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Original poster

Schools MUST stay open.

515 replies

motherrunner · 31/10/2020 06:56

I hear this a lot on MN.

Schools maybe ‘open’ but they’re not really depending on where you live.

I’m in Tier 2, due to go into Tier 3 next week prior to the lockdown rules.

Since Sept Yr 10 have isolated twice (4 weeks out of a 8 week half term), Yr 12 and 13 three times (6 weeks of a 8 week half term). My own DS is isolating due to being in contact with a positive until next week and I am isolating until next week as one of my pupils tested positive (and before anyone asks why I wasn’t 2m away well let’s just say, that’s school life).

Before lockdown in March my school had to close just to the numbers of staff off, at one point admin staff were supervising classes.

This morning I read a comment from a poster on the ‘lockdown my thread that teachers just have to ‘hope’ they get a mild viral load. Have we become so disillusioned with this virus that because “schools must stay open” then we minimise they health of school staff?

I am happy to be back teaching my pupils, I’m not happy that I feel unsafe. I am not happy that other workplaces have ‘Covid secure’ measures but I have sanitiser and a ‘hope for the best’ attitude.

So, if you really want schools to stay open then please email your MP and voice concerns about safety and hopefully we can stay open in a meaningful way because there’s a difference between ‘schools open’ with us delivering a quality education and ‘schools open’ with a body providing childcare.

OP posts:
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GoldenOmber · 31/10/2020 15:22

the National Education Union is calling for schools and colleges to be included in any such lockdown - and for rotas to be introduced at the end of the lockdown period.

The government is not going to do that, and calling for that rather than calling for any of the many many many things government could be funding to make schools safer is I fear going to prove quite self-defeating.

DarkMintChocolate · 31/10/2020 15:25

And what evidence do you have that it was families with children that brought back?

Well, I remember posters on MN justifying going to Spain, saying it made their children happy; and interviews with families on the news in Spain in the summer. The fact is anybody who went on holiday abroad this summer was selfish - it was obvious they risked either taking it with them and infecting the people there; or bringing it back and infecting people here. The virus is indiscriminate. It’s not going to choose to infect just young men or any other group. It must have infected a lot of people, for 80% of people here now to have a Spanish strain?

The infection rate went up by 24% after children went back to school, so children clearly contribute to the spread of the virus. Iirc, the evidence for that is in The Lancet, as well as the broadsheets?

TheKeatingFive · 31/10/2020 15:31

The government is not going to do that, and calling for that rather than calling for any of the many many many things government could be funding to make schools safer is I fear going to prove quite self-defeating.

Absolutely this

Glitterynails · 31/10/2020 15:33

I’m a vulnerable teacher and also a parent. Schools should stay open but you should ALL be screaming out for them to be made safer!

Masks, funding for additional staff to make classes smaller and allow for SD (where possible of course but my school could cut to classes of 15-20 using space we have but we have no money for extra staff), legal restrictions on parents having to SD and wear masks at drop off, restrictions on children’s and parents out of school activities, legal requirement for parents to evidence covid test results of children or family members, extra funding for extra cleaning, a plan for ventilation when it gets cold and so on!

Nellodee · 31/10/2020 15:38

I do not intend to continue working as a teacher if the government cannot guarantee me a hospital bed if I get sick. I love my job, but I love my family more. All fatality rates so far are based on there being hospital care available. If this care isn't available, we are looking at a whole different ball game.

Sunflowers246 · 31/10/2020 15:38

As a teacher, I am exasperated by the unions. I don't want lockdown in schools. Online teaching young children is incredibly hard then only 30% of the class join in,

Nice to see that some teachers are happy to continue teaching.

Sunflowers246 · 31/10/2020 15:40

The teaching unions in Germany and France would of course also prefer schools to close, but thankfully their Governments have insisted that education remains open.

Char2015 · 31/10/2020 15:41

@GoldenOmber

the National Education Union is calling for schools and colleges to be included in any such lockdown - and for rotas to be introduced at the end of the lockdown period.

The government is not going to do that, and calling for that rather than calling for any of the many many many things government could be funding to make schools safer is I fear going to prove quite self-defeating.

What could government be funding to make schools safer?
Tomatoandbasil · 31/10/2020 15:42

@Glitterynails

I’m a vulnerable teacher and also a parent. Schools should stay open but you should ALL be screaming out for them to be made safer!

Masks, funding for additional staff to make classes smaller and allow for SD (where possible of course but my school could cut to classes of 15-20 using space we have but we have no money for extra staff), legal restrictions on parents having to SD and wear masks at drop off, restrictions on children’s and parents out of school activities, legal requirement for parents to evidence covid test results of children or family members, extra funding for extra cleaning, a plan for ventilation when it gets cold and so on!

@Char2015

And extra money for soap and hand sanitiser would be nice.

Lavenderseas · 31/10/2020 15:44

The government is not going to do that, and calling for that rather than calling for any of the many many many things government could be funding to make schools safer is I fear going to prove quite self-defeating.

This.

Closing schools is not the solution.

As pp said, other Governments also understand the importance of keeping schools open.

cantkeepawayforever · 31/10/2020 15:48

Nice to see that some teachers are happy to continue teaching.

