1600 paediatricians have written to the prime minister

[havefunpeleton]

Demanding schools reopen or risk scarring a generation. Reported in Times today.

I am hoping this will be the push needed to ensure this madness ends and all our children can go back to school full time in September.

if we were talking about months and months of no socialisation I would agree with you, but at this point we are talking about less than 3 months of a disrupted scenario but still with plenty of opportunities for social interaction. It is not ideal but SN and pre existing MH issues aside children should not be 'damaged' by this experience and if they are that is a reflection on the parenting that is taking place more than anything.

Breathtakingly naive - or worse.

"I hope the government have realised just how entrenched the position if the unions (and some teachers posting) is. "

Rubbish
The education cockup is the fault of the government

Unions in Germany aren't any less protective of members
However, central and local government worked for several weeks with unions and school heads to develop plans for schools

Calm leadership. clear aims and working together with all stakeholder is a strategy that works

In contrast, a UK government in chaos, ignoring education experts, clearly looking for scapegoats, isn't trusted

If the government finally decides to abandon all SD in schools and require all vulnerable staff to return,
that would at least be a clear policy and the only way to resume ft in September

However, so far they haven't the guts to take responsibility for the possible consequences of reversing their own rules about bubbles and SD.

So instead they spin about union obstruction

havefun - no one is saying that it hasn't been difficult but the fact is parents have been in a position to mitigate an awful lot of that for children. The idea that whether schools are open or closed is the only factor in whether children are 'damaged' or not is simply ludicrous.

That paragraph is interesting @lemonsandlimes123. It is putting so much pressure on schools to be responsible for those things. All of those should be the responsibility of parents, why aren't other parents up in arms that there are children in families where parents aren't even providing the basic parenting skills, instead of blaming schools.

ineed- because it is easier to blame schools than accept that in this time of crisis the primary responsibility for children has reverted to parents and many of them have not enjoyed that or found it very challenging and basically want to find someone to blame.

@havefunpeleton vulnerable children can have been in school all the time. If they haven't been in whose fault is that, not the schools but the parents. All schools I am involved in have been doing everything they can to get vulnerable children in or keeping in contact with families, visiting them (social distanced) to check on their welfare.

@lemonsandlimes123

But can't you see that yes of course parents are doing their bit. Yes other services need to do their bits. But this thread is about schools. That is a vital part of a child's life and development.

@havefunpeleton

If you read back in this thread and others. Teachers are posting that all kids should be fine. Even if they're not. Vulnerable children are the responsibility of others not school. No way would ex teachers volunteer to help out if needed. Anyone who is concerned about their child's education or welfare is a terrible parent....

I cannot imagine any other profession making these statements. It's like watching a car crash

I'm not sure what you don't understand. What's needed to get all children back to school? Under current government rules schools need double the classrooms, at least, and twice as many staff. So, government need to facilitate that - sourcing classroom space, sourcing teachers and paying for it all.

If government decided to remove SD rules and bring back classes as normal then they need to.provide protection for staff.

So, it's up to government really isn't it? Either they need to find money, buildings and staff or they need to remove restrictions and provide PPE for staff. That's who you should be complaining about - government.

I also find this concern for vulnerable children to be somewhat disingenuous considering that those children have always had a school place available.

Yes. The government need to scrap SD in schools. Have you signed the petition?

@havefunpeleton where are the threads bashing social services from parents concerned about other vulnerable children. Have you started a thread about these other services not looking out for children in lockdown?

havefun - you mean the govt need to scrap SD altogether I take it. You can't mean only in schools as that would be absurd.

@lemonsandlimes123

Whether I'm not you find mine and others concern for vulnerable children disingenuous (!). This is about getting ALL children back to school

All schools I am involved in have been doing everything they can to get vulnerable children in or keeping in contact with families, visiting them (social distanced) to check on their welfare.

There are always children who are experiencing dreadful things where the school has absolutely no idea that is the case. You see it on here where people have kept sexual abuse a secret well into adulthood because they couldn't tell anyone. Children slip through the cracks all the time. I did - I came from an affluent, educated home and lots about my home life was very damaging. There is no way on earth most children who are being hurt in some way are on the radar. There aren't the resources to help everyone and lots of adults spot all sorts of signs.

@havefunpeleton

Yes. The government need to scrap SD in schools. Have you signed the petition?

Nope, because it's not up to public outrage to determine public health policies. Scientists studying this and with access to all of the data are advising what is and isn't advisable. I'll let them advise government.

If they decide SD can end but PPE must be worn in schools would you accept that?

It will go to 1m soon

Any SD in schools is simply not feasible.

@CassandraKnew

Sadly I think we all know that the answer to this: It will answer one question, whether 1,600 paediatricians have more clout than 1 premier league footballer. is no they don’t.

Pretty sure they could find 1600 virologists who will sign a letter telling you how dangerous for society opening everything back up as normal would be.

@havefunpeleton

It will go to 1m soon

Any SD in schools is simply not feasible.

It's not just SD, it's the bubbles of no more than 15 students - again that's government not schools.

Teachers can't teach in masks. If they want to wear them at other times that's up to them

I predict the bubbles will conveniently become bubbles of 30 soon

@havefunpeleton

Teachers can't teach in masks. If they want to wear them at other times that's up to them

Why can't they? Drs and nurses are working in masks, why can't teachers?

havefun - please can you confirm that you think there shouldn't be any social distancing anywhere.

I also find this concern for vulnerable children to be somewhat disingenuous considering that those children have always had a school place available.

My friend at school was being raped at home for over eight years before a single person realised or intervened in any way. School was her escape each day from being harmed even if no one did help her. It was a safer place for her.

It's honestly pretty disgusting to label other peoples' concerns disingenuous given what those concerns relate to. Lots of people posting here will have been abused growing up too so they know the reality lots of children are facing and how hidden a lot of abuse is.

I can only repeat that many many vulnerable children will not have been offered a place because the things they go through at home are not known about. They are safer in school. They deserve to be out of their homes for a breather each day.

Pretty sure they could find 1600 virologists who will sign a letter telling you how dangerous for society opening everything back up as normal would be.

Going back to normal yes an issue, but prioritise schools. Government can look at Germany for a good example.