Schools reopening 2

[oldbagface]

Old thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3971862-Schools-Reopening?pg=1

It would be good to know the numbers of outbreaks by school type (primary, secondary, eyfs setting) as that might also help understand how the transmission is happening.

Particularly if the government doesn't make any extra money available for heating costs.

It's looking very unlikely. You just have to look at how little has been made available in other areas, and the hoops you have to jump through to access it. If I were a betting person I would say it's almost a dead cert they wont.

"Anyone think that Westminster is waiting for Scottish schools to go back before even considering if the plans are workable?"

You would hope that somewhere within the inner workings of government that it is some departments job to look at lessons learned from other countries experiences of reopening schools in order to learn lessons and fine tune any guidance accordingly whilst simultaneously making detailed well thought out contingency plans for different scenarios like local lockdowns, surge in cases or whatever.

Based on what we have seen so far this seems unlikely though!

Apparently to solve the inevitable temperature problems we, and the students, are now allowed to wear coats in lessons. This goes against the government guidance as it says not to relax the uniform expectations - our uniform policy says to remove coats indoors. Also not convinced it is legal to have freezing classroom, minimum temperature in a workplace that doesn't include manual labour is 16 °C.

Our school have sent letter out advising parents to put as many layers on as possible under the uniform, and to also wear a school fleece, as well as the jumper in class as windows open every day come wind, rain, shine!

Sorry!! Loads of mistakes in what I just wrote. Just woke up!!

@Illusionordelusion

Our school have sent letter out advising parents to put as many layers on as possible under the uniform, and to also wear a school fleece, as well as the jumper in class as windows open every day come wind, rain, shine!

Very similar to our school. Layers layers and more layers.

I was told just tot alk to my deputy head about the fact that my room has no windows and a door on to a windowless corridor.

He will just reroom me all over the school which will create another problem. The room is very large and I cannot actually turn the heaters off so I'll just hope for that.

It feels like out union rep has given up on us. The did raise ventilation but were just basically told that each individual teacher needs to raise it.

On our RA it just says open windows and doors...

Our windows in classrooms with them open a tiny tiny crack.

flags there in no minimum or maximum temperature for schools (this comes up annually when the heating in our mobile classroom conks out) : another way in which schools don't have the same H and S as other workplaces. This abuse of us as employees if pretty historic.

We’ve been told to have full waterproofs as they’ll be outside a lot

Can anyone post the ventilation thing in a different way? I don't have adobe acrobat...

I had year 10s complaining last week that the window was open. In summer.
I hope they get used to it quickly as they can really whinge if it's cold in a classroom.

Thoughts on the pay increase this morning - largest percentage going to teachers?
Feels very like a bribe... or a 'stop complaining, we've given you a pay increase what more do you want?'

@Pebble21uk

Thoughts on the pay increase this morning - largest percentage going to teachers? Feels very like a bribe... or a 'stop complaining, we've given you a pay increase what more do you want?'

Out of current school budgets I think, so there are going to be cuts elsewhere. Less cleaners or soap, maybe?

The pay increase was proposed in January for this next academic year. It’s just been worded in the media that it’s a ‘thanks’ for services during the pandemic.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-recommends-2-5-pay-rise-for-senior-teachers-with-starting-salaries-at-26k/amp/

And yes, it is to be awarded from current school budgets.

@Piggywaspushed

flags there in no minimum or maximum temperature for schools (this comes up annually when the heating in our mobile classroom conks out) : another way in which schools don't have the same H and S as other workplaces. This abuse of us as employees if pretty historic.

I've discovered it's only guidance anyway, the legal requirement is for safe working. Anyone got any recommendations for thin thermal gloves that allow you to write and are washable? Also thin thermal socks to wear under tights? I have circulation problems with my fingers and toes that are exacerbated by the cold.

@Flagsfiend I have Raynaud’s and as a runner wear thermals so can be outside without developing ‘the claw’.

Take a look at their site - they have a range of products.

www.raynauds.org/

Thanks @motherrunner I have (primary) Raynaud's too and it has never really been a concern before - but our taps at school can give scalding water out and if I've lost circulation I can't feel anything so could end up with scalded hands fairly easily from washing my hands. Also I can't write or type if I've lost circulation.

I (literally) feel your pain! I often lose the feeling in the side of my hand running from my little fingers to my wrist, especially if been marking for a while. I tend not to wash my hands in hot water as even lukewarm can ‘burn’.

I’ve seen on Facebook an advert for fingerless gloves but haven’t tried them out:

www.turtle-doves.co.uk/blogs/our-blog/turtle-doves-and-raynauds-syndrome-whats-the-story

They look good and are much less expensive than some of the others. I don't think I can justify £100 on a pair of gloves, plus I'm almost certain you couldn't put the battery ones in the wash. I actually have some wrist warmers already so maybe I'll try the theory of wearing them all day.

mother do you have a link to something that says it’s from existing budgets? I’m having a discussion with someone who doesn’t believe me 🙄

www.google.com/amp/s/www.tes.com/news/teachers-get-31-pay-rise-september-says-sunak%3famp

Thanks Flags :)

I love how the articles all focus on us getting the biggest pay rise but it’s dependent on schools budgets and other professions will have theirs backdated to April (teachers and police won’t due to how we’re paid Sept-Aug)