It feels like people on MN are willing schools to close

[Marcellemouse]

Lots of threads being really negative about schools reopening. These have been largely started by teachers, the latest one being about a gagging order on the BBC. My 2 and every other DC I know are thriving on schools opening again. DS actually stands a chance of doing well and getting back on track with GCSES. DC are happy and animated again. Their teachers have been fantastic, I'm massively impressed. Friends of mine who are secondary teachers are positive and happy to be back teaching in school instead of home learning. I just get a different vibe in RL than on MN about schools. What's the reality?

Double, there isn't that much choice. People are between rock and a hard place.
Parents should have a choice as things start to ramp up again

The post you didn’t like - I said my school was organised.
Please don’t infer I said something horrible.

For someone who doesn't want to prolong this, you are still getting the complaints in. You could stop at any time.

@StrangeAddiction

Well I'm extremely privileged to have a dh who is disabled and has underlying health conditions as well as elderly and disabled extended family who rely on me. I don't particularly want the schools to close but I fear what could happen to my family should the kids bring anything home. We have cut out all socialising and only shop online so the only way for us to catch Covid would be through the kids. I wonder how their mental health would fair after knowing they had infected a family member and they died.

Exactly 💐 You should have the right to keep your family safe and vulnerable teachers shouldn’t be forced into this position. All teachers should have reasonable protection.

Irl you see the brave and perhaps professional faces, on here you hear how understandably scared some people are. They might even be the same people.

People just want safer schools and a sustainable system and where possible, choice.

@AutumnleavesturntoGold

Double, there isn't that much choice. People are between rock and a hard place. Parents should have a choice as things start to ramp up again

Yes that's what I mean, I don't see why this could be such an issue?

The vive around me in rl is the majority are now backing closure

Im in the north east and our cases are going through the roof. People are scared. Bubbles are bursting all over the place and some schools have already closed. I know quite a few that have already pulled their kids out.

Still waiting for evidence that teachers want schools closed.

Or for MN to see through this poster and delete the goady thread.

MNHQ are soooooo slow on this.

@Willyoujustbequiet

The vive around me in rl is the majority are now backing closure

Im in the north east and our cases are going through the roof. People are scared. Bubbles are bursting all over the place and some schools have already closed. I know quite a few that have already pulled their kids out.

I'm north east too and don't know a single person backing closures or anyone who has taken their kids out.

The OP lost me at the "threads largely started by teachers" bit.

Yeah yeah....what a load of bollocks.

@Pomegranatepompom

Agree with pp, I also don’t know anyone in real life that wants schools to close. I’ve been really impressed with the organisation, communication and commitment from the school so far. My DC are so much happier. Some of the aggressive posters on here, some of whom claim to be teachers, have done a huge disservice to teaching profession. Created unnecessary ill feeling imo.

I agree. I know two teachers in RL who are glad to be back as they hated online teaching.

Dds school have been amazing. Very strict in safety guidelines, parents have been following them. We’ve just had a email saying it’s been a success. I think checking the temp of children on entering the school has been a massive help also bac hand washing before being slowed to queue up to go in. Very positive. We’re in a area that’s high in infection rates but luckily not one child isolating. ( as far as I’m aware - very active SM)

Reading some of the attitudes people have towards teachers has shocked me. I truthfully wouldn't blame them if they voted with their feet at the lack of consideration and respect they are shown by some.
If you want your child to receive a good education, then it's probably best to start with ensuring the person educating them feels safe, valued and appreciated. Slagging them off is just going to make it harder for genuine caring professionals to stay. The losers will be our children.

I'm in the North East too, everyone I speak to is pleased that the kids can still access their education at school. I don't know one who wants them to close, including the teachers.

The point many teachers will have been making is that even if schools follow the guidelines to the letter schools are still not safe places - the guidelines themselves do not lead to a Covid secure workplace.
I'm not sure what impact "happiness" with being back at work has on the susceptibility to Covid

I think many are yes!

