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Original poster

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

999 replies

noblegiraffe · 28/08/2020 08:58

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

OP posts:
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LindainLockdown · 28/08/2020 20:52

Dear God, if there is still a teacher in the land that thinks the DfE gives a shiny shite about them, where have you been for the last 10 years.

Kaktus · 28/08/2020 20:53

@CallmeAngelina

Anyone know why Leicestershire follows a different pattern of term dates to most other counties in England? I've been teaching a long time and I'm embarrassed to say that I never knew this.
It came about in around the 60’s I think... factory workers voted for it as it meant they could go on holiday to the seaside before everyone else was on holiday, so it was cheaper! It has been driving me slightly insane the past few weeks when everyone has been saying ‘when schools go back in September’. Our poor headmistress had to make all the plans knowing she’d be chucked a curve ball a week into term, as even Boris seems to have no idea that a lot of schools have already gone back!
toffeecashews · 28/08/2020 20:55

@CallmeAngelina

Anyone know why Leicestershire follows a different pattern of term dates to most other counties in England? I've been teaching a long time and I'm embarrassed to say that I never knew this.
www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-council-makes-decision-changing-2045681
CallmeAngelina · 28/08/2020 20:57

Thank you

Piggywaspushed · 28/08/2020 20:57

Goose fair stuff iirc. Although that was always Notts but same sort of idea. Glasgow has the Glasgow Fair, too.

Kaktus · 28/08/2020 20:59

@Piggywaspushed

Goose fair stuff iirc. Although that was always Notts but same sort of idea. Glasgow has the Glasgow Fair, too.
It’s not to do with the Goose Fair (which as you say is in Nottingham). Notts does have odd holidays too though, a friend of mine teaches in Nottingham and they only have 4 week summer holidays, with two weeks for October and May half term.
Danglingmod · 28/08/2020 20:59

A couple of schools in my county and in a neighbouring one also have always gone back the last week in August, too. No idea why in their case.

toffeecashews · 28/08/2020 21:00

@Piggywaspushed

DfE did the Bank Holiday stunt before.

What a shower of shite.

What a surprise...fuckwits. Just reading it now to see what we will no doubt discussing in our third meeting in as many days to discuss back to school.
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 28/08/2020 21:02

The DfE’s worst stunt was publishing a workload reduction toolkit at the start of the summer holidays.

OP posts:
Downton57 · 28/08/2020 21:04

I am gobsmacked by the people on this thread urging a qualified, experienced maths teacher to quit her job if she doesn't feel safe. You really have no clue. It doesn't matter how many job seekers there will be in the next year or two, it won't alter the fact that there's a serious shortage of maths teachers! If you genuinely care about your children's education you should be begging for her to stay and campaigning for safe working conditions in schools.

Kaktus · 28/08/2020 21:04

Matt Hancock also announced grandly that schools in Leicester could reopen after the local lockdown... the day they broke up for the summer holidays. Twat.

Longwhiskers14 · 28/08/2020 21:04

@WhyNotMe40

Apparently the gov has just JUST released new guidelines for schools. Which open on Tuesday. This being a bank holiday weekend. The fuckers. We still don't know if teachers count as part of a bubble. I can't be arsed to read the whole bloody thing at this point on a Friday evening. Seriously, this government needs a bloody rocket.
Just saw the news breaking on Twitter. The DfE has had MONTHS to prepare for all eventualities when schools opened for the new term but has waited until now to come up with a four-tier plan B it has released tonight with the expectation schools will be ready to implement in a few days' time. The fuckers.
TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 28/08/2020 21:06

I just can’t read that latest guideline shit.

Someone on the radio the other day, said that saying schools were unsafe was almost regarded like an act of heresy.

I’m a teacher. They are absolutely not safe. And all the ‘measures’ will disappear within 2 weeks as they are unsustainable.

bettsbattenburg · 28/08/2020 21:09

@noblegiraffe

The DfE’s worst stunt was publishing a workload reduction toolkit at the start of the summer holidays.
Oh how hilariously ironic.

