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...

So worth 1 working day left schools are still left unaware of if they are fully open or not next week and are expected to organise everything accordingly whilst the Dfe still haven’t given a full picture of what is happening or what is expected

Our area has just released a major incident alert for the NHS. Our cases are over double the national average (they've gone up in just two weeks), but I doubt our primaries will close, even though we are one of the most rapidly raising areas in the country.

@DfEisashambles poverty can kill too. If people cannot work and cannot feed their kids that's OK?

@Lifeispassingby

So worth 1 working day left schools are still left unaware of if they are fully open or not next week and are expected to organise everything accordingly whilst the Dfe still haven’t given a full picture of what is happening or what is expected

You sound surprised. I'm more shocked they've announced it so early. Still, there's plenty of time for a u-turn before next week...

@SueEllenMishke

But it’s okay because people don’t have to look after their kids

But it's okay because people will be able to keep their jobs and therefore keep a roof over their heads and feed their children

There.... fixed it for you.

Oh do fuck off with this nonsense, school is not childcare. It’s there to educate your child. It’s not a place where you palm them off just so you can do your ever so important job.

Oh sabrina [flowers}

My school isn't fining...are you sure yours would?

@WishIWasSomewhereElse

Our area has just released a major incident alert for the NHS. Our cases are over double the national average (they've gone up in just two weeks), but I doubt our primaries will close, even though we are one of the most rapidly raising areas in the country.

Us too. Bucks @WishIWasSomewhereElse ?

@Noellodee

I don't have so much of an issue with lateral flow tests for mass testing, its in the place of isolation that is truly criminal.

Agree

You can’t blame schools for the rise in infections over the last 10 days- they’ve been closed. Gavin explained the rationale.

Children need to be in school learning. The government is doing the right thing protecting a whole generation’s future. Closing them should be a last resort.

They have explained why the decision was made- that the costs of closing schools to the majority of students outweighs any benefits to lowering community transmission. So it’s the right decision.

We are very grateful to teachers working through this pandemic. We are also very grateful to our supermarket staff, healthcare professionals, dentists, takeaway staff etc. Lots of people are working throughout this f2f with the public including my family and putting their health at risk for others.

If we were at war and our military capacity was not enough, working age citizens would be called up for military service. This is no different really. We all have to do our bit and serve our country selflessly.

Fuck me.
We can keep clinically vulnerable year 6 ds home, school are not happy, but we have no choice and they will have to support, if not we will keep him home anyway...but sending his sister's into secondary, knowing that they will be relying on lateral flow tests instead of isolating contacts... I haven't felt like crying over this for a while, but the fucking never ending incompetence of this shower of shites, when we are trying so hard to do the right thing, is hitting me hard today.

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@DfEisashambles poverty can kill too. If people cannot work and cannot feed their kids that's OK?[/quote]
This is true but the fix to this is the government actually providing financial support for people in those situations, not abandoning a necessary public health policy.

Goldenlabbie but if we didn't send them to school and went to work leaving them home alone you'd say it's neglect. Bottom line is women work now, school isn't a babysitting service but it's bloody handy when your juggling 2 kids on your own and a full time job. If that doesn't apply to you then lucky you

Will the unions now get involved ?
Surely another couple weeks off and schools closed to get numbers down and some of the oxford vaccinations rolled out wouldn't hurt
Yes I know its crap for childcare but it will be crap if your kid catches it and then brings it home and your all off as well

If cases have risen with schools shut what will happen with them open?

Another half-arsed education department response that will result in this whole thing being dragged out for longer than necessary and increase the education disparity across the UK.

They just will not learn. This Govt needs to go.

You can’t blame schools for the rise in infections over the last 10 days- they’ve been closed.

Symptoms can take up to 10-14 days to appear.

All those relieved?

Are you sending your children to school so you can go and work in a room with 30 people from 30 different households and you're relieved you'll keep your job and pay the bills?

I'd like to know what other workplaces have the same non covid secure guidelines

@gannett that would be great but they're not doing that. They're shit.

This is a huge relief for me. My child needs to be in school and I need to be in work to keep our family financially stable. On balance I think the right decision.

And as a CV, over 50 year old teacher, it’s ok as long as you’ve got a job, but never mind if my children end up without a Mum because I’ve got to provide free babysitting for you? Go fk yourself.

No, I won't.

You know nothing about my situation but the reality is that people are losing their livelihoods, their homes and can't feed their kids.

There is more than one perspective here. Laying into people who are relieved that schools are open as that means they get to keep their jobs or insinuating they want schools open because they don't want to look after their kids just makes you sound nasty.

The fear of losing your house and not being able to feed your kids a real fear too and people are allowed to be relieved they may have some respite.

@Donuts000

Tosser!!!

Toaster made me laugh

We all have to do our bit and serve our country selflessly.

With no PPE and no possible social distancing, seeing upward of 150 different children a day?

While the now “tested” children no longer self-isolate when in contact with other positive cases?

@whatshalliget

The lateral flow tests are not reliable but and that’s well known but those are a front really.

Yes and can schools refuse to take part in the lateral flow test charade / game of Russian Roulette? Large amounts of cognitive dissonance coming our way.

Yes they can.

Mine isn't.

Schools will be chaos, children and teachers isolating and heads left to organise testing along with online learning for the many that will be home.

Half arsed responses have never bode well but this government genuinely doesn’t care.

@XmasSkies2020 there will be people getting test results now who picked it up at school. Contracted on 16th/17th December, first symptoms 23rd December, so tested 24th and got results on 28th December. Then pass to another family member in the household and so on, it’s easily still come from school