Honestly who’s responsible for stopping the plan for dc back to school

[sunshineanddaffodils]

Is it government, head teachers or unions?
I know its’s been blamed at lot on government guidelines but it seems different head teachers are able to interpret them completely differently - some allowing bubbles of 15 but some only focusing on social distancing even though this isn’t a requirement.
So are government being held to ransom by unions or not?

My DD's primary school have put thorough measures in place and every effort has been made to open the doors again but its painfully clear that it will be impossible with all year groups attending. Its not teachers/unions at fault - the government guidelines are impossible to adhere to unless someone magics up a second building. As a parent it's frustrating but I can't see what they are supposed to do

[quote twinnywinny14]@ArtiefufkinPolymerRecords will your school take back additional pupils in other years groups now then, seeing as they must have the physical space to do so?[/quote]
Well as the government has said it's now up to heads/governors rather than expected by all schools, quite possibly not (I don't know what the head is currently considering), as logistically it would still be tricky, but would be totally impossible full time.

At the moment we don't have the space because key worker groups are using the classrooms and the staff are covering those groups, so the key worker provision would need to end in order to bring other years in.

The story that asymptomatic children don't spread Covid is also questionable given PHE burst a school bubble on its second day because a child had tested positive - if there was no risk of that child having spread it why were 15 children and five staff isolated at home?

Clearly there is a chance that child could have spread it.

There is therefore a chance that any child might have it, albeit asymptomatically, and has the potential to infect other children or staff.

So, as there is a potential risk what is being done to protect staff, or the other children who might have vulnerable people at home?

The schools need significant investment to be able to meet the guidelines and get all children back in school.

Assuming new class sizes of 15 (which is actually fantastic, great for kids to have that size class).

Temporary classrooms and canteens need to be created as quickly as possible, potentially split site/ new schools being created.

Longer term development into permanent buildings to replace these temporary classrooms over time.

Immediate recruitment and fast track training of teachers.

Support re deployment of teachers who cannot return due to shielding into work from home roles, supporting distance learning for shielding children or other jobs as appropriate.

Proper distance learning options that give a good education for shielding children who cannot return to school.

Thing is, this would cost an absolute fortune. It is clear the gov doesn’t think our children and teachers are actually worth it. But it would be possible, and personally I think it should have been well underway by now!