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Original poster

If You Could Choose Any Education Option for Sept

999 replies

IDSNeighbour · 14/08/2020 22:54

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.

OP posts:
monkeytennis97 · 17/08/2020 12:44

@noblegiraffe

I’ve seen Us4Them admins being called out for abusing teachers on twitter too.

At least they’re doing it under their own name there and not pretending to be completely oblivious to the group like they do on here.

I've been told by U4T on Twitter that I didn't care about the kids.

Fools.

WhenSheWasBad · 17/08/2020 12:48

I've been told by U4T on Twitter that I didn't care about the kids

You’re like me monkey in it for the massive salary. GrinSad

RedCatBlueCat · 17/08/2020 13:01

@ChavvySexPond I think I was going in normal timetables, so a full week at school, then switch for a week off.
I agree mornings and afternoon splits would be tricky - not least that there are no busses to get the kids to/from school at midday.
I guess a Monday/Tuesday or thursday/friday week could work, but not sure how you would timetable it.

BigChocFrenzy · 17/08/2020 13:23

B, but allow D for those who want it

sunseekin · 17/08/2020 13:55

@RubyMuseday

Weirdly their stance made me realise how wrong they were!
Exactly. They’ve done themselves no favours.
sunseekin · 17/08/2020 13:58

@RubyMuseday

C. I’d be happy with a combination of B and C. D if necessary and a right to D for all. Absolutely not A.
Spot on! Surely common sense will prevail! Wish the government could be braver; feels like they’re just waiting to scapegoat the unions.
ChavvySexPond · 17/08/2020 15:06

[quote RedCatBlueCat]@ChavvySexPond I think I was going in normal timetables, so a full week at school, then switch for a week off.
I agree mornings and afternoon splits would be tricky - not least that there are no busses to get the kids to/from school at midday.
I guess a Monday/Tuesday or thursday/friday week could work, but not sure how you would timetable it.[/quote]
Ah I see. I misunderstood. That would be better. It's all a childcare nightmare though, isn't it. The government will have to lean on employers hard.

The transportation issue is a whole other mess isn't it? It makes a nonsense of "bubbles"

I am very glad I don't have to work this all out. (Although I keep trying to. Grin)

Our schools have some advantages that help. Some classrooms have exterior doors so the children don't have to use the corridors, the hall has multiple exterior doors that can be thrown open for ventilation for teaching classes in there. They have outside space so classes under a marquee with open sides are an option if it's not too cold.

These aren't normal times, school is not going to be normal, and we're all going to have to adapt. I hope most people can,

Making the best of things rather than denying a reality we don't like seems the healthier example to set.

On the negative side. The classrooms weren't exactly spacious before, and I just can't imagine how it's even possible to social distance a whole class.

ChavvySexPond · 17/08/2020 15:12

@FrippEnos

There whole argument is flawed when it is lead with

"All schools must open"

We already know that this is happening. yet this is what they lead on every time.

I know, it's bewildering.

No one is saying they don't want schools to open.

Schools definitely are opening.

They're only closed because it's the school holidays.

Schools have been open throughout.

Honestly, when someone insists something "must be made to happen" which is in fact already happening, and not in dispute, I often wonder what reality looks like to them. Because they are clearly not living in the same one as me.

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 17/08/2020 15:43

Honestly, when someone insists something "must be made to happen" which is in fact already happening, and not in dispute, I often wonder what reality looks like to them. Because they are clearly not living in the same one as me.

@ChavvySexPond - well said! That is how I have felt for most of lockdown. Luckily I found a number of people who were on the same planet as me.

ChavvySexPond · 17/08/2020 15:53

@StaffAssociationRepresentative

Honestly, when someone insists something "must be made to happen" which is in fact already happening, and not in dispute, I often wonder what reality looks like to them. Because they are clearly not living in the same one as me.

@ChavvySexPond - well said! That is how I have felt for most of lockdown. Luckily I found a number of people who were on the same planet as me.

Sadly, there seems to be a lot of it about nowadays.
ChavvySexPond · 17/08/2020 16:05

I've just been on Twitter looking at Us For Them.

They don't seem to be posting about the A level results debacle much for a group so dedicated to the education of British children.

Hmm
Legwarmers · 17/08/2020 16:11

A - but with masks for adults and regular temperature checks for children.

JellyBelly78 · 17/08/2020 16:20

C would be my first choice

monkeytennis97 · 17/08/2020 16:57

@ChavvySexPond

I've just been on Twitter looking at Us For Them.

They don't seem to be posting about the A level results debacle much for a group so dedicated to the education of British children.

Hmm

Haha yes.... "We must all go back of course it's safe the government say so".... 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️
listsandbudgets · 17/08/2020 17:02

Ideally A but I'd settle for B.

I spoke to DD about this last night. She's about to go into year 10. Her view is she's desperate to return to school and if that means wearing masks, then that is what she'll do. She reckons senior schools should just give in and add them to the uniform list in uniform colours Grin

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 17/08/2020 17:11

@ChavvySexPond

I've just been on Twitter looking at Us For Them.

They don't seem to be posting about the A level results debacle much for a group so dedicated to the education of British children.

Hmm

They are not really interested in it. Really they want wrap around childcare and pink prancing unicorns.
ineedaholidaynow · 17/08/2020 18:38

DS is going into Y11 he is quite happy to wear a mask, his school is allowing teachers and students to wear them if they want.

Us4Them Scotland appear to be complaining that children have been made to go outside in the rain.

WhenSheWasBad · 17/08/2020 19:10

They are not really interested in it. Really they want wrap around childcare and pink prancing unicorns

Whereas what they will likely get is a second wave and lots of school closures.

Kidneybingo · 17/08/2020 19:13

I think many of U4T are primary concerned as well, so childcare is a greater concern than exams.

Mistressiggi · 17/08/2020 19:29

Us4Them Scotland appear to be complaining that children have been made to go outside in the rain
There are people near me complaining on Facebook that their dc were made to stay in and it was too cramped.
Can't please anyone.

Jrobhatch29 · 17/08/2020 19:30

A
We could cope part time if needed.
However, online learning and worksheets is not an adequate education for young children. If I was dishing out worksheets or online activities to my primary class the SLT would sharp have something to say about it. Young children need practical resources so I would like to see children given resource packs with numicon, cubes, 100 squares, place value counters, sound cards etc so they can learn the same way they would in school. To me this is just a as adequate WiFi and technology.

Uhoh2020 · 17/08/2020 19:39

@WhenSheWasBad

They are not really interested in it. Really they want wrap around childcare and pink prancing unicorns

Whereas what they will likely get is a second wave and lots of school closures.

Just like the second wave VE day, packed beaches, BLM protests, and lockdown restrictions lifted were going to cause? Yeah the elusive second waves, going off them predictions we should be on the 5th or 6th wave by now
Jamhandprints · 17/08/2020 19:40

E please.

Wow, I'm surprised that so many are choosing A.

noblegiraffe · 17/08/2020 19:48

VE day, packed beaches, BLM protests

Outside.

lockdown restrictions lifted

Social distancing, masks, mitigation measures.

Schools reopening with no mitigation is not like these things, especially secondary.

Uhoh2020 · 17/08/2020 19:50

@noblegiraffe

VE day, packed beaches, BLM protests

Outside.

lockdown restrictions lifted

Social distancing, masks, mitigation measures.

Schools reopening with no mitigation is not like these things, especially secondary.

Still didn't stop people shouting about second waves because of them though did it