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Schools staying open during lockdown

232 replies

JulieGS · 03/11/2020 10:23

Is anyone else worried about sending our children to school during lockdown?

The NEU has launched a petition calling for schools to be closed - you can find it here:

actionnetwork.org/forms/close-schools-and-colleges-now

OP posts:
enigma16 · 03/11/2020 15:46

Schools should definitely stay open.

Weighing up everything children's right to education (and social interaction) which will have a huge impact on the rest of their lives should always come first.

One of the very few things this Govt has got right.

Alexandernevermind · 03/11/2020 15:50

Schools must stay open. School closures disproportionately affect women and low income families. How many children had zero education during the first lockdown because of no home PC / laptop / wifi?

LindaEllen · 03/11/2020 16:03

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

Let's not worry about the staff getting ill as long as the childcare is there, eh?

The health of the staff matters. I hear precious little understanding of this from parents, just demands that schools stay open and to hell with their health.

Nice.

That's not what anyone is saying, fuck me. Schools have been around our whole lives, and the whole of our parents' lives, and our grandparents' lives, and there has never been a disruption to education like this. So quite obviously we're not prepared for it. School isn't 'childcare', but it IS a fact of life that we all have to go through, meaning you can assume that, during term time, you're okay to get a job as your child will be at school. Or you might assume that your parents could take care of your child.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, could ever have predicted this happening. It's not that nobody gives a shit about people working in schools. Of course we do. But that's like saying you're a bitch for wanting hospitals to stay open, and you don't care about the safety of the staff. Schools, like hospitals, are an important institution, and it's simply too disruptive to close them down fully again - certainly for the younger children, anyway.

Staff need more protection, that goes without saying. Schools should not close, but they should be made safer.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/11/2020 16:05

What @LindaEllen said with bells on.

TeenPlusTwenties · 03/11/2020 16:10

I'm still trying to get my y11 back into school following the last lockdown. The impact to the mental health of some children of closing the schools last time has been life altering.

formerbabe · 03/11/2020 16:14

No I'm not worried. Children aren't really affected by the virus and I'm fed up with being told children should give up even more to protect generally very elderly people.

felineflutter · 03/11/2020 16:16

think the universities should revert to online learning only and they should get the students home so they’re not

Erm Hmm my DS has had online learning from the start. I am ashamed at how poorly these young people have been treated and everything should be done to protect the future of our children and young people.

Maldivesdream · 03/11/2020 16:18

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

Let's not worry about the staff getting ill as long as the childcare is there, eh?

The health of the staff matters. I hear precious little understanding of this from parents, just demands that schools stay open and to hell with their health.

Nice.

It’s not a case of that though. Many parents are at risk are you feeling sorry for them as you are for yourself?

Secondly maybe the parents have lost their job meanwhile you have a PAID JOB still.

Even if they close the schools how long should they shut for? Confused

formerbabe · 03/11/2020 16:22

The thing is university is a choice, school isn't. University students are technically adults despite the ridiculous molly coddling that happens nowadays. As such they should be better able to motivate themselves and study alone. If they can't, then they don't have to enter further education.

Ferrari458 · 03/11/2020 16:28

Why don't you go to the Covid board?

Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 16:50

God this is boring now! Schools should remain open. Home schooling is an option, just register to remove your child and teach them yourself!

LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 03/11/2020 17:38

Many parents are at risk are you feeling sorry for them as you are for yourself?

I'm retired. Not feeling sorry for myself at all. Feeling very sorry for teachers. I have no DCs in school, so I have no axe to grind at all.

Secondly maybe the parents have lost their job meanwhile you have a PAID JOB still.

Wrong again. Your assumptions are 100% wrong so far.

Even if they close the schools how long should they shut for?

If they can't make schools safer for staff then they should be closed until they can be made safer. Some classrooms don't have windows that open, yet ventilation is a requirement. Some rooms are too small for social distancing. Smaller classes. Pupils wearing masks.

Teachers have as much right as any other profession to have a covid safe environment yet they don't. That isn't right.

I'm very worried for the mental health of my teacher friends.

