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Original poster

Is a change beginning to happen regarding schools?

999 replies

Covidfears · 18/11/2020 00:43

I’ve been noticing more articles lately in the mainstream press about the difficulties in schools (which will come as no surprise to most people). There’s also been some research which has basically confirmed that schools are driving infections. So, along with it looking like this lockdown has been a waste of time (due to schools being kept open to continue the spread) and people in power calling for Hull schools to be closed do we think that schools will be closing early for Christmas?

Is there any chance that blended learning or rotas will be coming in after the Christmas holidays?

We are a vulnerable family with children in primary school and the risk that sending them every day with no safety measures poses to our family is causing me huge amounts of stress.

OP posts:
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11
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/11/2020 20:36

@Ratbum

How many of you had an email, letter or questionaire last week from your primary school, concerning your home tech and internet situation?

We did in SE. So did pals in adjacent ed authority and another in the Midlands. Feels like contingency planning to me.

Had that weeks ago, at the same time they introduced a new parent app and organised the online parents evening
HHmom · 19/11/2020 20:39

I’m confused. I’m a homeschooler, I don’t expect anyone to sort out my childcare? I don’t think schools should have opened back up, I think the government should have put some of that money they seem to suddenly have into investing in online teaching so that teachers and parents aren’t at risk by having to work and put measures in place to protect jobs. But front line workers are still needed so keeping schools open for key workers may be necessary.

canigooutyet · 19/11/2020 20:44

If schools go back to open as childcare again it would make sense for this to be overseen by youth workers etc who have experience working with children, thus allowing teachers who can teach.
But of course, government are too broke to do anything.

firsttimeoptimist · 19/11/2020 20:44

Our primary school is currently closed due to covid cases. They have obviously really prepared for this eventuality as within hours my children and all their peers were on-line in their virtual classroom. For lockdown to work in time for Christmas I think it should be more complete and a planned closure is much easier to prep for than a last minute scramble for childcare! Whilst so many are on furlough, I think the school could run a skeleton staff and only have to deal with children who have to be there!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/11/2020 20:45

@HHmom do you work? How do you manage childcare if so as a homeschooler?

cologne4711 · 19/11/2020 20:47

I checked my son's old school website. There is a letter to parents on there which says "Despite a few cases of Covid...the school is generally functioning well and the students have adapted fantastically"

We were in tier one before lockdown - I know cases have increased over the last few weeks but it doesn't sound like the school is on its knees.

It would seem disproportionate to close all schools when many are coping just fine.

Lovemusic33 · 19/11/2020 20:51

@firsttimeoptimist

Our primary school is currently closed due to covid cases. They have obviously really prepared for this eventuality as within hours my children and all their peers were on-line in their virtual classroom. For lockdown to work in time for Christmas I think it should be more complete and a planned closure is much easier to prep for than a last minute scramble for childcare! Whilst so many are on furlough, I think the school could run a skeleton staff and only have to deal with children who have to be there!
That’s great, I hope all schools are this prepared. My DD’s school is closed as of today but only for a few days or until they work out what to do next. If they decide not to open next week I would hope they are as well prepared.
sherrystrull · 19/11/2020 21:00

@cologne4711

I checked my son's old school website. There is a letter to parents on there which says "Despite a few cases of Covid...the school is generally functioning well and the students have adapted fantastically"

We were in tier one before lockdown - I know cases have increased over the last few weeks but it doesn't sound like the school is on its knees.

It would seem disproportionate to close all schools when many are coping just fine.

Schools are very much putting a brave face on it for the children.
Benjispruce2 · 19/11/2020 21:11

School of 90. No cases yet among staff or children.

