Govt attempting to force schools to remain open with court order, against advice of PHE

[Bluegreen70]

Just that.

I've never hated any politicians so much

Yep

www.tes.com/news/dfe-orders-council-back-down-and-keep-schools-open?amp&__twitter_impression=true

I am just . This government are disgraceful. It looks like they are actively encouraging more deaths.

Why are they so bothered by a couple of days? I could understand if we were in November and they were closing but it just doesnt seem worth the effort to me. Unless I'm missing something?

It was clear that Greenwich's action was going to lead to some sort of showdown between Health and Education, with also the role of the mayor who needs to preserve his 'all London' approach, and appeared to backing Health over Education as the department with clout when it comes to pandemic prudence

Greenwich council have forced the hand of DofE, because they can't just overrule PHE and come up smelling of roses. They may need to show their reasoning in court if the council does not roll over

The press have been fairly supine about risks in schools so far (doesn't fit the agenda of those who backed the Great Barrington stuff, such as The Guardian, or any 'education whatever the cost' 'our kids need to be in school' angles). The Mail has already moved its coverage to 'Labour councils and their union backers'

I'd absolutely love to see the government take the boroughs that have closed to court to ensure schools remain open in boroughs where there are ridiculously higher levels of infection.

It would really show how little the safety of school children - particularly those in secondaries matters.

There is absolutely strength in numbers and it's high time local councils get together to take on the DFE. At every turn they have tried to manipulate data to minimise concerns and bury the news of the virus spreading in older school children and its high time the wider population were as outraged as some of us in here have been.

Parents and carers have been vilified for wanting to keep their children off school when rates are rising exponentially in their local area and therefore in schools.

It's an absolute disgrace.

I really really hope Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest in London dig their heels in and see this through.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/royal-london-borough-of-greenwich-temporary-continuity-direction

www.facebook.com/705818122864978/posts/3558561880923907/

I hope the 3 councils fight dfe and go to court.

Wow this is truly strange and scary. And leads you to have no faith in the govt decisions. They're actively putting people at risk.

@RememberSelfCompassion

Wow this is truly strange and scary. And leads you to have no faith in the govt decisions. They're actively putting people at risk.

Yes quite. More people will die.

Also Gavin Williamson needs to stop hiding and face the public via press conference.

Scary times.

I really really hope Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest in London dig their heels in and see this through.

So do I.

I would imagine the parents trust their heads and local councillors far more than the cabinet.

Why isnt the minister for education arguing on behalf of those in education? Or protecting those in education? Isnt that literally his job.

I feel so, so sorry for the heads of those schools.

What the government are doing is totally immoral.

I don't think we know that PHE advised them to close schools, they just gave them the data showing doubling infection rates every 3 days and the highest rates amongst secondary age (if I recall the council leader's letter correctly?)

Why for the sake of four days?! I just don't understand anymore. This will lead to deaths!

The worm is turning and the public tide of opinion is strongly swinging against the Government. Mostly from business owners actually, rather than parents. A lot of people are waking up to the school spread and the gaslighting. Hence close schools now trending on Twitter.

I actually think they would lose legal action and it is interesting to see many people now rounding on the DfE.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-schools-expected-to-stay-open-until-end-of-term-despite-virus-concerns-government-says-12161367

The corona act has given government powers to screw with schools for 2 years no matter how bad the virus gets

Scumbags.

The Gov have lost control, this is a panic move - which they sort of have to make to save face.

They truly do not give a shit over the safety of staff and pupils. As a teacher I loathe them.

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

The Gov have lost control, this is a panic move - which they sort of have to make to save face.

This and they can’t admit that despite it all, they would have to back down on exams. This is a government that has now realised, it is in the shit. It has lost the popular vote and more importantly, it has lost the consent of the people.

They won’t like the people on Twitter tonight, particularly the stereotypical Tory voters who have had enough of their livelihoods being ruined.

It’s like the end of a dictatorship losing control. It is fascinating, if it wasn’t so horrific.

Well this situation has taken a seriously weird turn! Parents and schools are now stuck between a standoff with dfe and LAs. You just couldn't make this shit up.

Finally some sense from our useless government. Children need to be in school.

It's fine for their families as all of the private schools have already broken up, so their Xmas is safe - who cares if a few kids in state schools pass COVID on to their grandparents or their families have to self isolate over the holidays?

@Crownofthorns

Finally some sense from our useless government. Children need to be in school.

Yes, three days of end of term nonsense will really change the course of their lives