The government is trying to make you think schools will be socially distanced

[noblegiraffe]

The government are currently running a (well publicised) propaganda campaign to say that schools are safe. They are using social media influencers, journalists and friendly scientists (firmly ignoring any unfriendly ones like the Royal Society). Branwen Jefferys of the BBC tweeted “So how high is government anxiety about school return? A PR company acting on behalf of the Cabinet office is now emailing media offering experts to support the “messaging”. Strange way to approach news journalists ..”

And just about every news outlet running stories about schools seems to be rotating stock footage of half empty classrooms with teachers miles away from the kids. There have even been photos of kids getting temperature checks (not allowed). I was watching Sky news where a commentator was saying how awful it was that kids would be sent back to socially distanced schools. The PM gave a rambling speech to carefully spaced kids in a library. And in a visit to a classroom it’s clear that the kids were all shoved down one end in order to give some lovely spaced kids at the other end for the PM to pose in front of.
metro.co.uk/2020/08/27/boris-johnson-staged-school-visit-social-distancing-13188600/

Matt Hancock was on the news saying it was really important for teachers to stay 2m from the kids to avoid spreading the virus between all the bubbles they’ll be working in, despite knowing that this will be utterly and hopelessly impossible.

Why are the government lying? Why are they sending the ‘right’ experts to the press? Why are kids being spread out for staged photo shoots instead of honest pictures?

And why are the press largely going along with it?

Schools are going back, in a lot of cases to an estate that is unfit for purpose. Old buildings, no ventilation, large class sizes. Pupils will be crammed in facing a teacher who won’t be able to stand 2m from them. If it’s so safe, why aren’t they showing and acknowledging the reality?

YABU: what they are doing is fine and there are perfectly reasonable explanations for all the suggestions of socially distanced classrooms and schools in the media

YANBU: the lying liars are lying to us again

Every time I suggested new spaces on mn I was told not enough staff.

Ideal solution is lots of new spaces but where and who can we get to teach there.

Stopped suggesting it as it became clear that so many thought it impossible.

Yes, the parents who are insisting that part time schooling isn't an option aren't addressing the fact that 14 days quarantine is a very real and looming issue for many.

As for laptops not turning up all the more reason to get students in.

YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

Its a poor situation and its a same that so many can't see it for what it is.

I really don't understand. To keep schools open staff need to be well. To keep staff well we need to have safety measures. Or staff will get sick, what with not being children. So let us have screens and masks, as they do in shops and offices. Then we can safe(r) and stay well so we can teach. It's so easy - I don't get why people think shoving 2,000 people into small spaces daily is going to end well. Bubbles are a joke when 300 each, kids all on transport together and going home with siblings in different bubbles.
I want to teach and I want schools to stay open. So protect me and they will. If you don't then schools will close.
Shall I say it again a different way ?

Every time I suggested new spaces on mn I was told not enough staff.

Yes that is true if the extra space is being used for teaching. If it is being used for supervision of pupils who are on an 'off week' given that parents are saying they can't have them at home, then that would be something else to consider.

I don't think we've seen all the options properly explored because the lack of funds is an instant shut-down.

@noblegiraffe

But I don’t think three endless threads trying to whip hysteria up on MN are healthy at all.

You'd prefer that the government were allowed to run their propaganda campaign without anyone flagging up the issues?

Interesting.

But you’ve flagged up the issues.

Again, and again and again.

I think the trouble with MN is that if you post regularly, especially on a specific topic it's easy to become a bit obsessive and for want of a better word aggressive when people don’t agree, and surely it can’t surprise you that on a parenting forum people will disagree about such an important matter.

A lot of the time it isn’t particular approval or otherwise of the government, it is recognising that some problems are insolvable and a best fit is really the only answer.

Is it really positive to remove fines, allow parents to keep children away from school indefinitely? On the face of it yes, except when that’s taken advantage of by parents who have ulterior motives for keeping their children away from school. I’m not giving my view one way or the other there, I’m pointing out that actions have consequences.

But when people point this out to you then you immediately become aggressive and accuse people of being stupid and supporting the government or not knowing what they are talking about.

Those things are not healthy - however driven they may be with a sincere desire to have the wellbeing of teachers at their heart.

I genuinely think that your desire to post and support is there but you seem oblivious to the fact that lashing out because you think you are right isn't a helpful or supportive instinct. In particular, I just don’t see how endless variations on the same thread is helpful to anybody.

As for laptops not turning up all the more reason to get students in.

erm. That's like DH doing the dishwasher badly and the suggestion being that I should do it in future.

I have seen what my children’s school are doing and I am satisfied. To that extent - I am happy at sending them back.

I'm not sure why you find my question funny noble - for all I know you could be SLT in your own school.