In the new piece of shit..sorry guidance:

"Face coverings will not be necessary in the classoom even where social distancing is not possible"

So older pupils have to wear them in shops where they have to do social distancing and are only likely to be there for 15 minutes but not in schools where they will be sitting together for aboiut 6 hours a day.

Still I don't need to worry, my DCs and I should all be sent home on the first day as we have no sense of smell.

FrippEnos · 28/08/2020 21:14

@MarshaBradyo

I can't see anyone being so unprofessional as just not turning up hmm

Well let’s see what Fripp says about the teachers doing it. Contract is being broken so that is obviously not an issue. Professionalism already gone. Wondering how much notice the school gets to cover.

Not sure what you want from me here.

I know several that have handed in their notice over the summer.

As for contracts being broken the employer has a contract to keep the employee safe.

So we can pass this back and forth as to who broken what contract first.

As for not being a professional.
Once again the DfE has published changes to their guidance late on a Friday, on a bank holiday weekend 4 days before some schools go back.

Its no wonder teachers have no confidence in the guidance.

Oldbagface · 28/08/2020 21:14

^^I am gobsmacked by the people on this thread urging a qualified, experienced maths teacher to quit her job if she doesn't feel safe. You really have no clue. It doesn't matter how many job seekers there will be in the next year or two, it won't alter the fact that there's a serious shortage of maths teachers! If you genuinely care about your children's education you should be begging for her to stay and campaigning for safe working conditions in schools.

This with massive shiny bells on

Oldbagface · 28/08/2020 21:15

Ballard that up bit you bet the point

WhyNotMe40 · 28/08/2020 21:15

I don't suppose anyone wants to ask the DfE poster on AIBU wtf they are doing releasing guidance yet again on a Friday evening of a bank holiday weekend?
Other than to piss off as many people in education as possible?
I'm tempted to start looking up voodoo dolls. I reckon DFE voodoo dolls would be a brilliant fundraiser for staffroom treats.

Oldbagface · 28/08/2020 21:16

Ballsed and but. Bloody phone

MarshaBradyo · 28/08/2020 21:16

Fripp you talked about some teachers not caring about the contract as they were leaving the profession. So I wondered if the school knew already or they’d just not turn up on the first day.

WhyNotMe40 · 28/08/2020 21:16

Can I just say again......the fuckers

bettsbattenburg · 28/08/2020 21:18

@WhyNotMe40

I don't suppose anyone wants to ask the DfE poster on AIBU wtf they are doing releasing guidance yet again on a Friday evening of a bank holiday weekend? Other than to piss off as many people in education as possible? I'm tempted to start looking up voodoo dolls. I reckon DFE voodoo dolls would be a brilliant fundraiser for staffroom treats.
Off to look for them now.
Oldbagface · 28/08/2020 21:18

Can I say hateful and dangerous fuckers

catsarecute · 28/08/2020 21:28

@Livelovebehappy

The options are there though. Those that feel their DCs will be fine can allow them to return. Others like yourself who are clearly anxious should keep their DCs at home and make alternative arrangements for their education ie home schooling or tutoring. Everyone has very different opinions on this Covid/schooling situation. There is no wrong or right way; you just have to do what’s right for you and your DCs.
YANBU OP. Not everyone can afford to give up work to home educate their kids, neither might it be the best long term option. The fact that they are threatening parents with fines if they don't return their children to school (even kids who have been shielding, or who have parents that have been shielding) is beyond appalling. It will lead to some parents deregistering when it is not in the long term interests of the children, and doesn't do anyone any favours. If people are sending their children back (I am, but am extremely concerned about it), we should be under no illusions that it is 'safe' or that the guidelines go far enough to protect them, although I am sure the teachers will be doing their utmost. They need to:
  1. remove the threat of fines so parents can home educate temporarily if they want to
  2. bring in additional safety measures (I would like to see temperature checks for a start)
  3. enhance the track and trace and kick it in fully after one confirmed case in a school (not two in 14 days as in the current guidance)
  4. support families financially who need to self isolate, so parents can afford to stay at home with their kids if they are ill/isolating.

They've had 5 months to prepare for this and get it right, if they make a mess of it don't let the government blame teachers - it's on them.