Any other school staff feeling really nervous about January?

[HeyListenNavi]

I work in a large secondary, as a TA. Which means I have to sit next to the students I support, so no 2 metre distance. I can wear a mask in all communal areas, but not in a classroom where I have to sit next to the students I am supporting.

I have a young ECV son and I am so terrified of bringing home the virus to him, after shielding him through the majority of the year it feels so uncomfortable to be back among such a huge amount of people at close distance. Through the first lockdown I was able to work from home but now students are back I am in school and therefore so is he.

I am feeling so anxious with the rising numbers, 36k today! This new strain also. Anyone else feeling the same?

Yes, TA in a primary school, 1-1 in reception so the only protection I have is open windows and a squirt of gel!
Absolutely terrified and its the first Christmas holidays that I've felt like this as soon as I broke up. Take care.

Teacher here. I feel that if you want to you should be allowed to wear a mask. I do when walking around the room handing out things. Some pupils sit with masks on and I never tell them to remove them. The government clearly don't give a shit. We have to take responsibility for ourselves now.

It's so shit you are being put into this situation.

Hopefully with the first week being a staggered start you will be safe ish that week.

But after that I'd seriously consider phoning on sick or saying that you have to self isolate for 2 weeks to give yourself a chance to see the situation in your school.

You should be allowed to wear a mask, too.

Thank you Mumma and Flumposie for replying.

In our school wearing a mask inside a classroom is a sanction for students . So I dont think a member of staff wearing one would go down so well.

I had to put my foot down when asked to support students in different years, therefore mixing already huge bubbles. I am now based in one year group, which already consists of 260 students.

I absolutely love my job and have worked at this school for 15 years, I just hate the situation we have all been put in. It just feels so unsafe.

Thank you for the advice SansaSnark, that does feel like an option at the moment

Teacher in special needs school. No masks unless changing a child. Visors to collect & drop children. Isolated 3 times this term as pupil and staff positive in my class. Feels like I've dodged it until now through pure luck. Also have 2 dc in another school in 2 separate bubbles, ones already had to isolate. Seems only a matter of time

Yes very worried.

I'm a teacher in a secondary school. I teach 8 classes across 5 yeargroups. I wear a mask any time I'm not actively teaching from the board. All of our TAs wear masks in the classroom, and any pupil they are working with also have to wear masks, as they are so much closer, and for a longer time than us teachers. I try not to leave my "safe zone* (which isn't really safe but we're told that it is) if I can help it. That's obviously not possible for TAs though, as kids with SEN usually need you close at hand to support them.

I'm hoping the mass testing will help identify most of the positive cases before they get back into the classroom with me. But I'm terrified of the plan to replace isolation with daily testing. That's a terrible idea imo.

I have had 6 cases across 5 of my 6 classes. I feel like I've dodged it so many times.

Yes.

Op and the others on masks, unfortunately you won't get hardly any protection by wearing a mask, you will protect the students from you to a certain degree, but for YOUR protection, THEY need to wear masks.

I'm not sure how much longer with this new development how they can STOP mask wearing in class as mandatory, because it stops learning.
Because so does a rampaging virus that spreads via the mouth.

Op, I'm dreading it and our setting has said we are back on 4th. I don't feel I could go back, one particular day is in a very crowded room with a group of lovely but particularly high spirited teens.
I don't know if I can send dc back but one is facing an exam.

That's really surprising, OP. In my son's school (secondary) as students must wear masks indoors at all times unless eating. They have to have at least 2 in their bag so they can change it at lunch. Not having them means they have to buy a disposable and is treated as uniform violation.

I work in a primary school library and their is a definate air of concern with all staff. It's a very worrying time. Hope you're OK x

This sounds awful, im so surprised that you can't wear a mask.

I'm a TA in Scotland and our HT has us well warned that we must wear a mask if we can't maintain a 2m distance from pupils and encourages us to wear a visor too. Despite this, many of us have still tested positive.

Why are you not allowed to wear a mask? I'm not surprised that you're worried. What is your union saying about this?

Yes.

Not worried about Covid as such but about all the things that will potentially get cancelled and about the possibility of closing and having to teach online. It worked so badly for my subject last year (Performing Arts) and every day just felt shit and miserable. It's the only time I've ever hated teaching. I'm worried about having to test children too. Towards the end of last term it really felt like things were looking up (vaccine news, numbers starting to drop) and now it's all just got so bad so quickly that it is quite frightening.

I'm also surprised you can't wear a mask. I know the guidelines have always said that it's not necessary to wear them in the classroom but it's not possible to tell an adult that they mustn't wear one. Just do it. Your health and peace of mind is more important than what yet another government document says.

I've worn one since Sept when I'm sitting with the children or moving around the room. I only take it off when I'm teaching from the front. Nobody's said anything. Plenty of other staff do the same. And a couple of children.

Not worried about Covid at all.

But hate the thought of having to do online learning again.

Visors will definitely help to deflect up close droplets hitting you, even if they are poor at stopping covid it will give some protection.

I felt totally safe doing on line learning and many learners did well with it. No mental strain of worrying about going into a germ pit everyday and my own dc were safe.

I can't see any other way to manage this crisis.

I will be wearing a mask at all times come January, unfortunately the main child I support is exempt so I will spend 80% of my time with them and no mask.

If I didnt need the money so badly as a lone parent, I would have handed in my notice by now. I'm not worried about catching it, I have no underlying illness fit and well etc, but my son is extremely vulnerable and I just wish I could keep him at home safe.

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and January is not as bad as we fear.

Tell them you have to wear a mask for your own health concerns !

A mask won't really help op but will help her charge.

Op I'd wear visor as well so droplets can't hit you and ask if your charge can wear a visor. Make sure windows are open.

I work in a secondary school in a Tier 4 area. My role is first aid and looking after pupils who are unwell, either physically (including those with fever, cough, loss of smell/taste) or struggling with their mental health. I work with all year groups.

My husband is clinically vulnerable, so I shower and change my clothes as soon as I come in from work, in the hope that this is reducing the risk.

I was coping OK for most of this term, then about a month ago my cousin (40s) died from Covid. Since then I've been feeling more on edge.

@HeyListenNavi would you be allowed to wear a mask with a clear window in it (the ones designed so people can read lips)?