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Original poster

How many cases before a school shuts?

99 replies

Newstart20 · 07/10/2020 20:01

Just as the title says really, how many cases within a school before the whole school needs to shut? Or does it really only have to be the bubbles?

OP posts:
MrsHerculePoirot · 07/10/2020 21:12

We’re not allowed masks because our LEA essentially had said so. I think if we requested to wear a visor I suspect they would let us but it’s been made clear they don’t do anything.

The LEAs around us have implemented masks in communal areas and they only take them off once sat down in classroom. Our one doesn’t want to apparently - I’d like the unions and heads to pressure them or just all agree to do it but I’ve got no influence.

There is a lot of talk about tier 2, but they haven’t yet implemented tier one which I think is masks for everybody. I don’t know why not...

The problem is LEAs and heads/schools being made to decide. Same with everything, marking policies/cleaning:sharing equipment etc... they aren’t scientists, why are they not being told explicitly what to do. Every day they have to decide who gets sent home or not... so every school is now different. Can’t see how that works myself.

bigchris · 07/10/2020 21:18

I had no idea , that sounds awful and I feel bad , what if a teacher is vulnerable ie previously shielding , do they have to go in ?

GingerandTilly · 07/10/2020 21:18

My school had the whole of Key stage 2 off with multiple cases and we still stayed open to younger age groups.

GingerandTilly · 07/10/2020 21:20

I’m clinically vulnerable and still had to go in despite 5 colleagues in other bubbles testing positive. Gov guidance says no masks in primaries but my school has now adopted them regardless for staff as infection rates so high.

Readandwalk · 07/10/2020 21:21

Until theres not enough staff.

monkeytennis97 · 07/10/2020 21:22

@bigchris

I had no idea , that sounds awful and I feel bad , what if a teacher is vulnerable ie previously shielding , do they have to go in ?
Yes. Continuing as normal-teaching, doing cover when other teachers are off... business as normal (shielding colleague).
roxyfoxy89 · 07/10/2020 21:23

Who knows, Public Health England seem to be making the advice up as they go along. We've had 3 cases across 3 bubbles but none of the bubbles have been closed. We've been told the children with positive results were at home during the infectious period, which we know cannot be proven for certain. Seems they're saying anything to keep schools open, no matter the costs.

FippertyGibbett · 07/10/2020 21:24

In my DD school they are not sending the whole bubble home, they are only sending home the ones who have had close contact.

monkeytennis97 · 07/10/2020 21:25

I was clinically vulnerable but lost weight (a lot) because I knew that schools would be germ factories once they reopened and I would be at risk.

MrsHerculePoirot · 07/10/2020 21:25

Yes everyone in. If you had been shielding you are entitled to a risk assessment - mostly it says try to stay 2m apart and open windows ‘where possible’.... some schools are keeling pregnant teachers away from students some aren’t. Again individual school choices.

Legoandloldolls · 07/10/2020 21:29

I have no idea and I suspect it varries school to school. My son at a small secondary of about 500 says there are cases in his school, and he doesnt think even the whole bubble isolates ( not sure he is a reliable source 😂) but in my other sons juniors they closed the entire school.

Variety is the spice if life I guess Confused

DailyLotion · 07/10/2020 21:32

We're a LA school. Staff are allowed to wear masks and/or visors if they choose, though I agree visors are pointless without a mask, they seem to help the most anxious.

phlebasconsidered · 07/10/2020 21:34

I have a kid in my class isolating. Only found out on the register. Apparently it's all fine because i'll have been keeping my distance (impossible) and the desks are forward facing. Because year 6 really are great at not coming up to me or each other..... I also still have to individually read with them, do close intervention work and mark everything, but hey, the windows are open.

My kids secondary now has 4 cases and it's the same - no burst bubbles. It's all a massive frightening farce for teachers. I'm clinically vulnerable due to two health conditions and I can either work with the H&S assessment (keep a window open, basically) or go off unpaid. Not really an option when my wage supports me, mum and 2 kids.

DailyLotion · 07/10/2020 21:36

Come on @phlebasconsidered you surely can't think it would be reasonable to stay at home indefinitely on full pay?

Newnamenewopenme · 07/10/2020 21:38

Apparently they are deciding based on where it has spread. For example if a year 9 tests positive and the kids that sit near them/are friends in school also test positive they establish it has spread in school so that bubble leaves.
If a year 9 tests positive and the kids they encounter regularly remain negative they don’t close. Even if 2 random others are positive in the year, because they it’s decided it comes from the community so the risk of spreading isn’t in school.

phlebasconsidered · 07/10/2020 21:39

Nope. I'd quite like a mask or a proper cleaning regime though. You know, like most other workers. I'm pretty certain most people would prefer me still in and teaching and not possibly off for weeks or months and being able to wear a mask, teach from the front and not have to clean the class loo everyday might help in that.

monkeytennis97 · 07/10/2020 21:39

@DailyLotion I think the farce that @phlebasconsidered is referring to is the lack of safety in schools not the going off unpaid.

Actually if this was an option for DH and I (both secondary) we would probably take it for 6 months or so... no one has told us that's an option...

Newnamenewopenme · 07/10/2020 21:41

@DailyLotion please can you highlight where @phlebasconsidered suggested indefinite leave on full pay?

flumposie · 07/10/2020 21:41

@MrsHerculePoirot your school sounds just like mine in every way described. Six cases in 5 weeks, only pupils sat immediately nearby sent home. Headteachers keeps getting told we are ok to be open. Few pupils wearing masks on corridors etc

DailyLotion · 07/10/2020 21:42

I work in school too. Obviously I don't know what other schools are like but I genuinely think we have done what can be done to keep people safe. Other than let staff stay at home, I don't know what else schools could have done.

DailyLotion · 07/10/2020 21:43

[quote Newnamenewopenme]**@DailyLotion* please can you highlight where @phlebasconsidered* suggested indefinite leave on full pay?[/quote]
She said her choice was to work or take unpaid leave, which is impossible for her. What else was she suggesting she wanted?

monkeytennis97 · 07/10/2020 21:44

@DailyLotion errr nothing. She literally suggested nothing.

Newnamenewopenme · 07/10/2020 21:48

@DailyLotion I don’t know the answer but she’s clinically vulnerable so it should be looked into! I don’t have opening windows and we aren’t allowed the fans on, how many more are in this position and being told to suck it up or I paid leave without even the option of it being looked into and adapted?

monkeytennis97 · 07/10/2020 21:55

@DailyLotion

Well in secondaries...

Get kids to wear masks in communal areas.

Reinforce SD as much as possible with reminders in assemblies/in tutor time.

Ensure that windows open to 10 cm legal limit and not less than half.

Ensure that windows don't close on their own once opened.

Ensure that all staff keep windows and doors open.

Allow kids to wear coats in class if cold.

Ask parents to support pupils wearing masks in lessons.

hiredandsqueak · 07/10/2020 22:02

Dd's school closed after two cases in office staff. Small school