Schools after Christmas

[pontypridd]

How long are they likely to stay open after the 5 day free for all?

I don't think the government will shut them. Matt Hancock stressed earlier on that schools staying open was important. Vaccines should be started by then as well. Obviously though if staff catch it they might close on an individual basis.

Are vaccines really just 4 weeks away?

Most school staff are not over 50. We're not even mentioned on a list for any sort of priority either.

Schools won't close.

DH and I were just discussing this- schools here are due to open 7 days after the 5 days Xmas free for all ends. Let’s hope school starts can stay open if Covid starts to spread around them at the start of January

I suppose I’m thinking this Christmas madness will end in a much greater wave of Covid hitting us in January.

I can’t see schools managing to stay open then. They’re struggling massively now.

I don't think they'll close... but I do think they will struggle to staff them, so may have no choice but to close some bubbles. I think it's going to be a nightmare & really feel for teachers.

I don’t think they will be formally closed. Some schools might not be able to stay open due to staff isolation or sickness but they will be the exceptions.

Has the government not thought of this?

I cant see there being an official blanket closure of all schools however undoubtedly there will be a lot of individual class/year maybe whole school closures that no doubt them who feel the need to see every Tom Dick and Harry over Christmas, will be up in arms about

I don’t expect there to be an official closure either. But schools will be negatively affected by this Christmas craziness.

It will affect exams etc The government clearly just don’t give a shit.

Schools will undoubtedly close due to staffing levels, which will probably happen on a widespread scale, but...the government will say schools are open so they don’t have to address the ‘exam’ problem.

Blimey, can we get through this term before thinking about next, please!?

We were really hopeful after rumours started that our academy trust would close for an extra week in Jan to prevent this but the Manchester academy that tried to close early has been thwarted by the government so it looks very unlikely now.

On December 27th you can mingle with bunches of people and then Jan 4th you are back in school....... can't wait.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

Are vaccines really just 4 weeks away?

Most school staff are not over 50. We're not even mentioned on a list for any sort of priority either.

Schools won't close.

Even if they are at first they will only be given to people at the top of the priority list, they need two doses separated by a number of weeks and then it will be at least 2 weeks after that when immunity is developed.

We have a very high infection rate in this area and lots of schools are totally closed due to covid outbreaks. The concern is this repeating again in the new year

I'm hoping lots of people will be sensible and decide not to mix.

Judging by the current trend they'll be lucky to make it to Christmas.

@pontypridd

Has the government not thought of this?

Is that a serious question? Joined up thinking isn't their strong point.

Staffing at my school has got so bad were not allowed time off to self isolate anymore. Unless we personally have a positive test, its work as usual.

I really cant see them closing now, just praying exams are made fairer for year 11 and 13

From a selfish perspective I hope they don't close. My daughter needs the environment (primary) to learn properly and doesn't do well away from her friends.

But I do think they need to in order to protect teachers and support staff. It's simply not fair to put them in such obvious danger after parents are done with their big family gatherings. I don't like how government and parents are so uncaring about teachers and they need protecting, but I LOVE my daughters school and fantastic teachers so want to help them.

It's sad to see parents view schools as convenient and free childcare and not care about the staff.

Is that a serious question?

No it wasn’t campion. I’m just too tired and bored to make any more of it.

Gosh it’s all so tedious and sort of predictable.

I'm not sure. Case numbers do seem to be declining now, and hopefully they will continue to decline until lockdown is lifted. After that 🤷‍♀️.

I know people are worried about families mixing indoors. But for kids who have been mixing with dozens of others all day at school, that will be a substantial reduction in the number of people they see. It might coincide with numbers dropping again while the children are off school.

Staffing at my school has got so bad were not allowed time off to self isolate anymore. Unless we personally have a positive test, its work as usual.

That isn't legal, surely?? I thought our schol was bad discouraging staff from testing with 'only' one symptom.

Anecdotally our worst week for staffing was the one straight after half term when lots of staff (and sixth formers) had to SI because of their contacts. I can't imagine the days back after Christmas will be different.

I’ll be amazed if schools are still open by Christmas. The government won’t close them but we’ll struggle to staff them.

What 5 day free are u talking about. Predicted tier 3 over here