has an older workforce. - class sizes are more typically 24 and there is no room to socially distance. The state 6th form is large and modern but has no windows which open and a ventilation system which creates a circulation of air that will send droplets further than 2 metres social distancing. Both require buses to be running to get kids into school/college.

Let's not pretend there are not issues in both sectors. The government need a better plan. A plan that is different than for workplaces. Follow up the science that appears to show children and young people are not the superspreaders they were thought to be, asymptomatic covid+ people are rarely spreading it. Quick testing and turnaround of results to keep teachers, staff and kids in school who show symptoms but it is actually just a cold or other virus. Scrap the social distancing for them. Or at the very least, have half the school in half the week and send them home with homework, activities, youtube videos (surely these could be produced nationally) for the other half of the week. Something, anything but this idea that because it is not perfect, they can't do anything at all. At least open up a test school for the month leading up to the summer so we can see how the virus behaves. If you can get half the teachers, pupils and parents to comply, and test everyone involved every week, it needn't create a disaster if the children are spreading it more than we think. Then close the schools. But decisions need to be made which balance the harms to kids with the harms to everyone else and at the moment those decisions are being made on the basis of unknowns which could be known.

And I am not blaming schools. I am blaming the government.

My daughters at a private school year 7, she isn’t back until September either but she is getting amazing live lessons. My son is at state primary year 5, no plans to go back until September it would seem. I worry for both of them I am struggling to keep up with home schooling DS as I am really busy in my own job which I need to keep on top of to pay the bills! I worry for both of them in terms of social development. It seems ridiculous we can potentially go to Alton Towers on 4th July but not school.

I don't usually support the Gov but think they have decided not to fight unions/vocal parents on re opening schools. Listening to the radio there are many very vocal parents saying schools must remain closed. The government has consistently got the mood wrong in the country.

Lower infection rates What rate, it has been declining steadily?

A national plan for social distancing and guidelined for when PPE was appropriate?
There is a 2m distancing rule and schools should be able to make their own decisions regarding PPE. Retailers all follow slightly different rules according to the space available and staffing

Testing easily accessible for staff and children it is now available

Protection for extremely vulnerable staff schools should be shielding extremely vulnerable staff already

haveyouseen are you sure? No announcements till later today.

LA's at director level have no conclusive advice about liability and insurance if schools operate outside of government guidance, this has been asked and asked. No one (private, state, trust) can afford to take the risk of huge payouts, hundreds of thousands of pounds.it would finish them.

Unless you are a Director of Education....or Gavin....

Unfortunately at the time initial decisions were made there was a lot of pressure from the unions and many parents being vocal about not allowing their kids back.

Our school has been open to a high number of key workers kids all along.

It is open to R,1 and 6 (with 90% uptake)

We were ready for 10.and 12 to come back as half year groups from 1 June but the 28 May announcement from government did not allow this as we are following guidelines.

So online learning continues. The 10s and 12s will now be coming in only for a couple of days each and will have sessions re UCAS, PS and A level options only now.

I welcome the government's decision to allow all schools the flexibility to deliver what provision they can and wish to deliver.
If you are unhappy with what your school is providing approach them and ask for their reasoning. In many cases I suspect there is parental pressure not to open.

Yes let’s clap for carers and nurses who are paid a pittance, but it’s their fault if their children can’t go to private schools. Shouldn’t they have made different career choices??

ALL children have a right to an education. End of.