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Original poster

Primary schools in January

147 replies

IncidentsandAccidents · 22/12/2020 10:19

It seems pretty inevitable that secondary schools will close for a while in January, but what about primaries? The government's messaging is focused on mobilising mass testing but this was only planned for secondaries. Does this mean primaries will open? Or will they keep them closed and plan to test in primaries too? I know no-one has the answer but I'd be interested to hear predictions, especially from those working in primaries.

OP posts:
cantkeepawayforever · 22/12/2020 12:49

@MarshaBradyo

Cant why wouldn’t you get a KW place?
DD is secondary - old enough to work alone at home, though the home learning offered by her school, even in most recent isolation, meant that i would come home every day to several hours of going through her work with her and supporting her MH.

She is able, non-SEN, hardworking, responsible, older teen .... but still requires teaching / support, which as the only adult at home during the week is my responsibility

LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/12/2020 12:50

I work in a tier 4 school, we had bubbles popping left, right and centre. Teachers, TA's and kids are ill now and/or isolating. My daughters school had 56 positive cases amongst pupils and also many staff leading to school closure. School is the best place for kids, we managed to deliver so much last term under stressful conditions. I work hours beyond what I am paid each day trying to keep up with the cleaning and covering classes where staff are off or isolating. It does feel like we are dodging a bullet each day.

NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 12:52

Someone needs to employ lateral thinking around plans. There are all sorts of options.

There's zero indication this will definitely happen yet though even in tier 4.

They need more info.

MarshaBradyo · 22/12/2020 12:52

Cant well I won’t disagree with that. But it’s part of the reason home learning isn’t a great option, especially long term.

NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 12:54

Our school was like that during second lockdown Lumpy.

We did really well keeping it going. Had to close some classes.

It's just if the new variant has any extra impact than changes the status quo.

NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 12:55

especially long term.

It's an appalling option long term.

blue25 · 22/12/2020 12:55

All schools will be closed for the whole of January.

MarshaBradyo · 22/12/2020 12:57

@blue25

All schools will be closed for the whole of January.
Why are you so certain you know what will be decided?
3littlewords · 22/12/2020 12:58

@blue25

All schools will be closed for the whole of January.
Are you Gav in disguise?
LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/12/2020 12:59

We never close though, open for key worker kids which we continued through some holidays. May need to extend the list of key workers. If kids aren't in school they suffer.

NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 13:01

World at 1 radio 4 may have a piece on now.

toolatetooearly · 22/12/2020 13:01

@blue25

All schools will be closed for the whole of January.
All schools will be open for the whole of January.
Katjolo · 22/12/2020 13:02

Unfortunately, I feel that tier 4 schools at least will need to close. Remote learning for at least a few weeks. I feel sorry for the children but things are just too risky at the moment. Either way, BoJo won't announce it until 10pm on Sunday 3rd.

Itisasecret · 22/12/2020 13:05

To be fair, that is what is on the front page of the Telegraph today. So a good shout, especially as plans are always leaked first. All schools, possibly for the whole of January.

I am with can't it makes me feel sick, my own kids, KW children, online provision is a nightmare. It is what is is. I think that is why people in schools were so vocal about stopping it before this happened.

No-one wants to go back to that, least of all staff in schools. It was horrendous for everyone.

everythingthelighttouches · 22/12/2020 13:05

noblegiraffe

I know you’ve been on the case with this for a long time. Thank you.

I’ve been looking at a lot of data all year long (Mainly biology).
But I have to say the graph you just posted (I put it again below, as it bears repeating) is the most alarming and depressing I’ve seen yet, because I know what it means.

Primary schools in January
NorthumbrianMama · 22/12/2020 13:05

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LumpySpacedPrincess · 22/12/2020 13:06

@Katjolo

Unfortunately, I feel that tier 4 schools at least will need to close. Remote learning for at least a few weeks. I feel sorry for the children but things are just too risky at the moment. Either way, BoJo won't announce it until 10pm on Sunday 3rd.
You're right about that! The lack of communication has been appalling. Updating and changing guidelines dozens of times, providing no money for any of the changes just expecting them to magically happen.
Swirlingasong · 22/12/2020 13:11

For those who have said they would like schools closed or at least part-time until all the CEV are vaccinated, please remember that CEV and CV children will not be vaccinated at all.

As the mum of a child who was on the shielding list in March, I am terrified that the rest of the country will relax once vulnerable adults are vaccinated and vulnerable children will be forgotten. It really makes me feel like my child is seen as expendable.

designmama · 22/12/2020 13:12

I hope the primary schools stay open. My Daughter has missed enough school already and it is not good for them to be holed up indoors and away from their peers for so long. We need some more vaccine doses and a lot of antibody testing too.

everythingthelighttouches · 22/12/2020 13:12

NeurotreeWenceslas

World at 1 radio 4 may have a piece on now

Damn it! I wasn’t quick enough. What did they say?

Coldwinterahead1 · 22/12/2020 13:13

I'm working out a plan to work from home whilst my dts are home in January. I think its inevitable that they will need to stay off.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 22/12/2020 13:28

We're in Scotland and will be off until at least the 18th January.
I'm expecting longer though.
Its not good for DD who craves company and will follow me about the house all day nipping my head.
Its going to be great for DS who has SEN and struggles in a classroom. Last lockdown I got him reading. This time I might send him back writing properly.
The last email I sent to his school was a request for flexischooling on the grounds that he can either behave himself in a classroom or learn things...but clearly can't do both at the same time. That feels ironic now.
Luckily I only work 21 hours per week and I've been wfh since March. I'm thinking of getting into the habit of starting work at 4 or 5 am, to free up more time for the kids during the day.
Gall stone pain tends to wake me up around then anyway Sad so its no biggie to take a painkiller and get on the laptop.

NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 13:31

@everythingthelighttouches

NeurotreeWenceslas

World at 1 radio 4 may have a piece on now

Damn it! I wasn’t quick enough. What did they say?

It was a range of things, no real science.

Was interrupted a lot mind you, need to listen again!

The head (?) teacher on did comment it was in secondary that there was a bigger issue. And that many staff were similarly affected as pupils. No real difference in virulence, just numbers.

gallbladderpain · 22/12/2020 13:34

@Swirlingasong

For those who have said they would like schools closed or at least part-time until all the CEV are vaccinated, please remember that CEV and CV children will not be vaccinated at all.

As the mum of a child who was on the shielding list in March, I am terrified that the rest of the country will relax once vulnerable adults are vaccinated and vulnerable children will be forgotten. It really makes me feel like my child is seen as expendable.

Right here with you ! My children haven't been to school since March have barely been out of the house other for walks in empty parks. We are WFH and homeschooling all this time and getting online deliveries and all the rest of it. Pretty much our own contact with anyone has been on hospital trips and stays. Some people seem to think as well that this is always the way of life for these children but to look at my child before covid running around as normal in a group of kids you would never pick them out as being 'unwell' It really makes me sad that we've just been forgotten about just so that everyone else doesn't have to homeschool and WFH even for a very short period of time because it affects their lives and inconveniences them so much yet no one considers the long term inconvenience to these families and there will be many more across the country like yours and mine ! I'm just glad that myself and the kids seem to have a lot more resilence than I see on these sorts of posts
NeurotreeWenceslas · 22/12/2020 13:34

A very sensible pupil commented that a good plan was sorely needed as the chaos and lack of certainty was difficult.

He'll go far.