Statement in parliament this afternoon on 'reopening of schools in England'

[DownRightAmazing]

By Gavin.

I'm aware there are a million threads on this generally but this is specifically regarding the statement - any leaks/clues/predictions?

To state my own position: I think schools need to close to all except keyworker and vulnerable children. I feel it's obvious this needs to happen. My own two children are thriving at school and I'm not concerned about them at all - if their (primary) school is open, I will send them - but I worry for their teachers, any vulnerable parents of their classmates and of course the NHS.

My prediction (based on nothing): secondary schools blended/part time. Primary fully open. We are tier 4 fwiw and I disagree with opening schools in January...

I agree with your prediction. I want primaries open for "selfish" reasons, because I can't work if they aren't. I'm not a key worker so DS can't attend in the event of a closure, even though I can't work from home and as a single parent my income is essential.

What time is the review of tiers happening? Will the schools announcement follow on?

The rota approach hasn't been used yet with secondary - maybe that will come into play.

I agree with your predictions and think it will be a massive mistake, one we will regret as a whole country.

I have so much sympathy for your position. How could we support single working parents with schools closed?

I just want the choice. I'm disabled and terrified i'll catch this from my primary DC's before I get a vaccine .

@Butterymuffin

What time is the review of tiers happening? Will the schools announcement follow on?

The rota approach hasn't been used yet with secondary - maybe that will come into play.

I understand it's Matt H on tier review at 2:30 followed immediately Gavin on schools

I can request furlough, but unfortunately as we are very busy it would mean that my colleagues would have to work hours of overtime trying to do my job as well as theirs. I don't think it would make me very popular!

I think it will be what we have told, secondary 18th with the back up of testing in school... Primary totally thrown to the wolves.

It will be cataclysmic, we will be told daily how hospitals are struggling, how to stay apart whilst our families are connecting to thousands of others in the community.

Through students and students, students to teachers, to friends, siblings.

Wait, they found Gav.

I expect a staggered start for Secondary with a big focus on testing and the miltary even though this will be useless Primary will back as before with no changes.

I would also like to see parents given the choice. I'm sure there are a lot of parents especially in tier 4 who don't want to send their children it. It's unfair that they shouls be penalised and threatened with fines.

Speaking as a 49 (almost 50) year old vulnerable primary teacher in a tier 4 area with a full hospital, I would prefer not to be fully open. I don't want to leave my children without their only parent, thanks. Of course, it'd be put down to my underlying condition (that I have lived with since birth) and not the bloody stupid idea of opening primaries fully with no PPE or protection for staff. Again.

The way Hancock said... Steal thunder leads me to believe they are going to hang everything on the testing scenario and present that as a huge done deal.

Without thinking of the actual logistics. Eg students mixing whilst waiting for it

They aren't even testing primary kids or staff. Despite their infection curve increasing more rapidly than secondary age.

Testing will be a shambles. We are leaving 11 year olds to test theirselves

I do think schools should delay going back in T4 areas where hospitals are overwhelmed. Reading about Essex hospitals this morning.

They KNOW children spread this, particularly the new variant.

How on EARTH can they justify allowing primary schools to open as normal? The numbers are off the bloody scale at the moment. Just what do they think is going to happen in the next few weeks if hundreds of thousands of people go out and about, not just the children, but all the associated movement and mixing with regard to school life.

It is INSANE to even consider it.

Teachers becoming a priority for the vaccine is my guess, has a nice soundbite to it, populist, 'see we are not shutting schools' but in practice badly thought out and not going to help in the short term. Followed by a school is closed broadcast on Sunday evening if we are lucky but more likely Monday morning, possibly after some kids have already started school.

Primaries left to shut themselves, then it isn't the Government's doing. I think they will last about ten days!

Teachers getting the vaccine will not solve the issue of children spreading the virus like wildfire and taking it home (and to sleepovers/playdates/the local park).

Also think Gavin has refused to speak to the press!

Teachers becoming a priority for the vaccine is my guess, has a nice soundbite to it

Oh yes I can definitely see them saying this. Then when teachers / school staff complain about the increased spread and lack of measures, they can respond with but you're a priority for the vaccine.

ok so schools reopen

we will be in and out of lockdown through 2021,up and down tiers, half the country complying, half not bothering....thats the trade off

@CallmeAngelGabriel

Teachers getting the vaccine will not solve the issue of children spreading the virus like wildfire and taking it home (and to sleepovers/playdates/the local park).

No but it will protect the teachers of pupils whose parents let them have numerous social contacts. Which is better than nothing.

Absolute madness if they leave schools open, primary or secondary at this point.

I struggled doing a test on myself, so even as just a parent I can see that expecting secondary school pupils to do it properly is farcical. Teachers must be livid, they have been thrown under the bus yet again. It shows how much this country views teachers as so much more than educators.

I predict primaries open as normal
Secondary staggered from the 18th but they change this on the 11th and it gets pushed back again and again