The people who continue to ignore the law / rules

The people who think that they can do whatever they like.

The people who prioritise a kids birthday party over anything else.

All these people are willing schools to close.

How else can you explain why they make the decisions they make.

The point many teachers will have been making is that even if schools follow the guidelines to the letter schools are still not safe places

It's not clear that is right. What is the current estimate for the number of teachers who have caught covid from their pupils while at school?

There are quite a few posts where people are supporting use of ppe/screens/ extra funding.
Many people making personal sacrifices to decrease risks (sadly some not as well).
I honestly feel our school have been fabulous since return. Obviously I know we need to do more to make places secure, but surely fine to acknowledge when things have been done well too. I don’t think that’s dismissing risks.

It should be possible to raise concerns and even complaints about schools and teaching provision without being accused of being a teacher-bashing troll.

No doubt that teachers, collectively, are really pulling out the stops and going above and beyond to keep schools open and make them as happy and safe as possible for students.

I also accept that many teachers were working very hard during lockdown. Others weren't, because their schools weren't demanding it. And to be fair, the curriculum was suspended. But I can understand that when someone's child was receiving a couple of internet-sourced worksheets per week, they might have an issue accepting the "teachers all working their fingers to the bone through lockdown" narrative.

Some people from all walks of life and professions are doing the slightly martyrish thing at the moment. "We're terrified every day, but we're still going to work to help other people" etc. It comes across as a little disproportionate, because if one does have caring responsibilities for a vulnerable person, or a serious underlying condition, then any illness that one might pick up in the winter months can be dangerous.

What is the current estimate for the number of teachers who have caught covid from their pupils while at school?

How would anyone really know with the shitfest that is the current test and trace system?

That’s a real problem.

It should be possible to raise concerns and even complaints about schools and teaching provision without being accused of being a teacher-bashing troll

The OP has started a post saying they have a ‘vibe’ that teachers want schools to close, yet appears not to have any evidence for this. I think that definitely veers into teacher bashing territory.

It’s a catch 22 situation that’s never going to be solved.

Some teachers feel school is not a safe space and are scared of catching it.

Some parents feel that the loss of jobs, homes, lack of online education, childhood depression, very very minimal risk to children considering the very small percentage of Covid fatality doesn’t justify in closing school downs.

And as PP said up thread. Last week there was more deaths to flu and pneumonia last week than Covid.

My friend has autoimmune issues and she has chosen to home school because she is worried the kids will bring it back from school. It’s a bad time for everyone and there isn’t a solution that universally fits all.

No wonder the gov has no idea what it’s doing - I think it’s every man/woman for themselves at the moment

It should be possible to raise concerns and even complaints about schools and teaching provision without being accused of being a teacher-bashing troll

I completely agree.

It should be possible to raise concerns and even complaints about schools and teaching provision without being accused of being a teacher-bashing troll

When such posters post genuinely, that would be the time.

It’s fine to raise concerns but this doesn’t seem to be raising concerns. The OP has started a thread which appears to be teacher bashing as they are unable to back their claim with any evidence.

The majority of complaints on the many threads that have been started over the last few months are also aimed at the wrong people. The difference in work provided is very much down to the Government not individual schools/teachers. The Government suspended the curriculum, schools teach the curriculum. If the Government had said schools need to continue teaching the curriculum and schools had not provided anything then you would have a reason to complain. The Guidance for this term does state the curriculum needs to be taught if schools close, unfortunately no extra funding to help, but no surprise there really!

The Government obviously realised the error of their ways and introduced the Oak Academy last term to ensure pupils could have access to education, but they still didn’t bring back the full curriculum for schools.

@Appuskidu

It should be possible to raise concerns and even complaints about schools and teaching provision without being accused of being a teacher-bashing troll

The OP has started a post saying they have a ‘vibe’ that teachers want schools to close, yet appears not to have any evidence for this. I think that definitely veers into teacher bashing territory.

I agree with this poster.