Parents are the blockage at schools re-opening, not teaching unions

[noblegiraffe]

The government has spent months demonising teaching unions and blaming them for blocking schools re-opening, including in June when it was actually the government’s own guidelines that prevented the further re-opening of primary schools.

This has left them in a bit of a pickle because schools are re-opening in September, the unions aren’t blocking it, there are no plans for teacher strikes, but the latest survey data from the ONS says that only 90% of parents are fairly or very likely to send their kids back. If the data is similar to back in June, better off parents are more likely to send their kids back, and more disadvantaged families are less likely.

So the government are now running a campaign aimed at parents, putting out articles across all newspapers. The Chief Medical Officers have dutifully said that schools are safe. And the responses are ‘see, schools need to reopen, our kids are being thrown under the bus’. The message is being read the wrong way. It’s being read as being targeted at teachers and unions who it is supposed are stopping schools opening, and not at parents who don’t want to send their kids back.

And this is the government’s fault. Because they have spent months creating a fake war, they have dropped the ball on a real issue - creating safer schools that parents are happy to send their kids back to.

I think you do get paid for self isolating as a teacher? But possibly not if your dc’s school has closed?

No different from many other employees where you may just get paid SSP if you are self isolating.

X post with Herc

I see. I agree finding cover is not always easy, especially atm.

Forgot to answer the differ question.

Ime yes. Some are more forgiving and some less so. I've found honesty not to be the best policy sometimes and said I'm ill when it's my kids.

My current place is mostly OK. Pretty much anything is allowed unpaid. If you want paying then they look at how many prior requests you've had for planned stuff. Unplanned stuff is mostly unpaid. Though this is the same place that emailed me about not turning up for a performance management observation when I was in hospital soo...!

We'll be paid for isolating for ourselves. But if my childs pre school is shut for an outbreak, I won't have to isolate for myself. I'll be childcare so not getting paid. In reality I'll stay off until I have a negative test and take the hit because I can't live with the thought of passing it on.

@MarshaBradyo

I think you do get paid for self isolating as a teacher? But possibly not if your dc’s school has closed?

I don't think we've been told yet. Also not yet seen a risk assessment for the new term which starts in just over a week's time. At the end of term we were told no masks though I reckon that will change soon.

@Hercwasonaroll

We'll be paid for isolating for ourselves. But if my childs pre school is shut for an outbreak, I won't have to isolate for myself. I'll be childcare so not getting paid. In reality I'll stay off until I have a negative test and take the hit because I can't live with the thought of passing it on.

There are too many incentives to not isolate across our whole employment system.

There are indeed. And so people won't isolate.

And they will send their kids to school.

Maximum spread to the community following.

It’s almost as if that was the objective

The cynic in me thinks they’ve already decided what percentage of icu beds have to be filled before they’ll close anything. A good second wave before flu season kicks in would avoid the only thing they’ve ever been concerned about which is overwhelming the nhs.

I think the Government just don't understand the science. They don't see that this is an infection and it won't change the way it infects people to fit in with what is convenient for them or us.

We have been shielding. I am bloody reluctant to send my children into school unless I am convinced those schools are not a risk to the wellbeing of my family.

They haven't come up with a consistent plan for vulnerable people. It isn't thought through. It is all bluster and winging it and it isn't going to work. There are very many parents like me.

[quote roarfeckingroarr]@Shitfuckoh I don't know. I really don't. I'm so glad I don't have school aged children. I would be able to work from home if need be but so many people can't - do you suggest mothers parents give up their jobs / careers to protect teachers from a potential risk? [/quote]
It's interesting you should ask this, because every time a teacher expresses concern on here at being expected to risk their health in circumstances not comparable to any other job, they're told to leave. Begs the question, what are we supposed to live on? It's going to come down to the simple truth that we are going to have to temporarily change the way schools and working parents operate because one group is no more entitled to their livelihood and health than the other (and of course many teachers are working parents themselves).