I will continue teaching.

I would love to be made safer, but I will continue teaching. As someone who is CV and whose mental health has suffered over the years as a result of being a teacher, I will keep teaching unless and until I am so unwell that I can no longer get in through the doors.

cantkeepawayforever · 31/10/2020 15:49

unless and until I am so unwell that I can no longer get in through the door

I should point out that this might be next week. You don't necessarily want this to happen - I am experienced, and excellent at my job. However i am also close to breaking point.

MaosChaos · 31/10/2020 15:56

At our school the children with Covid caught it out of school. No one in their bubble (sent home isolating) has developed covid symptoms from infected child.
If school close Y11 and Y13 cannot do exams next June. They missed months last school year and are in and out this year. The learning time has dropped and also the usual revision classes are hit and miss. And the government should say this now so schools can deal with in and universities plan.

TheKeatingFive · 31/10/2020 15:59

Schools should stay open but you should ALL be screaming out for them to be made safer!

I am totally behind sensible measures being taken and money being made available to find them. But it is the job of the unions to lead this charge.

Why aren't they concentrating on making this sensible stuff happen, rather than making outrageous demands that parents can’t support and no government is going to take any notice of?

Rhine · 31/10/2020 16:04

@cateSY

How dare some posters say that parents are selfish for wanting schools/nurseries to stay open? Either me or my DH wouldn't be able to work if our DD couldn't go to nursery and then where would that leave us - unable to pay our mortgage and unable to feed ourselves
Who’s going to look after your children if their nursery staff and teachers are all either seriously unwell or dead? Who is going to provide for their children if they are become unable to work?

Never mind though. As long as you and your DH are alright 🙄

ForthPlace · 31/10/2020 16:21

Hate the way schools are pitted against the community they serve.

There must be some creative thinking, flexibility and funding to support everyone.

I'm shocked that parents are so unconcerned for the safety of their children. I'm less surprised that school staff are considered fair game...have you really stopped to think of the devastation caused by the death of a much loved staff member. Having just been through this...MH of children...so, so upset and feeling responsible.

Schools might be 'open'...but not really. Like everyone else school staff are ill, in isolation or suffering with the long term effects of COVID. Schools will close. Staff will not be available, lack of key safeguarding staff will close schools.

The government must work with employers, with schools and with families. Closed schools but employers carrying on regardless isn't going to work. It needs sorting. It isn't schools fault.

Glitterynails · 31/10/2020 16:23

@TheKeatingFive
Because this idiotic government won’t agree with ANYONE so if the unions make other demands then maybe just maybe the government will at least put some safety measures and funding into schools!

LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 31/10/2020 16:33

Given the attitude of some selfish people here maybe it's time for teachers to say, "Fuck you!" and just stay home.

The cheek of people expecting teachers to risk their health so they can pay their mortgages. Take a look in the mirror.

The lives of my former colleagues are worth far more than your job.

Rhine · 31/10/2020 16:39

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

Given the attitude of some selfish people here maybe it's time for teachers to say, "Fuck you!" and just stay home.

The cheek of people expecting teachers to risk their health so they can pay their mortgages. Take a look in the mirror.

The lives of my former colleagues are worth far more than your job.

It’s breath taking isn’t it? I don’t know any teacher who ‘wants’ schools to close, but they are right to question how safe it is at the moment. There should be something in place to protect teachers and school staff.
Glitterynails · 31/10/2020 16:40

I feel very unsafe in school (I’m pregnant) and just want more safety measures. The attitudes of some posters who see my health as just collateral damage is really sad.

Summerfreeze · 31/10/2020 16:42

I hope the teachers strike. It’s outrageous the way they’re being treated.

Timtims · 31/10/2020 16:45

There needs to be a decent plan B for when schools inevitably do need to move to remote learning, as they will do next week in Wales for y9-13.

This requires :

  1. Additional staff resource to facilitate a full timetable of virtual/live lessons.
  1. Funding for laptops, broadband/WiFi for all in need. (y9+)
  1. Decent technical infrastructure in schools to enable live/synchronous delivery.
  1. Asynchronous provision/resources for those who require it.
  1. Buy in from Unions to ensure consistent/equal provision can be provided.

Worksheets on Google Classrooms will just NOT cut it for those in y9+ (and not lower years either tbh).

If all this was in place, I would feel much better about schools temporarily closing. However as it is, my DC will spend next week doing a random assortment of basic worksheets, which will be of limited use for the Gcse curriculum she is currently studying. And if its anything like the last lockdown, engagement will be poor, and all the work will be repeated once they are back in the classroom.

Rhine · 31/10/2020 16:45

@Glitterynails

I feel very unsafe in school (I’m pregnant) and just want more safety measures. The attitudes of some posters who see my health as just collateral damage is really sad.
Indeed. It’s disturbing that some people see paying their mortgage as more important that the health and safety of human being, just blind sided selfishness.
monkeytennis97 · 31/10/2020 16:46

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

Given the attitude of some selfish people here maybe it's time for teachers to say, "Fuck you!" and just stay home.

The cheek of people expecting teachers to risk their health so they can pay their mortgages. Take a look in the mirror.

The lives of my former colleagues are worth far more than your job.

Thank youThanks
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