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.

A

A

My choice would be C, moving to B or A after a term if infection rates haven't rocketed

I am a teacher and go for A. SD is just not possible or desirable for a good learning environment. Masks are a total non-starter. Even adults (eg working in supermarkets) cannot tolerate them so would be inhumane to try to force on children.

C for secondary school moving to B after a term and A half a term after that assuming all ok.

B for primary school moving to A after a term if all is ok

A

C

A

@Alittleodd

For those voting A (if you don't mind sharing) I'd be really interested to know why you didn't opt for B?

Is it because you actively don't want extra measures (believe they're ineffective, cause more harm, aren't necessary etc) or because you don't think they're possible?

Or is there other reasoning I haven't spotted? I'm really interested now!

I voted A because I have a reception starter, in and out would immensely confuse and disappoint her. She’s nearly 5 and desperate to be at big school.

C

I voted A because I have a reception starter, in and out would immensely confuse and disappoint her.

Curious to know why you think B would mean in and out of school, surely option A would be more likely to result in this?

@MadeFrom100percentPears

A A A A A

I'm also a teacher, hoping to go back to as normal a situation as possible!

You don't want any sort of protection as a teacher? I'm staggered that teachers are voting for A. You must be very young, normal weight and with no underlying conditions.

A

A

Personally D. But that's because we have a member of the family shielding.
But I think it should be C and when they are in wearing masks and distancing should be enforced.

I’m a teacher and a parent.

I think B for primary school. C for secondary.

although I teach in secondary, and have no clue how to simultaneously teach 15 kids in the classroom and 15 kids at home too. It’s probably the best option for reducing the spread of Covid and providing kids much needed access to school

A

Would love A to be possible, but realistically I think that would shut the schools before half term.
I think C is probably the most sustainable BUT the remote part of the teaching needs to be done properly, and not some random worksheets printed off every 6 weeks with no answers.

WhenSheWasBad in my head, you teach to half the class, and then send them away with work to be getting on with at home. Then the other half come in, and you teach the same thing. So 50% teacher input, 50% independent work.

In DS’s school they are setting up webcams to record the lessons for any child who can’t come into school. As most teaching will now have to take place in front of the class to maintain SD (secondary school) it should work reasonably well, hopefully.

It is a private school and does have some overseas boarders so is probably catering for them if they can’t/won’t travel to England for this term.

@Alittleodd

For those voting A (if you don't mind sharing) I'd be really interested to know why you didn't opt for B?

Is it because you actively don't want extra measures (believe they're ineffective, cause more harm, aren't necessary etc) or because you don't think they're possible?

Or is there other reasoning I haven't spotted? I'm really interested now!

I voted A for primaries but I don't think it should be completely business as normal. I don't think that it's necessary or ethical for young children to wear masks or socially distance but staff should have the option to wear masks and adults should of course be socially distancing. I think I fit somewhere between A and B!

Also, I wonder whether science teachers would be more likely to vote other than A

B probably only works well with C. So a mixture would be my choice.

A Primary - C Secondary. I just think masks and SD are unrealistic for any kids including (especially) teens!

B

Well actually A would be lovely but considering everywhere else has covid measures B is necessary to keep transmission low.

I'd also like a national plan B so if C or E becomes necessary then there isn't a further divide and disparity for pupils in what education they receive.

I don't thinks it's case of what we want. It's a case of what's safest for teachers and pupils and optimises the changes of eduction remaining undisrupted.

I’m a primary parent and primary teacher.

I’d like B in primary (no masks or social distancing for kids but real bubbles with a maximum on numbers and understanding that this will potentially impact children re: full curriculum and Extra curricular plus extra money for cleaner and cleaning products as well as additional toilets/hand washing facilities. Understanding that teachers socially distancing from young children is impossible).

I’d like c in secondary schools. This would help keep community transition down which in turn would keep primaries (including the fact they are used for childcare) open. I’d like to see a proportioned split of time in school dependent on year group (with exam groups being priorities, so maybe 5 days a week for year 11, 4 for year 10, and 1/2 for year 7,8 and 9 - potentially with those who are lowest academically accessing more in school learning). Having less kids in so can improve social distancing and wear masks (except those exempt). Clinically vulnerable staff to teach classes virtually (and money to have staff to supervise in school classes where needed). Vulnerable kids to have space to access distance learning (potentially utilising community buildings). Kids with SEN needs (who cannot access home learning for whatever reason) spaces full time in small bubbles as primary with social distancing if appropriate.

D for 6th forms as well as collages - money for technology to make this happen - but these are biologically adults so we shouldn’t be pretending they shouldn’t have to social distance.

I think the above would ensure we have the best chance of continuing education even if we have an increase in cases.