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...

But The Sun leaks right just before schools announcements have always been correct.

Primaries and secondaries in T4 hotspots will stay shut for another 2 weeks

I wonder what will happen in 2 weeks time if the numbers keep going up.

I also wonder how those in the North, who had to send their children to school when cases were much higher feel about this news.

I also wonder how those in the North, who had to send their children to school when cases were much higher feel about this news.

Yes. It is funny how there wasn't this panic when it was rife where I live in the NE

@AaronPurr

Primaries and secondaries in T4 hotspots will stay shut for another 2 weeks

I wonder what will happen in 2 weeks time if the numbers keep going up.

I also wonder how those in the North, who had to send their children to school when cases were much higher feel about this news.

We are dealing with a new variant that is much more transmissible in school children (and adults). This wasn't the case when numbers when numbers were high in the North.

We are dealing with a new variant that is much more transmissible in school children (and adults). This wasn't the case when numbers when numbers were high in the North.

Hasn't the new variant been around since September?

We are dealing with a new variant that is much more transmissible in school children (and adults). This wasn't the case when numbers when numbers were high in the North.

True, but it will be old news by the time the new variant makes its way up here and we'll just have to crack on as before.

If they had shut schools in the North when it was rampant there there would have been absolute outrage at how unfair it was

@Char2015

But they've never tested in schools before, so you cannot make that statement. You've no idea what the rates were in schools previously. No one knows

Well that’s it then I think

Right decision but will be tough with work (we’re Tier 4)

What about nurseries and childminders?

We are dealing with a new variant that is much more transmissible in school children (and adults). This wasn't the case when numbers when numbers were high in the North.

Bollocks. If you look at the rate of spread in senior schools in the North it was evident it was spreading amongst children, it didn't spread amongst children in the first lockdown as they weren't in school. And as for kids mixing with or without school it's about the numbers. The majority of kids have a group of friends, even if they see these kids it's significantly lower than the bubbles 200+ that they are exposed to in school.

I’ve said it before but remote learning doesn’t work for Y12 & 13 who are taking A’levels in practical subjects (DT, Photography, Textiles etc) they need access to specialist kit and software and hands on support. Another few weeks of online learning only means NO teaching for that group of students. A disaster for Y13 leaving school in June/July.

They surely need to try letting certain groups go back / Rotas / Temperature taking etc before a blanket closure for all kids.

I feel so bad for my son who had no online learning March - July and is at risk of the same again.

• I also wonder how those in the North, who had to send their children to school when cases were much higher feel about this news.

Yes. It is funny how there wasn't this panic when it was rife where I live in the NE*

I suppose the argument is that the 'old' variant should have been kept under control with the restrictions in place at the time. The new more virulent type needs different restrictions.

That would wash better if there wasn't a more general theme of rules being developed from a London protection point of view all through the pandemic.

If The Sun is right, then I think we will see a lot of kicking the can down the road until February half term.

I think it will be clear that the promised testing can't be rolled out, so everything will be pushed back another week. Then, more places will go into Tier 4, which I think will mean more short term closures. Then it will be two weeks until February half term, so they'll say it's not worth getting students back in.

Which is all well and good, except it will be shit educationally as teachers can't prepare and students won't know if they are coming or going.

Also, for those saying schools should have reopenned in June, because cases were low, can you not see the link between schools reopening and cases surging...

[quote lcdododo]@Char2015

But they've never tested in schools before, so you cannot make that statement. You've no idea what the rates were in schools previously. No one knows[/quote]
You are wrong.
I can make that statement as school children have always been able to access tests since their return in September. Just because children have not been having tests in schools doesn't mean that they haven't been having tests done and that data doesn't exist for schools. Senior staff have been liaising with Public Health/DfE with regards to outbreaks. There is plenty of data for schools and numbers just as there is data that this new variant is being found in more children than the old variant.

@Char2015

That's rubbish. Well certainly is where I live. Not a single child in the 4 schools I work in have 'access' to tests and none are being tested.

@MissMarpletheMurderer

We are dealing with a new variant that is much more transmissible in school children (and adults). This wasn't the case when numbers when numbers were high in the North.

Bollocks. If you look at the rate of spread in senior schools in the North it was evident it was spreading amongst children, it didn't spread amongst children in the first lockdown as they weren't in school. And as for kids mixing with or without school it's about the numbers. The majority of kids have a group of friends, even if they see these kids it's significantly lower than the bubbles 200+ that they are exposed to in school.

You are wrong too. This new variant is 'new' and was not around during the first lockdown. It has just been found (well a few weeks ago). If this new variant was the cause of the spread in the North Oct/Nov time, we would of heard about this new variant then.

@XmasSkies2020

What about nurseries and childminders?

Nurseries will stay open no10 has apparently confirmed. Nothing said about CM but I imagine the same.

I’m praying that they keep schools open. We can’t eat fresh air. It really is that simple for us. No work = no food, no gas, no electricity and getting in debt with my mortgage.

Unfortunately I and plenty of others don’t live in LaLa land where we have thousands of saving in the bank or live solely of benefits. This is our reality. We’re in a T2 area. No outbreaks in term time time since September.

The transmission amongst children and students was highlighted in September. When SAGE made recommendations that were not acted upon for over a month.

We would not be anywhere near as bad now if they had been acted upon quickly.

[quote lcdododo]@Char2015

That's rubbish. Well certainly is where I live. Not a single child in the 4 schools I work in have 'access' to tests and none are being tested. [/quote]
It's for parents to access the tests not the schools.
Schools rely on parents giving the results which schools then relay to Dfe/Public Health/Track & Trace.

This new variant is 'new' and was not around during the first lockdown. It has just been found (well a few weeks ago).
If this new variant was the cause of the spread in the North Oct/Nov time, we would of heard about this new variant then.

They've know about the new variant since September. Why don't you think it was the cause of the spread in the North during Oct / Nov?

This new variant is 'new' and was not around during the first lockdown. It has just been found (well a few weeks ago).
If this new variant was the cause of the spread in the North Oct/Nov time, we would of heard about this new variant then.

They've know about the new variant since September. Why don't you think it was the cause of the spread in the North during Oct / Nov?

I think people are getting confused with the 'old/original variant' and this 'new variant' which is evidently more transmissible.

I agree. I’m not worried for my children but I don’t think it’s safe for the staff or parents who may be more vulnerable.

I cannot understand primary schools in tier 4 where we are staying open. Hospitals are on their knees. But I can’t afford to pay fines so I will send them if they are open.