No longer a national priority to keep schools open

[noelgiraffe]

The government has surreptitiously dropped its priority to keep schools open.

It has replaced it with a priority to “keep education open”.

Remote learning is now a viable alternative to keeping schools open (as opposed to last Monday when it was a matter for the high court).

In the DfE media blog, tweeted earlier today regarding the delayed start to term in January they say:

“ Is this an extension of the Christmas holiday?

No, this isn’t an extension of the holiday and we haven’t asked that the start of term is delayed.

All students will return to education from the first day of term. Secondary school and college students should learn remotely for one week except those in exam years, vulnerable young people and the children of critical workers. It remains our national priority to keep education open and we are not closing education for any period other than during the set holiday periods.”

Interesting development.

@SantaAssociationRepresentitve

We finished last Friday and a member of staff tested positive by Tuesday even with all our precautions such as masks, windows open, one way systems, vats of hand gel, daily temperature checks and the school being fogged twice a week.

We are tier 4.

How do you know that they got it at school?

@noelgiraffe

It wouldn’t be too hard to test everyone in a school once, as a big one off event where everyone works together, with help from Public Health.

1,751,078 people were tested at least once between 3rd and 9th December by Serco who have been given billions to do this.

The DfE want schools to test 3.4 million children twice in a week, with one working day's notice and will be providing testing kits and a powerpoint to do this.

I was responded to someone who argued that it must be possible because their school had done it ONCE. I’m in full agreement that the testing plan is bonkers. In fact, I think they know it is.

@ConnellWaldron - tier 4 so it may well be everywhere.

I am concerned about how our families will be following the rules over the break (staff too). That is the big issue for January. Testing (if all the kits turn up) may help identify cases if done correctly

@ConnellWaldron
Obviously it wasn't in school where 100s mix'n'match all day. The virus knows to stop at the school gate. It must have been from that 10min masked up, SD shopping!!!

When you put it like that [the latest cunning plan from the D of E] sounds bonkers

Yes.

That's because it is.

I was very impressed by the immediate response by teaching leaders pointing this out really clearly.

[quote Clavinova]Two positive endorsements here;

Hamid Patel, CEO of Star Academies, a trust with schools participating in the autumn testing trials, said:

Testing was arranged to be as unintrusive as possible, and the benefits have been tremendous.

Attendance has improved as fewer close contacts have been required to self-isolate. Parents who may have been wavering have gained confidence to send their children to school, and staff have been reassured by the availability of testing.

Testing has allowed us to refocus on teaching and learning. I am heartened that the scheme is to be rolled out nationally: it is a game-changer for the sector.

Gerard Garvey, Principal of Newcastle Sixth Form College, a college participating in the autumn testing trials, said:

Testing at Newcastle Sixth Form College has given all of our students and staff the reassurance that the college is a safe environment for them to work and study.

The testing process is smooth and has minimal impact on teaching and learning.

The daily testing of close contacts has enabled students who would normally have had to self-isolate to continue to attend and enjoy the benefits of face-to-face teaching.

www.gov.uk/government/news/secondary-schools-and-colleges-to-get-weekly-coronavirus-testing[/quote]
Sounds brilliant , just a slight difference in those schools having it rolled out with a team of extra people to deliver it and not over a holiday.

Nationally on the other hand when it needs doing by those already working in the school may be some what different. The small matter of getting consent / staffing it / training / delivering on the first day after a two week closure etc may be an issue. Let’s see.

@santaassociationrepresentative do you know that the teacher caught it in school? Surely that is not the only possibility?

Don’t worry I have an idea. So we have all those DfE staff doing stuff so why don’t we get them to come into secondary schools to sort out the testing? After all they know their own guidance and will have arranged resources. That way teachers can crack on with teaching! Perfect!

*I’m not affected because I’m in Scotland but would support industrial action

Schools in Scotland haven't broken up for Christmas yet? Has Nicola Sturgeon budged on that?*

You’ve selectively quoted me @Clavinova, I said I would support industrial action in relating to testing in schools which doesn’t affect me because I’m in Scotland (and my kids are primary aged). Schools haven’t broken up in some places here - my two are in Monday and Tuesday.

Unfortunately, remote learning means no learning for many children....
No laptops
No quiet space
No motivation

This academy school has already updated its website - consent form for the lateral flow tests in the link;

www.elizabethan.notts.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1049

I note that school is operating outside the rules by having year 12 in.

Jellycatspyjamas
You’ve selectively quoted me Clavinova, I said I would support industrial action in relating to testing in schools which doesn’t affect me because I’m in Scotland (and my kids are primary aged). Schools haven’t broken up in some places here - my two are in Monday and Tuesday.

Oh, sorry about that - so schools are still open until the 22nd Dec in Scotland?

I bet those pilot schools were happy, they had planning time, proper resources, but best of all, trained squaddies setting up and administering the tests.

We’ve still got to cross fingers and hope Kevin’s mum will do it for free at short notice. With a PowerPoint.

Of course teachers can catch all sorts of illnesses in all sorts of places. A cold from visiting the in-laws. Athlete’s foot from the swimming pool. Septicaemia from cutting themselves on secateurs while pruning the roses. Weil’s Disease from foolishly swimming in the river.

But mostly they catch things in the place they spend their days - the classroom - and from the people they spend their days with - the children they teach, which could easily be 150 different children over the course of a day, all in close proximity to each other and the teacher.
If a teacher catches Covid, it’s likely to be in school, and likely to be from a student.

Oh yes consent forms. Bad enough getting those in for school trips let alone COVID testing.

That school’s consent form doesn’t have the information on it that the DfE’s template consent form has. That’s probably inadequate then. Pity the DfE released the template after schools closed.

[quote mumwalk]@santaassociationrepresentative do you know that the teacher caught it in school? Surely that is not the only possibility?[/quote]
I know for certain I caught mine from school.

2xrb, 18.26 yes...

Can't have 6 in a room but can have 30 + mixing.

I cannot fathom why.

I understand the primary issue, childcare.. As blunt as that sounds, so why not a return to no fines? Most schools due to class's si can put work on line, keep it simple, core subjects... Let key worker dc go in and like summer, dramatically thin out numbers.
Children of concern can also go in.

For secondary, allow them to also work on line.

If someone now tries to stalk starry's posts in an attempt to prove otherwise, I do hope MNHQ permanently ban them.

I note that school is operating outside the rules by having year 12 in.
In my school Y12 have exams starting on 7th, no word yet on whether that will be still allowed.

Disappointing that posters are still coming out with the ‘you don’t want to spend time with your DC’ line.

It is possible to want children in school plus safety measures in place to protect everyone.

Does anyone know how this would affect universities and higher education ?

Oh, sorry about that - so schools are still open until the 22nd Dec in Scotland?

Yes, my kids school is unless something has changed tiday.

@noelgiraffe

I don’t have much to say other than thank you for constantly raising awareness about the issues in schools and for tirelessly responding to people on the numerous threads you’ve been on.

I’m also a teacher but won’t be going back in January, as I’ll be nearly 8 months pregnant, so will be at home following advice from the midwives and the RCOG. Feeling guilty at leaving my colleagues but know it’s the right choice.

I really hope that you get some rest over the Christmas holiday and thanks again. ❤️