Northern Ireland schools

[Smallsteps88]

Will they close for Christmas on Friday?

Spoke to someone last week who goes to schools all over NI as part of his work. He said that no schools have been making appointments for him to come next week as they say they won’t be open.

Today DC came home and said their classroom assistant told them that there will be no school dinners next week and that parents will receive a payment in their bank account. This has only happened previously when schools were closed.

Michelle O’Neill has said there may be further restrictions between now and Christmas.

How likely do you think it is they will be closed and are they going to leave it until the last minute to announce?

Unlikely I think. Apparently it’s a logistical nightmare to close next week.

However in my kids primary & secondary teachers are dropping like flies so I wouldn’t blame them even though it would be a nightmare for working parents.

Yes the numbers are shooting up here locally too

I have been waiting on the announcement but am getting less sure as time ticks on! At this late stage, hopefully it will just be secondaries working from home, so less childcare issues. I honestly thought they would close, to offset lockdown ending.

Why are they always so last minute here

Meant to add, my DC are convinced they are finishing early too as they are already watching films etc and their Christmas diner was moved to this week. They say it feels like the last week. I don't think the schools actually know any more than us, I think they have just assumed (as have I!)

Why are they always so last minute here

It really is angering! It feels very deliberate tbh regardless of their claims it isn’t.

DH is a teacher, and he says all schools received a letter today to say that they will not be closing this Friday.

Oh well that’s something!!

Oh thank you for the info! How does he feel about that? I really feel for the school staff.

@PrivateD00r

Oh thank you for the info! How does he feel about that? I really feel for the school staff.

We're moving house next week, so he wouldn't have minded a week off, but other than that he's happy enough. They haven't been hit too hard by Covid, though. One bubble had to isolate a couple of weeks ago, and one teacher isolated before that, plus a couple of cases that happened over the holidays, but that's been all.

Oh thank goodness! DS is P7 prepping for AQE, so I want him in as long as humanly possible

We're moving house next week, so he wouldn't have minded a week off, but other than that he's happy enough. They haven't been hit too hard by Covid, though. One bubble had to isolate a couple of weeks ago, and one teacher isolated before that, plus a couple of cases that happened over the holidays, but that's been all

Aw fair enough. Good luck with the move!

@FedUpWithBriiiiick

Oh thank goodness! DS is P7 prepping for AQE, so I want him in as long as humanly possible

It is awful for the P7's! Hopefully they will get a wee break next week and do some fun stuff though

I feel so sorry for all the P7 doing transfer. As if it’s not stressful enough for them in normal times.

We’ve had a txt message to say that the kids can finish on Friday as most of the staff/pupils are choosing to self isolate anyway. Anyone else?

Nothing here. I actually contacted Peter Weir yesterday to ask if schools were closing early and he said they weren’t. Sounds like schools are doing it unofficially?

I have assumed my 6th form dd would be told to finish this friday and just work online at home next week but as yet havent heard anything to verify this...im surprised high schools havent followed the other schools that announced yesterday they were going to take this path..think everyone is just waiting on last minute announcement from the muppets in the exe

We had a text quoting a line from Peter Weir's letter to schools yesterday, it said 'face to face teaching and learning will continue until the end of term'.

Some schools seem to be encouraging pupils to stay at home but they can't actually close the schools. I suppose they are thinking it makes social distancing easier so less chance of staff having to isolate over Christmas.

Did you see a school in Lisburn is closed after two cases because loads of staff had to isolate? That is a total nightmare! Poor staff.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55251629

Yes seen the school on Lisburn, it seems to be a very ott reaction to two cases but maybe they just can’t find the staff to cover? My dds secondary have been contacted several times to ask to isolate, she has been off school more that at school. At least they are able to home school.

My sons school are a small school so we’re not surprised that parents are choosing to keep the kids off from school the last week. Our childminder is closing completely as maybe of the parents have lost their jobs and no longer need it. We will have to seek an alternative or see how my job goes and decide after Christmas what the next step is.

Is there any truth that the schools are going to take an extended break after christmas...im thinking is this why there is reluctance to close before christmas as they are expecting to have to close if figures sky rocket over christmas...

@CantBeAssed who knows it’s entirely possible as the R rate will rocket after Christmas. Ive been laying childcare I don’t need for 12 weeks now it’s ridiculous that we can’t plan ahead for any of this.

Ive been laying childcare I don’t need for 12 weeks now

That’s awful!!