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?

I doubt people WANT schools to close. I think some people are afraid for their children (because, let’s face it, kids DON’T social distance well at school even where there is capacity to do so).

I think a huge number of teachers have children - lots of us are inclined towards it because it is a family friendly profession in terms of holidays, and people that like spending time with children are likely to have their own! Remote teaching with my 3yo at home was DISASTEROUS. I don’t want to return to that! My pupils are doing much better with the routine as close to normal as possible. I’m still not doing my job as well as I’d like because my daughter doesn’t have wrap-around care so I’m having to juggle odd hours, but fortunately my school has been really understanding and flexible.

@herecomesthsun

Yep, also so privileged, because of various underlying health conditions, that I would dearly love schools to be made a lot safer, and to be allowed to teach my children at home, especially if numbers rise.

I definitely agree with you when it comes to making the schools safer and being allowed to teach the kids at home, but that's different than wanting the schools to close.

but that's different than wanting the schools to close.

Who wants the schools to close?

Other than the occassional post I haven't really sensed that from Mumsnet and definitely not in real life. Everyone I know is hoping the schools can keep going and valuing every day they are open like never before.

@Bupkis

but that's different than wanting the schools to close.

Who wants the schools to close?

not me

Can you link to any of these threads you’re referring to where teachers want schools to be closed?

I have seen threads where parents or teachers are unhappy with the measures put in place for school reopening, but I don’t think I’ve seen anywhere on here that teachers are suggesting schools should be closed?

Nor me @herecomesthsun
...and is say on all the school threads I've been on, worrying about ds going back to school, and self isolating etc etc...I don't think I saw any posters saying they wanted the schools to close.
I saw lots of posters - teachers and parents, concerned about how they would open, and how to keep themselves, their staff and their children safe...but that's not the same thing as wanting them closed.

I agree there is a definite vibe on MN that schools should be closed.
I feel that children and young people have paid a high price already this year and agree that education should come before most other things. If extra restrictions are needed elsewhere in society in order for schools to stay open, even if parts are closed at times, then so be it.

I have no school age DC though I do have an adult DC who is a 6th form teacher. He certainly feels very exposed and vulnerable teaching at the moment.

You do get that sense from some posts yes

You’ve read between lines and come up with nonsense. Link to a post where a teacher wants schools closed, please. Not one where you’ve assumed that they want schools to close.

Advocating for safe opening of schools so they can be open long term is very different to wanting schools closed.

I haven’t seen anyone on here willing them to close at all. Only open more safely. There’s a massive difference.

Yes there are lots of MNers desperate for schools to close again. It was the same in March - but the weather turned nice and they just thought they'd have a nice holiday with the kids. Ha ha look how that turned out. Six months of "home schooling".

I wonder how their mental health would fair after knowing they had infected a family member and they died Don't be so overdramatic.

All I’ve seen is teachers posting concerns about safety measures in schools being responded to by posters saying OMG YOU WANT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE when they haven’t said anything of the sort.

God knows enough posters have claimed it of me and it’s total bullshit.

You could also say those who have no health conditions and want schools fully open whatever the cost rather than safely open are acting privileged tbh.

I don’t think that because I understand everyone’s situation is different. I get that. Just pointing out how it could be viewed the other way round.

@noblegiraffe

All I’ve seen is teachers posting concerns about safety measures in schools being responded to by posters saying OMG YOU WANT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE when they haven’t said anything of the sort.

God knows enough posters have claimed it of me and it’s total bullshit.

Some people can only cope with things in a binary and outraged way. It frustrates and fascinates me in equal measure.

I agree there is a definite vibe on MN that schools should be closed

Yes there are lots of MNers desperate for schools to close again

Where??!!

I dont think it's that they want schools to close, they just want proved right about saying schools going back would be a disaster.

I haven’t seen any posters willing schools to close. I’ve seen posters including parents and teachers wanting to make schools as safe as possible, which surely is understandable.

My kids are back at school and college. The school has been ok so far, obviously lots of kids and teachers off with symptoms and struggling to get tests but no confirmed cases yet. The college have had confirmed cases so lots of kids and teachers off. My son has had to do some lessons online.
The cleaning/mask wearing is a bit of a joke. Lots of kids not following the guidelines properly. Both kids have been ill and missed time already with coughs, I wouldn’t say they’re thriving at school. The teachers have all been great and communication from school and college has been outstanding.

I won’t be happy if they close but I’m not sure it’s right that they’re open, especially in our area. Safety is priority for me. I’m just going to see what happens and take the kids out if I feel it’s for the best.

It’s a really crap situation.

All I’ve seen is teachers posting concerns about safety measures in schools being responded to by posters saying OMG YOU WANT SCHOOLS TO CLOSE when they haven’t said anything of the sort.

Yes, I’ve seen lots of that.

I’ve found it very strange that some people do not share the teachers concerns about safety. As a parent, of course I want my children in school, but I want them as safe as can possibly be. Those posters who thought schools should be back ‘as normal’...well I wasn’t really sure what to make of them. Surely a parents first instinct is to keep their child safe, it made no sense that they were against some safety measures being put in place.

@FourTeaFallOut

If sheer force of will could keep the schools open then you can relax, I've got this.

I'm with you

I don't have to worry about the secondary school closing here, my DC has been off more times than they've been in this month.

Apparently being Medically Exempt doesn't give you the right not to wear a face covering.

Second week of September they finally agreed for them to wear a visor, that broke in school yesterday so they forced them to wear a mask which resulted in them having an asthma attack.

I kept them home from school today they then phoned me and said they can have a staff members visor if they wants to go back to school.

So much for not sharing your things during a pandemic.

@helpfulperson

I dont think it's that they want schools to close, they just want proved right about saying schools going back would be a disaster.

Lovely. Well done

In the NW we have countless school closures, full and partial. And yes, it annoys me I can’t have antenatal classes because of lack of social distancing for my safety and yet no thought is given to that safety when in school.

I think most of us want them to stay open. But unless people follow the rules - they won't. I just don't understand why some people are so selfish as to want all their freedoms when we're in this dire situation? Do they really WANT schools to close and everyone to be in Lockdown?

I keep hearing about schools closing and it seems to be secondary schools. With most young kids being asymptomatic, and the new who guidance basically saying asymptomatic people don't spread the virus. Maybe parents need to parent their teenagers better?

There’s Hysteria of the Day.

Back at the beginning posters were screaming about people going out for a walk being akin to murderers. Or buying some clothing from a supermarket being selfish and imperilling others.

All through the summer there was a merry band of posters (just look back at the number of threads) warning of thousands of teacher deaths if schools reopened. One regular thread starter (can’t remember his name) started a new doom-laden thread every single day banging away trying to scare people.

Now it’s universities and those pesky students under attack.

Meanwhile, in the real world, pupils - and the teachers I know - are pleased to be back and keeping fingers crossed.