Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Schools plan in January

234 replies

Ohbabybab · 30/12/2020 15:07

amp.theguardian.com/education/2020/dec/30/return-to-english-secondary-schools-and-universities-to-be-delayed?__twitter_impression=true

From this it seems the plan is to close schools in tier 4 areas but what about pupils and staff who live in other tiers and commute in?

OP posts:
Lauren1983 · 30/12/2020 16:14

I would be very surprised if primary schools closed. The childcare logistics will be a nightmare for many and I think that will be the reason for keeping them open over any scientific data saying they should close.

pinkpetal2 · 30/12/2020 16:18

Majority of primary back on Monday

Strawberrypancakes · 30/12/2020 16:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flamingolingo · 30/12/2020 16:19

not all schools in tier 4 areas - hmmm not sure about the wisdom of that...

MarshaBradyo · 30/12/2020 16:20

Not sure what’s happening here need list of areas

SatsumasOrClementines · 30/12/2020 16:20

@Strawberrypancakes @Lauren1983

Childcare is such a shitty reason to keep primary schools and nurseries open.

Keep them open for key worker children and vulnerable children yes, but don’t throw teachers and school staff unwillingly into the front line as cannon fodder just for the reason of childcare.

Willyoujustbequiet · 30/12/2020 16:21

Most primary back next week but some not depending where you live.

MarshaBradyo · 30/12/2020 16:21

Ok exam years in for secondary

MarshaBradyo · 30/12/2020 16:22

In contingency areas

Chewbecca · 30/12/2020 16:23

Wonder about nurseries in the worst hit areas?

RaffertyBear · 30/12/2020 16:23

Best line of attack is to keep schools open using mass testing which is now available. - Ed Sec.

You are allowed to travel from T4 to T3 for work.

Char2015 · 30/12/2020 16:23

It would be helpful if he said in what areas primary schools would not be open on the 4th.

Meredithgrey1 · 30/12/2020 16:24

@juliainthedeepwater

It drives me absolutely mad how the stories about school closures hardly EVER mention nurseries - despite it being extremely relevant to parents.. more so generally as pre-school children have the highest childcare demands!

As far as I know nurseries are statistically less affected than primaries and secondaries (and definitely anecdotally in my experience), so maybe the assumption is just that of course they’ll remain open.. but I’d really appreciate the clarity!!

Agreed. From Gavin Williamson’s statement just now, some primaries will close - in those areas, will nurseries also close? I’m assuming not since he didn’t mention it, but i don’t like assuming it based on it just not being mentioned.
Emmie12345 · 30/12/2020 16:24

Can anyone confirm what’s happening with y11s please?

JacobReesMogadishu · 30/12/2020 16:24

No way would I send a kid of mine to school. If it’s not safe for me to leave the home it’s not safe for my child to go to school.

Seriouslymole · 30/12/2020 16:24

[quote SatsumasOrClementines]**@Strawberrypancakes* @Lauren1983*

Childcare is such a shitty reason to keep primary schools and nurseries open.

Keep them open for key worker children and vulnerable children yes, but don’t throw teachers and school staff unwillingly into the front line as cannon fodder just for the reason of childcare.[/quote]
You do realise that in order to keep the NHS afloat there needs to be an actual economy, don't you? There HAS to be a private sector to pay for all our keyworkers. Education is not childcare but it does allow people to work, which allows the economy to function which allows for such luxuries as the NHS.

Nellle · 30/12/2020 16:24

@marshabradyo But a week later than planned.

HibernatingTill2030 · 30/12/2020 16:25

2 weeks is the initial plan, bet it will be reviewed and expanded.
And I think he also said not all tier 4 areas. I would expect London/South East areas to be the main ones.

pinkpetal2 · 30/12/2020 16:25

I'm confused I've just watched it but my kids are running around so didn't hear if tier4 schools won't be opening? They are in primary one in nursery.

RaffertyBear · 30/12/2020 16:25

@Emmie12345 Year 11s are going in, in all areas.

Nellle · 30/12/2020 16:25

@emmie1234 Year 11 back in from 11th Jan

HibernatingTill2030 · 30/12/2020 16:25

@Char2015

It would be helpful if he said in what areas primary schools would not be open on the 4th.
He said there will be a list published today on the .gov website. I expect it will be on the BBC later too.
RaffertyBear · 30/12/2020 16:26

@pinkpetal2 Most schools (including all primaries) will open in T4, some areas will only open for exam years, key worker and vulnerable children in secondaries.

mass testing will take place.

RaffertyBear · 30/12/2020 16:27

Sorry overwhelming number of primary schools, not all - but the majority across T4 will open, yes.

CanICelebrate · 30/12/2020 16:27

I’m so torn. I teach year 11 and my year 10 son has a couple of early GCSEs and they are all so anxious having missed so much school. I’m heartbroken about with disruption to their education.
Equally, I think realistically schools have to close as the virus is out of control. It’s a nightmare here in the SE.

I am not so worried about my younger primary dc missing school as it’s easier to keep up at home but in my case they’ll still have to go in as key worker children anyway.

The uncertainty and worry is really stressing me out.