Now we know why the govt were suppressing the schools infection data

[noblegiraffe]

...because for secondary it’s very worrying.

They choose to release it the day before we break up for half term, too late for any circuit breaker like the other U.K. countries.

They’ve quietly removed the assertion that schools aren’t high risk settings from the guidance. At what point are they going to start to be honest about the risks, particularly in sixth forms and colleges?

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/928749/Weekly_COVID-19_and_Influenza_Surveillance_Graphs_W43_FINAL.pdf

But even that data isn't accurate. Only children with specific symptoms are being tested. It is well known now that younger children don't tend to display the typical symptoms whereas older children do. All those graphs show to me is that the older you are as a child, the more symptoms you are likely to display hence the higher chance of getting a test done. Unless you are testing every child in school on a regular basis, you are not getting the full picture in terms of prevalence and sources of transmission.
Same reason why Track and Trace isn't great if the majority who catch the virus are asymptomatic and will not qualify for a test. 🤷‍♀️

@Autumnleavestime

It's almost like some of you are blaming your pupils parents for the situation you are having to work in. Directing your frustration and unhappiness at the wrong people. With comments like parents just want a break from their children because they don't like spending time with them.

As though parents have any more say in what happens than teachers.

But who has said that Autumn?

@noblegiraffe

It's a shitty choice absolutely but I do absolutely prioritise the education of our children above all else.

Does it annoy you that the government aren’t? No investment in making schools safer and therefore more likely to stay open?

Absolutely it does!!

I think I mentioned that in a previous post about the lack of funding state schools have had to provide online learning facilities.

"Unless you are testing every child in school on a regular basis, you are not getting the full picture in terms of prevalence and sources of transmission."

Well, call me a cynic, but do you not think that is exactly why the Government have no intention of allowing widespread testing in schools?

With comments like parents just want a break from their children because they don't like spending time with them.

On this thread? Nope. It’s like you’re scrabbling around for things to talk about other than the data and the government inaction regarding it.

Yes! Exactly!!!

That was to callmeangelina

I never believed that schools could be made safe for teachers or DC. I always have believed this government treacherous liars, and cynically I think some parents don't like to spend too much time with their own DC. Its all a bit overwhelming, and having a break with the adults keeps them sane. Angry that the government have fucked up my sons GCSE year, irritated that some parents are either gullible or a bit too desperate for schools to stay open despite the obvious risks.

This is just one of many. Right little gem of a comment.

On this thread? Nope. It’s like you’re scrabbling around for things to talk about other than the data and the government inaction regarding it.*

I've just posted one. There are plenty more where that came from all over mumsnet.

@Ecosse: "A small minority of teachers on mumsnet seem to be mounting a campaign to get schools closed."

Evidence please, or we will have to assume that this is another example of your wilful lack of comprehension of the situation.

@CallmeAngelina

"Unless you are testing every child in school on a regular basis, you are not getting the full picture in terms of prevalence and sources of transmission."

Well, call me a cynic, but do you not think that is exactly why the Government have no intention of allowing widespread testing in schools?

Yes and I'm sure I remember reading in the early guidance references to mobile testing units that may be sent onsite to schools as a rapid response to an outbreak. hmmm.

@Autumnleavestime it's probably as true as the myriad of comments on other threads stating 'my DCs school did nothing in lockdown/my BiL is a teacher and did nothing in lockdown' etc etc

How about using the telly to broadcast some stuff that children could all watch at the same time across the country? (With follow up by teaching by their own schools.) Like the BBC used to do decades (and decades) ago? Or a bit like the OU method of teaching.

"I've just posted one."

And was that posted by a teacher?

Thanks for highlighting this, @noblegiraffe although we all know the government will almost certainly do nothing about it.

I've had the week from hell at school and on top of that a colleague testing positive. I'm totally fed up of all this shit - Brexit, the virus, not being able to hug my parents, constant worry, everything being strange with masks and track and trace... And I'm one of the lucky ones who still has a job.

Fucking, fucking government.

I've no idea, but there was another gem of a comment by a teacher on another thread, about the children all being looked after by social services because parents don't have the time.

@Autumnleavestime

* On this thread? Nope. It’s like you’re scrabbling around for things to talk about other than the data and the government inaction regarding it.*

I've just posted one. There are plenty more where that came from all over mumsnet.

That was a parent posting. Not a teacher.

I never believed that schools could be made safe for teachers or DC. I always have believed this government treacherous liars, and cynically I think some parents don't like to spend too much time with their own DC. Its all a bit overwhelming, and having a break with the adults keeps them sane. Angry that the government have fucked up my sons GCSE year, irritated that some parents are either gullible or a bit too desperate for schools to stay open despite the obvious risks

This is just one of many. Right little gem of a comment

No it isn't one of many. It's one, so "comments like" does not apply.

There is no point in denying data or trying to downplay it. That has led us to a place where teachers can’t teach properly, some kids are isolating and falling behind, some schools are closed while others are open. It’s not a level playing field. Closing schools is not something anyone wants but it has to be discussed and contingency plans (good ones -well thought out ones with infrastructure) put in place because news-flash many are already closed or year groups are isolating with worksheets to do. A centralised online learning centre would be good but requires the curriculum to be taught in a specific order and what has been taught to children to be tracked to identify gaps. Schools/year groups are going to close, they already are, we are failing students by refusing to plan for it.

Our sixth form college is doing a week in week out but they are in the same lesson as those on site so half class in classroom and half class at home but interacting. It’s not ideal socially as kids would rather be in college but for now it’s a good compromise. At that age a parent doesn’t need to be at home to watch over. It’s def not ideal but better than earlier in lockdown

There is no point in denying data or trying to downplay it.

Some people are trying their hardest to attract discussion away from it though.

I wonder why.

I thought I read on here last term that the Government had funded Oak Academy to run for another year???
Did I imagine that?

I've no idea, but there was another gem of a comment by a teacher on another thread, about the children all being looked after by social services because parents don't have the time

It's bad form to refer to other threads in this way. Get on them and make your case there, stop dragging it here.

Yep, Oak had millions poured into it to get the full year’s curriculum up by September.

But when schools use it, that’s lazy, of course.

And whilst you're at it, remember that there are half a million teachers in the UK, and you have posted a comment made by ONE of them. Hardly representative.