@Parker231

Hardback - if your DC has to be off school because of a Covid case in their class and your DH then needs to be off work to look after them, I assume his class would also be at home due to a missing teacher? Does it mean unpaid leave for your DH? (I work in the private sector).

I will answer this one on the basis of my MAT's policy. We get two days per year for emergency leave and after that it's unpaid, so yes if my DC's bubbles close more than once each, my DH and I will have to cover it unpaid. It's tough tits though isn't it? We could choose to get by on one wage as a lot of families do but as we don't, we'll have to muddle through with unpaid leave until this is over or one of us is sacked and the decision is taken out of our hands.

Salty - I’m the same, emergency leave really is only for short term emergencies and to give you time to make other arrangements. DH is a GP so if he has to leave work, his appointments are delayed or cancelled. That has only happened once when DS broke his leg at school and needed surgery. I was working in the Far East. We don’t have any family in the U.K. so DD was looked after by a friend until I could get a flight home and DMil also flew over to help.

I suppose though, most parents who would need to take time off because their children are SI will be primary and that situation itself is less likely as primaries can operate proper bubbles.

From the Independent:

“But an opinion poll this weekend suggested just two-thirds of parents were preparing to send their children back to the classroom next week.

The survey, by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, suggests many remain unconvinced schools are safe.”

Two thirds ready to send their kids back is much lower than the 90% reckoned by the ONS.

Telegraph: “Boris Johnson today appeals directly to parents to send their children back to school next week amid fears they are the final stumbling block in the government’s efforts”

Told you it wasn’t the unions!

I completely agree. The main ‘governing’ of Boris and all is really campaigning. It is constantly targeting messages.

It is not getting on with the job of actually looking at things practically, sensibly and getting on with it.

@lunar1

I have absolutely zero understanding of the reasons behind the plan to send all children back full time from day one.

Yes our children need school, parents need to work. But we have all been doing this since March. They is no reason I can see why we aren't getting everyone back half time, testing things out and then increasing as the situation becomes clear.

I hate the polar opposite views that it's all or nothing!

This

I don't really see the point of the thread. No-one on here appears to be arguing that teaching unions are the main obstacle in getting children going back to school. And schools will be reopening, there is no "blockage".

@IceCreamSummer20

I completely agree. The main ‘governing’ of Boris and all is really campaigning. It is constantly targeting messages.

It is not getting on with the job of actually looking at things practically, sensibly and getting on with it.

Agree with this. Schools are opening full time because it is the least thought required and it looks good when written down as a headline.

We were so unlucky to have this government for this crisis. Imagine having a thoughtful PM!

@Graciebobcat

I don't really see the point of the thread. No-one on here appears to be arguing that teaching unions are the main obstacle in getting children going back to school. And schools will be reopening, there is no "blockage".

Then you haven’t been on MN for the last month. Or read any news.

@noblegiraffe

Telegraph: “Boris Johnson today appeals directly to parents to send their children back to school next week amid fears they are the final stumbling block in the government’s efforts”

Told you it wasn’t the unions!

I've only seen a couple of people on here think that it IS the unions. Some parents are concerned about it being unsafe due to the government not providing anything remotely near covid secure measures within schools. The PM/Government putting out these statements do not change that. Even the statement from the Medical Officers yesterday raised more questions & was a lot of 'May' 'May not' 'Possibly'.

Whilst I understand children need an education & I am so keen for my DC to go back to socialising with their peers & have their educational routine back, I am yet to be sold on it being safe - I'm referring to for all the school community, not just for children.

I really don't understand why that most parents want school to open and I assume they wants it done safely, though not many want teachers and students wearing masks.(secondary)
I will be sending my dc with mask on. Though I know it's ineffective if no one else wears them.
I know that my dc's school is trying to do the best they can, and I am quite sceptical if it's good enough to prevent spread, but I also know that school/teachers are not the enemy, I know they want the best for our children.