So what about schools?

[goldpendant]

I read someone on here the other day suggesting we need to build more schools.

I've been thinking about it and couldn't agree more - if indeed social distancing will be required for the foreseeable. If it isn't the drop it now, and get back to normal on school. The kids are jumping on each other in the park after school anyway.

But if they insist on distancing, build more schools and fast track teacher training. Invest like we did in the Nightingales; like it mattered. Like it's a looming crisis FGS.

I'm furious for the thousands of children being let down. I never thought they should have closed in the first place.

The vast divide between rich and poor, state and private provision only grows wider. It will be HUGE.

What do we need? Protests?

[Subordinateclause]

We are using all our TAs already just to teach our KW, R, Y1 and Y6 bubbles. Our sister school has already had to employ extra staff just to manage this. We need a solution to getting more children back, but staffing I think will be the sticking point.

[Iggi999]

Frippenos I'm picturing retired teachers on the run, fleeing over the border into Scotland

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

My parents are both retired teachers. They are in their mid 80s. I suggested over the phone to them today that they might like to return in this time of national crisis.

My father wet himself laughing. And his language was unrepeatable.

[FrippEnos]

Iggi999



I picture the government looking to retired teachers like this

[sleepydragons]

TAs and Teachers have very different skill sets, it's not as simple as asking the TA to suddenly teach the class. Even with doing the PGCE it's a very steep learning curve and a lot of people drop out, it's not the easiest course to pass.

[OneJump]

There is literally no way you could get me to go back. Someone else suggested I should see it as my duty. Not a chance.

The bile that has been spewed on here about teachers by people who have not a single clue about the reality teaching is just one of very many reasons why I won't be going anywhere near.

[Bowerbird5]

We have been doing it for years!
I have walked through the door many times to be asked to go and teach a class of often with no planning. Been teaching as PPA cover for about 15 years maybe more. Several classes from Nursery to Year 6 every week then pulled to cover staff absences or because they are needed for a meeting or helping to plan trips.

[MasterGland]

There is very little respect for teaching as a profession, in this country. All autonomy has been stripped away. They can recruit as many eager beavers as they like, but retaining them when they see the reality at the chalk face.... that is going to be difficult.

[Harpingon]

Litteraly no one wants to get involved in teaching atm. They will struggle to retain the teachers they have, many will leave due to the vitriol from some parents.
The volunteer army of sahm's is not going to happen either is it?

[goldpendant]

On recruitment though, last time I checked, independent schools are able to hire who they like (don't need to be NQT or PGCE etc) aren't they? Why couldn't a teacher/TA recruitment drive recognise other skills as a temporary solution?

[Flagsfiend]

Independent schools can hire people with no teacher training, although I can't imagine many do. The key word is training, teachers are trained so they can do a good job. Your view on whether sticking people in front of a group of students with no training is better than them being at home probably depends on if you see school as predominantly childcare (as long as they are safe it is fine) or education (you want them to actually learn things properly).

[CoronaIsComing]

Schools need money from the government though. Students would need to be paid, supply teachers would need to be paid, TAs would need to be paid the level 3 or HLTA rate. Many TAs these days are qualified to cover classes but why should they when schools have been paying them at the lowest rate they can get away with (because their budgets are so tight).

[goldpendant]

As I think I said on this thread or another, I think most working parents would take the opinion that a blended approach of childcare and supported learning would be better than nothing!

[CallmeAngelina]

I know numerous teachers who have left the profession in recent years. Not a single one of them would even entertain the idea of returning to the classroom, even without the current conditions.

[stairway]

If ex teachers that have left the profession for something better are now without a job ( if there is mass unemployment) they might be more enthusiastic about coming back!

[BelfastSmile]

I think using other buildings, maybe using eg sports coaches to take some lessons could be a viable short-term way to get students back to school in some areas (rural schools might struggle more to find empty halls nearby, for instance - but they may have other options, like a farmer willing to let them put temporary classrooms in a nearby field, or something - I've heard of this happening before when building work was being done!). Obviously in some areas there just won't be enough empty buildings, so they'd need a different solution.

But it needs to come from government - it needs to be funded, safeguarding checks need to be fast-tracked, they'd have to clarify who's responsible for things like insurance for the buildings, what if a child gets hurt off-site, who pays if something gets broken, and so on. If volunteers are drafted in, they should have clear expectations and responsibilities, plus assurance that they're not being left alone with 15 kids that they've never met.

It can't be left up to Principals and teachers, who have enough on their plates, and are not by any means logistics experts! The government needs to take responsibility for looking at various options and seeing what can be put in place. Principals can then work within the guidance to see what suits them in their own area.

[Groundhogdayzz]

Maybe we will see a shift to more outdoor learning, and other ways of learning that isn’t in the traditional ‘sat at a desk’ type. There are professionals that run extra curricular clubs but aren’t actually teachers, these could be utilised. Obviously this would mean less testing, overhaul of SATS and more flexibility in the way schools are assessed (less results driven), but it’s a way of getting putting children (and parents) mental and physical well being first.

[peonypower]

Maybe we should just get rid of stupid 2m distancing rule and limits on class sizes and get back to normal?

Swedish schools have been open throughout and infection rates among teachers are no different to any other part of the working population

[Backyard72]

How about shifts like in some Asian countries? One batch of kids in from 7am to 1pm, then a second batch in from 1:30pm to 7:30pm. Just being creative!

[NotAnotherUserNumber]

The big problem with anything related to schools is the sheer scale of doing anything. There are far more schools than hospitals so it just isn’t comparable. As an example, the annual budget for schools buildings is already 5 billion pounds.

[CallmeAngelina]

infection rates among teachers are no different to any other part of the working population
Ffs, I am getting SO SICK of reading this. No one has said they are different to the rest of the working population, but I have to wonder why I couldn't enter the timber merchant's today (because, you know, Covid) and why I'm not allowed to enter the GP surgery from Monday without a face mask "as per Government guidelines," yet in schools, all we need to do is wash hands frequently (forget the lack of soap though).
So, it would appear that we ARE different to everyone else. Less important.
Oh, unless we're needed for childcare.

[CallmeAngelina]

How about shifts like in some Asian countries? One batch of kids in from 7am to 1pm, then a second batch in from 1:30pm to 7:30pm.

And that second shift is taught be whom?

[Piggywaspushed]

Swedish schools have been open throughout : not for over 15s

stupid 2m distancing rule and limits on class sizes Sweden has SD at schools and small class sizes anyway

infection rates among teachers are no different to any other part of the working population assuming you mean In Sweden, I'd welcome your evidence.

[topcat2014]

The rules will magically change over the summer and everyone will have to go back

[Piggywaspushed]

Just also read there is no extra budget for schools for purchasing anti bac extra soap , washstands , any PPE. Money for extra cleaning and cleaners can only be claimed back if there is an outbreak.

Unlike any other developed country you could name.