Robert Peston thinks school opening will be delayed in Tier 4...

[BluemoonIsawyou]

He is usually (always?) right in predictions as the government is v predictable in who they leak to... I think it’s the right decision fwiw.

I think this might be the way forward is depending on what tier an area is in will determine whether the schools within that area are open or not. So schools in tier 2/3 remain open, those in 4 are closed (with exceptions).

Lost all the quotes there!

Thanks @Passmeabottlemrjones I actually got it the wrong way round I think we are about to move into tier 4, but DD goes to a school currently in tier 3!

The fact that nothing concrete about primaries has been leaked makes me think that ... they might not actually have decided yet??

I cannot get my head around potentially closing secondary and moving to online but not primary? It's absolutely crazy. The amount of cvhildten who have siblings in secondary and all the mixing of adults at drop off/pick up!
I teach in a small primary, tier 4, and I think remote working (we are all set up ready to go) for a few weeks is absolutely needed for all

I do think they might just see what happens if they send them all back in in primary school.

What he tweeted was his opinion

“ My presumption (as per earlier Tweet) is that school re-openings will be delayed in Tier 4 areas. And with more regions going in to Tier 4 later today, that is a lot of students not going to school next week”

I find it staggering that the first schools are going to know of the new plan is the moment Williamson stands up in the Commons and announces it. He hasn't bothered to consult with any schools, headteachers or the unions. His disregard for all three is off the scale.

All schools in Tier 4 delayed by 2 weeks according to the sun

www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/13604134/covid-schools-final-decision-kids-mutant-delayed/

To be honest I am just hoping for a straight answer today. DH is a secondary teacher in Tier 4, I am a primary teacher in Tier 4 and we live (and our DS goes to primary school) in a separate Tier 4 area with the highest rates in the country.

Would just like to know what is going on so we can plan!

His earlier tweet:

“ There is also a decision to be taken today on whether schools reopen as scheduled next week. The prime minister and education secretary would be rejecting the unambiguous advice of his scientific advisers if they do not delay the beginning of term. So my assumption...

is Gavin Williamson will announce today that his position has changed, and that schools will not re-open next week - though the potential damage to young people, especially vulnerable young people, is significant. As one scientific adviser told me: "the only big lever...

we have to pull is schools".

His Assumption

Looks like many people don’t bother reading carefully and he’s had to retweet it’s his opinion

@ThelmaNotLouise

I find it staggering that the first schools are going to know of the new plan is the moment Williamson stands up in the Commons and announces it. He hasn't bothered to consult with any schools, headteachers or the unions. His disregard for all three is off the scale.

That's how it's been all the way through. Headteachers and slt are busy right now trying to sort out the procedures from the dfe announcements just before the end of term. We've received letters and consent forms yesterday but it could all be changed after today.

Well the sun have been leaked something very similar so we’ll see...

I don't want schools to close but the uncertainty is worse, I just want to know either way now. I haven't been able to enjoy this time off with DS cos I've been so stressed about it!

I’ve got a private school next door to me (in Kent, tier 4) that has borders from other parts of the U.K. and overseas, term starts on Tuesday I think. Do independent schools have to follow the same guidance as the state sector and stay closed or do they get to test and isolate on site? The previous guidance seems to suggest they can test and isolate on the premises but I wonder if that will change now. I know no one can tell me but it seems crazy if it’s business as usual in some schools albeit a minority.

*boarders!

Kicking the can down the road...

Private schools have to follow the same guidance.

DS's school have some boarders, although mainly a day school. The boarding houses were treated as households, so as soon as a boarder showed symptoms all the boarders in that boarding house had to isolate together in the house and weren't allowed out, until a negative result was received. Luckily no positive cases (yet!)They would then have remote lessons, which were the normal lessons the other pupils were having with a camera on the teacher so they could watch on their laptops through Google classroom.

Our secondary has already been confirmed staggered start

@yawnsvillex is that based on the guidance published just before Christmas?

Yes @ineedaholidaynow ... does that mean it's bollox?

@yawnsvillex depends what Gavin says this afternoon

Guardian journalist reporting following:

Josh Halliday @joshhalliday
Excl: Areas being placed into Tier 4 include all of north-east England, Cumbria, Cheshire, Warrington, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, most of West Midlands, all East Midlands except Rutland, large parts of South West.

Excl Tier 3: Liverpool, Rutland, all Yorkshire and Humber, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, large parts of South West including Cornwall.

Nowhere will be in Tier 2. Only Isles of Scilly in Tier 1.

What is the point of primaries being forced in when young kids are just as likely to spread it?

Are the teachers and families of primary kids literally being used to keep the country going & tough shit if more people die?

Go Jeremy hunt!!