If You Could Choose Any Education Option for Sept

[IDSNeighbour]

I'm getting so confused by what parents actually want to happen with schools right now (I'm not a parent, I'm a teacher). I want to know what home opinions my classes are going to be coming in from in Sept - whether they're likely to be nervous or confident, whether they will want to SD or not, etc.

I know parents aren't one hive mind but the 'loudest voice' seems to keep changing its mind. Or I hear different ones, idk.

I'm sure there used to be a board for polls and surveys but, if I wasn't imagining, I can't find it.

So, if you're up for an unscientific straw poll to help me gauge general feeling, can you post A, B, C, D or E in the thread (you can explain if you like, I don't mind!)
A - I want full time schooling as close to the old normal as is allowed
B - I want full time schooling but with safety measures such as social distancing and masks for all who can and are old enough.
C - I want blended learning (half in the classroom and half online)
D - I want to keep my child at home all the time, home school them and not be penalised (ie, I want my place back when I think it's safe)
E - I think schools should remain closed for most children for now.

@ineedaholidaynow

For those who have voted A have you thought about teachers? Yes the risks to children seem low, but there are more reports coming out that children, especially 11 and over spread it as well as or more so than adults. So if teachers catch it off the students and have to go home sick, what do you think schools should do bearing in mind many schools have very little or no budget for supply teachers and very few general TAs who could look after a class, due to funding cuts?

No my choice is based solely on what I think is the best for my children. May seem selfish but that's the truth. The situation they was in over the summer term is not sustainable for a quality education. Some children may have had excellent provisions last term, i don't feel mine did, although I'm grateful for what they did get it was nothing in comparison to being in the classroom .

A and B. Not convinced masks will make a difference though but other safety measures where possible may help.

A but would accept B.

Low risk area at the moment but previously was moderate risk.

Small village primary, class size 15 anyway. I'm WFH and school remote provision was poor. My daughter needs an education as well as interaction with other children, and based on the school size and local condition, there is no reason why that shouldn't happen, IMO.

D or C depending on the R value.

@Mamag82

Absolutely A. If there was social distancing or masks for my children I would keep them home. I’m so concerned for their mental wellbeing. The evidence is showing that children are at very low risk and the risk to their long term health is going to be greater if we don’t get them back to as near normal as possible.

Bugger the school staff then? Are your DC primary or secondary?

As a teacher can I just tell parents out there that school, come September, is not going to be normal at all. It really won't be this mental health healing panacea.

@Uhoh2020 yes, it is selfish. Cheers. Well selfishly I will be doing the best to protect myself and if that means distancing, wearing masks, opening windows, refusing to go into classrooms with no windows etc etc then I will. My DH is a teacher too. We are both worried.

A

Monkeytennis what are the main differences to June that will impact students happiness in school? I ask as ds was absolutely fine with June restrictions and I can’t see what bigger classes will really change for him. But he’s very keen to go back with his friends, signs about distancing etc are just background stuff. Threads re Scottish schools show reports from happy dc.

Also what happens if you refuse to work in a particular room? (The other stuff I get)

For secondary, C for a while with careful monitoring then moving to A/B as soon as it is safe to do so. Not sure with primary as I have no children in primary school.

A all day long.
And I,DH both my siblings and my dad are all teachers. Some primary some secondary all of us want option A.

A. Children need to be allowed to be children.
The evidence is growing each and every day that children are unlikely to be seriously affected by the illness and unlikely to spread it.
We've proven we can shut down very quickly if needed and so if that evidence proves wrong we'll find out quickly and I may reconsider. My number one priority at the moment is for children to feel safe being closer than 2m to others outside their household and not to feel they might 'kill granny'.

@MarshaBradyo

Monkeytennis what are the main differences to June that will impact students happiness in school? I ask as ds was absolutely fine with June restrictions and I can’t see what bigger classes will really change for him. But he’s very keen to go back with his friends, signs about distancing etc are just background stuff. Threads re Scottish schools show reports from happy dc.

Also what happens if you refuse to work in a particular room? (The other stuff I get)

I can only talk for secondary and also for my subject but I don't want to go into too much detail here but for subjects like mine the lessons are going to be so so different to normal.

@MarshaBradyo I don't know what will happen if I refuse to teach in a room with no ventilation. I guess I would have to contact the union for health and safety support.

[quote monkeytennis97]@Uhoh2020 yes, it is selfish. Cheers. Well selfishly I will be doing the best to protect myself and if that means distancing, wearing masks, opening windows, refusing to go into classrooms with no windows etc etc then I will. My DH is a teacher too. We are both worried. [/quote]
Of course people are going to consider the needs of their own children first. I am a teacher too but I appreciate a parents main concerns are for their kids and not for me.

C -

Part time, 2/2.5 days in (so obviously class split in half) to allow for social distancing both for children, teachers, and families of boths sake (not just those who were shielding but all those in the vulnerable category).

A- I have two in primary and one in secondary.

A

It’s stubborn to say evidence is growing every day that they don’t spread it. If you’re open minded you see evidence grows on both sides. And the studies that say they don’t spread it almost always assume socially distanced schools. Studies are showing they might even spread it more. We don’t know.

Germany is the latest country to see infections rise in schools where full classes are attempted. Following Israel, America, Australia.

I want socially distanced schools for stability for the children as much as for safety.

Completely support everyone who says A but please don’t cherry pick evidence.

A

Ok with B

Two primary school age children and two parents working FT (one NHS)

@Jrobhatch29 yes I know. I guess I'm almost done with teaching after 25 years..

I can only talk for secondary and also for my subject but I don't want to go into too much detail here but for subjects like mine the lessons are going to be so so different to normal.

Fair enough. Ds was secondary and it did actually lift his mental well being that day back to normal. Positive and happy to be back. But maybe he doesn’t do your subject or didn’t notice it.

A - but allow those who are in high risk to do C or D

A
Big fat A.

A

Apparently the country needs to learn the hard way.

A