Obviously you feel undervalued by your own SLT and quite powerless in your own school. Not all Schools undervalue their staff like yours do.

Other than finding a teaching position in a different school that values its staff, all I can suggest is that you get together with other teachers and staff in your school who feel like you do and form a 'force' to let your SLT know what you want.

Noble they are better in. You can cry out for things to be paid for but you are whistling in the wind.

I mean you can post all day on it as you wish. Realistically funding isn’t endless.

Clavinova The money refunded by exam boards has already been earmarked by the government for students who want to do Autumn resists so mine has been spent. No savings at all! 🤷

^Unmarkedbythat

Why are they lying? Because they lie constantly, blatantly, and get away with it.^

This.

And I agree OP. Teacher of 10+ years. And I think schools do need to open, but that many parents have no idea what a class of 30 looks like in general, and how little attention their child gets. I also agree with a comment on another thread that the Government ruling out part time/staggered classes in spring, and spending all their energy discrediting teachers instead of exploring ways to make schools safer purely because they dont want anyone to sample, and get a taste for, smaller classes and a better education.

MarshaBradyo

There are reasons against marques and portacabins.
For permanent buildings less so.

And yes we would still need teachers, something that there is a lack of at the moment for many reasons.

as for wanting money.

The government can find it for restaurants etc. but not for education.

They struggled with laptops, that when they turned up were locked and unusable.

ineedaholidaynow

Your link says the government met 88 per cent of its target (laptops/devices) by the end of June - if 88% of teachers had stepped up to deliver live lessons during school closure we might be looking at blended learning next week instead of a full return to school.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8666413/How-schools-England-ready-welcome-pupils-back.html

Government sponsored ad.
Daily Mail link for those who get an attack of the vapours.

noble will these threads stop when you are actually back in school and teaching again? Or do you plan to keep them going?

It is not perfect, nothing in life is, lets just get on with it shall we.

Clavinova

A made up percentage!

I take it that you couldn't find a c&p for your 'evidence'

@MissCharlotteBartlett

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8666413/How-schools-England-ready-welcome-pupils-back.html

Government sponsored ad.
Daily Mail link for those who get an attack of the vapours.

Oh, that’s just another article implying that poor people don’t look after their children, it is bollocks. But variations of this theme have been ongoing. I think it was right schools closed. I also think it’s now right for them to open again.

all I can suggest is that you get together with other teachers and staff in your school who feel like you do and form a 'force' to let your SLT know what you want.

Congratulations, you've just invented the union.

SLT don't have the power in this though, the government do. And the government are ignoring the unions while telling the press lies about them.

@Seeline

If private schools can require masks, why can't state schools? (Leaving aside other issues of enforcement, cost etc for now)

Is the guidance issued by the government 'just' guidance or is it actually law? The public seem quite happy to ignore 'guidance' in other situations (gatherings, visiting other houses, SD with friends etc), so why can't the schools do it?

State schools can require masks. My DCs school does.

MissCharlotteBartlett

Are you falling for the propaganda or just showing us that it is out there?

@FrippEnos

MarshaBradyo

There are reasons against marques and portacabins.
For permanent buildings less so.

And yes we would still need teachers, something that there is a lack of at the moment for many reasons.

as for wanting money.

The government can find it for restaurants etc. but not for education.

They struggled with laptops, that when they turned up were locked and unusable.

The trouble is to double school size is so expensive. Italy spent €2.9bn which yes us better than nothing but it got them 40,000 teachers. Here that’s one and a bit per school. One extra teacher doesn’t solve the numbers issue.

Yes eating out scheme went ahead but we’re in a hole when it comes to spending. Consumer confidence is low but many have money to spend. Stimulus is all about spending increase to decrease mass unemployment.

On a macro level I agree with Sunak’s approach and with Whitty that dc are better in than out.

The only thing I’d change is funding for a list which didn’t include reducing class time. I think your list! Can’t remember. But if we were to meet somewhere I’d start with that, and write to MPs fir that but yes a bit late now. - although still worth it.

toffeecashews

From the new u turned u turn.

Schools can require masks in communal areas.

If the head is ok with it. (paraprhased)

Still no masks in classrooms.

And an addition of "if heads allow it."

So still as clear as ever.

I genuinely think that your desire to post and support is there but you seem oblivious to the fact that lashing out because you think you are right isn't a helpful or supportive instinct. In particular, I just don’t see how endless variations on the same thread is helpful to anybody

On another thread a poster has said that my threads have helped them keep a grip on reality in the face of incredible gaslighting.

I don't think it is good to let propaganda run unchecked. I don't think this government has a good record or are in any way trustworthy.

And telling me off for starting threads really isn't going to have the outcome that you hope it might.