MayYouLiveInInterestingTimes · 03/11/2020 17:47

I’m annoyed that my kids’ socially distanced swimming lessons have been stopped while schools have not. I don’t see the point in a lockdown with schools open. I’m not quite sure how far to take this yet honestly.

savagebaggagemaster · 03/11/2020 17:51

@LastGoldenDaysOfSummer

If you want the schools to stay open lobby for better protection for those who work in them and for the children.
This
Remmy123 · 03/11/2020 18:05

Get your self over to the covid forum .. they all want schools to close and have done for weeks!!!!!!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 03/11/2020 18:12

There’s a huge difference between NHS staff and teachers though. Teachers are paid to educate and that’s what they signed up to do. Nurses and doctors know that healthcare jobs come with some horrible things to deal with such as this.

Wanting free childcare shouldn’t mean others have to provide it at their own risk. The persons finances or job role is not their responsibility.

Juststopswimming · 03/11/2020 18:25

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

There’s a huge difference between NHS staff and teachers though. Teachers are paid to educate and that’s what they signed up to do. Nurses and doctors know that healthcare jobs come with some horrible things to deal with such as this.

Wanting free childcare shouldn’t mean others have to provide it at their own risk. The persons finances or job role is not their responsibility.

And how about supermarket workers? Do you think they signed up for it? I'm assuming you still expect your bog roll and pasta to be available to you.

And I swear to god if i see the phrase 'free childcare' ONE MORE TIME when people refer to schools I will honestly implode.

Since when has it ever been about childcare, its about the next generation getting a proper education. Something that many of the teachers on this forum dont seem to GAF about.

Finally, if you dont think its teachers responsibility to provide education to enable parents to work; then presumably its not my responsibility to go to work to pay my taxes to provide teachers' income. It works both ways, see?

Maldivesdream · 03/11/2020 18:47

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

There’s a huge difference between NHS staff and teachers though. Teachers are paid to educate and that’s what they signed up to do. Nurses and doctors know that healthcare jobs come with some horrible things to deal with such as this.

Wanting free childcare shouldn’t mean others have to provide it at their own risk. The persons finances or job role is not their responsibility.

Give your job up then. Go and take another job in a sector where there’s a lower risk of you catching Covid although you may be at risk of losing your salary!
barbites · 03/11/2020 18:49

@Juststopswimming 👏 100% with you. I don't need childcare for my teenagers, I need them to be taught, properly, face to face and consistently!

Maldivesdream · 03/11/2020 18:51

@TiersTiersTiers I agree!! With bells on. How dare someone with no kids and that is retired (most likely comfortable) spout on about free childcare as though teachers don’t rely on schools in order to be able to do their job like the rest of us parents!!

Maldivesdream · 03/11/2020 18:52

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

There’s a huge difference between NHS staff and teachers though. Teachers are paid to educate and that’s what they signed up to do. Nurses and doctors know that healthcare jobs come with some horrible things to deal with such as this.

Wanting free childcare shouldn’t mean others have to provide it at their own risk. The persons finances or job role is not their responsibility.

No nobody knew about the pandemic or that there would be one. Nurses have quit because of poor working conditions and teachers can do that also give their job up.
LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 03/11/2020 19:01

[quote Maldivesdream]@TiersTiersTiers I agree!! With bells on. How dare someone with no kids and that is retired (most likely comfortable) spout on about free childcare as though teachers don’t rely on schools in order to be able to do their job like the rest of us parents!![/quote]
How dare I? Quite easily. I care about the health of teachers and children.

I have kids, all grown up now but I would not be happy with the safety in schools if they were there now. I'm staggered that parents aren't kicking up more of a fuss.

How dare you not care for the health of teachers and children?

Juststopswimming · 03/11/2020 19:07

Because the risk of no education for an entire generation is far far more dangerous, thats why. Its astonishing that a retired teacher can't see that.

Newsflash: schools have NEVER been "safe"
Second newsflash: covid isn't the be all and end all

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 03/11/2020 19:08

Maldivesdream, given I’m neither a teacher nor a healthcare worker not sure why giving up my job would make any difference Hmm

Heaven forbid people care about the staff, vulnerable family members or children. Not to mention the burden on healthcare spaces.

supersonicginandtonic · 03/11/2020 19:13

@Todayisgood2 not necessarily. My sons school didn't have enough to spaces for all keyworker parents at last lockdown. The head teacher had to choose. I'm an NHS worker and DP a probation officer and we didn't get a place. It was an absolute nightmare x

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