Hmm1234 · 19/11/2020 21:13

The school might be able to offer virtual lessons if you explain your situation

monkeytennis97 · 19/11/2020 21:14

@Benjispruce2

School of 90. No cases yet among staff or children.
Wow that's a didn't school! 3 times that number in some secondary year groups.
monkeytennis97 · 19/11/2020 21:14

*diddy

catsarecute · 19/11/2020 21:20

I think they might put secondary schools on remote learning for the last week of term, and give parents of primary pupils the option to take them out for the last week. I don't think they are likely to close primaries because of the impact on working parents, but they could certainly remove the threat of fines if families are in a position to keep their kids at home.

There's a petition here for anyone interested, it's calling for schools to be closed early before christmas

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/549015

bexer56 · 19/11/2020 21:26

@NotExactlyMrsCurrentAffairs

I wonder if it's a matter of time here. I work in a primary, currently self isolating after a positive case, 6 classes in total now isolating. DS's high school, around 700 pupils, 379 of those self isolating. I spoke to his head of year yesterday. She's despairing. Things are desperate.
@NotExactlyMrsCurrentAffairs where are you located? We have only had one year group shut down at my daughter’s junior school and a few at my sons secondary... we are Kingston area ...
canigooutyet · 19/11/2020 21:30

Not even like they will be able to enjoy the last few weeks anyway. Although must be a relief to not have to organise school assembles and the rest for parents Grin None of the panto stuff. No trips to see Santa.

Smaller state schools, especially SN ones that transport arrange an inhouse visit and presents won't be able to go ahead.

School discos and the rest they do on a normal year.

If schools were really secure some of that could continue in their bubbles. Things could be a bit normal and at least it would give them something to look forward to.

Itisasecret · 19/11/2020 21:31

@cologne4711

I checked my son's old school website. There is a letter to parents on there which says "Despite a few cases of Covid...the school is generally functioning well and the students have adapted fantastically"

We were in tier one before lockdown - I know cases have increased over the last few weeks but it doesn't sound like the school is on its knees.

It would seem disproportionate to close all schools when many are coping just fine.

Year Three literacy. Read between the lines.
canigooutyet · 19/11/2020 21:34

Normal school year
If the heating systems aren't working for a few days the decision is taken to close it if the room temperatures fall until it can be fixed. Rarely happens though.

Now, stop your moaning and put on some extra layers. Forgetting those vulnerable they claim to want to protect won't necessarily have the funds,

sherrystrull · 19/11/2020 21:35

@canigooutyet

Not even like they will be able to enjoy the last few weeks anyway. Although must be a relief to not have to organise school assembles and the rest for parents Grin None of the panto stuff. No trips to see Santa.

Smaller state schools, especially SN ones that transport arrange an inhouse visit and presents won't be able to go ahead.

School discos and the rest they do on a normal year.

If schools were really secure some of that could continue in their bubbles. Things could be a bit normal and at least it would give them something to look forward to.

My school are planning socially distanced Santa visits, a bubble Christmas play, a bubble Christmas party and a bubble party. We're trying to make this Christmas less shit for the children and it keeps us staff going as well
TheSunIsStillShining · 19/11/2020 21:41

A bit of context that makes this hill to die on even more of a caricature.
There are around 34m people in employment.

Pls. estimate (don't google or ons!) the number of women with primary aged dc!

monkeytennis97 · 19/11/2020 21:47

5 million?

Baaaahhhhh · 19/11/2020 21:53

I'd guess about 8m

MiniTheMinx · 19/11/2020 21:53

oh I don't know 1 million

amicissimma · 19/11/2020 21:54

As far as I can tell from chatting to local parents and a few teachers, the schools round here have had the odd case of Covid here and there since September, but have not closed classes and have not seen it spread through classes or schools.

Delatron · 19/11/2020 21:55

Same here. Odd case brought in to school by a positive parent first. Nobody else in the bubble has caught it.

Piggywaspushed · 19/11/2020 21:59

We have only had one year group shut down at my daughter’s junior school and a few at my sons secondary

When did we move thinking so that only was a word to use in that sentence!?

Is it at the same time we started thinking 'only 20000 cases today'?