They are going to close the schools again aren’t they.

[Amithetoxicone]

😱

@Dee96

I really get people that say the hope schools dont close, but do people realise if the appropriate action isnt taken now all that will happen is cases will drastically increase and harsher measures will have to be put in place. I'd rather schos shut now, necessary lives that dont need to be lost are saved, and we can flatten the rate of infection whilst it's still some what controllable. Not wait until schools open up, it spreads like wild fire then panic and have another full blown lockdown. It's been made clear schools is one of the most highest cause of cases, this needs to be dealt with. We need to protect those that have family members that are vulnerable. Even if it is an inconvenience for others.

I agree. I think it’s also a very valid point that closing before term starts would allow people to use grandparents and family for childcare more safely. Childcare bubbles and support bubbles are allowed now, they weren’t in the previous lockdown and actually that does make it easier for working parents

@BungleandGeorge

So we’re not bothered about the safety of keyworkers’ children or the staff who have to look after them?

Of course we are bothered. But with only key worker and vulnerable children in the numbers are smaller, distancing can be maintained and the ventilation can cope better. It’s not ideal, but what’s your solution? Many countries didn’t even supply key worker places. Would that be better?

I agree that schools have to close but I also suspect that their closure is a lot more than just an inconvenience for some.

@BungleandGeorge

So we’re not bothered about the safety of keyworkers’ children or the staff who have to look after them?

I'm happy for my keyworker child to be in. Happy for masks and windows open to protect the staff. Though he says it was all quite socially distanced in summer term.

So when do we find out one way or another? Is there a press conference today???

What if a keyworker would rather take furlough to keep themselves and their child safe at home?

Hahaha knowing the DfE it'll be 10pm Sunday night

@80sColourfulChristmas

So when do we find out one way or another? Is there a press conference today???

I think they’re going back as set out last week. The London schools have only changed because the LA challenged it, the government haven’t changed their recommendations.

@80sColourfulChristmas

So when do we find out one way or another? Is there a press conference today???

No there’s no press conference. Just a lot of hype in the news.

I very much doubt they’ll stop them all going back. There will be mayhem if they do.

@cansu

Maldives2006 Home learning packs do not always exist ready to go at any moment in case the government decide tomorrow that we are all online for all year groups because schools have been told to ensure they are covering the curriculum and offering more than just 'packs'. Even if I was allowed to produce a pack that could be done at any point in the year, it would be roundly trashed on here as being worksheet and paper based when the school down the road is doing live lessons. If the government gave schools better notice then more could be done. If I have most of the class in, I am going to teach them as normal. I can't then give the ones whose parents choose to keep them at home a pack that replicates that because it won't be worksheets, it will be teaching. Some parents want packs; some want live lessons; some want recorded lessons; some whose key worker children are in school want face to face proper lessons whilst everyone else at home is doing something different. It is impossible to do all 4 and please everyone. In our last round of remote learning for isolating kids. Some parents thought the kids had too much work and were stressed out. Some wanted more. Some kids expected the teachers to respond to their questions during the day when the teachers were teaching other kids in school. It really isn't as straightforward as you would think. Some parents want google meets; some don't. Some parents want regular phone calls; some find it intrusive and annoying. Some ask for paper work and then don't come and collect it. Some want feedback; some say they have done the work but can't hand it in and will give it in at some point in the future. Some drop in and out of the lessons so might do nothing for a week and then suddenly start working. They then find it hard as they missed the previous lessons in the sequence. I will do whatever I am asked to do by the school but I think it needs to be understood by those who want to keep their kids at home whilst others are in school that this is not a case of just putting together a 'pack' and sending it home.

Hallelujah for this post! Should be required reading for every parent.

Preparing for the possibility of home learning isn't the same as having home learning planned and resourced for every given week of the year, taking account of all children's progress and different needs, AS WELL as planning for in school teaching, which in normal times, along with teaching and marking, means teachers work on average 50+ hours per week.

If it were so easy there would be a national online school and no need for teachers, just supervisors to watch children follow the national lessons. If you haven't understood that online learning is no substitute for real teaching by now, honestly you haven't been paying attention.

That of course relies on that support being available- I live 550 miles away from family/closest friends. There is one nursery where I live and it doesn’t consider my job to be a ‘key worker’ role as a student nurse despite the fact that my employer/ the university does. My nanny is pregnant and isolating so has quit working for me so I have no childcare at all but I am expected to attend all mandatory placements and training to become qualified.
At this rate there will be so many student nurses unable to qualify to work because there are not enough placements to keep delaying and delaying and then expecting a catch up period.

80sColourfulChristmas
If you think she is deliberately being unhelpful, you need to put your request in writing and take it further. Can you approach the CEO of the trust if it is an academy or the LEA? If you think your child needs an EHCP, there is a template letter on IPSEA's website to apply for one yourself. You don't need the school's agreement to do this. What do you think is behind the refusal to help? Is it because your child refuses to follow staff instructions?

Some parents want packs; some want live lessons; some want recorded lessons; some whose key worker children are in school want face to face proper lessons whilst everyone else at home is doing something different. It is impossible to do all 4 and please everyone. In our last round of remote learning for isolating kids. Some parents thought the kids had too much work and were stressed out.

Can we save this for every thread about remote learning? I think on MN especially, a lot of parents don't realise that what they personally want may not be what other parents in the school want. There are so many variables. We do pre-recorded lessons but some parents don't want this so we also do paper packs as they have requested. You cannot provide a paper-based pack that replicates what is done in a video. Not to mention also trying to provide differentiated videos and resources for those pupils who can't access the main learning.

Yes, at the last fucking minute.

Our primary is already closed (as well as secondary) but I’d be fuming if I’d been told it would be open and it was closed over the weekend. Just get your act in gear!

They’ve literally waited until everyone had got the PE kit sorted and by the front door ready to go! All the uniform and bag sorted etc. (This last bit is lighthearted obviously!)

Why arent unions and teachers petitioning the governmnet to be first in line for the vaccine. We really cant disrupt kids lives anymore than we have to. The 70 and 80 year olds can isolate a bit longer rather than forcing kids to isolate at home away from school and their friends.

@Flapjak

Why arent unions and teachers petitioning the governmnet to be first in line for the vaccine. We really cant disrupt kids lives anymore than we have to. The 70 and 80 year olds can isolate a bit longer rather than forcing kids to isolate at home away from school and their friends.

@Flapjak can you imagine the press response if teachers claimed they should be prioritised over the elderly?

I mean, look at the vitriol being sent their way today for the crime of wanting to be safe at work.

And when you consider the absolute shitshow they’ve caused with second doses of the vaccine, nobody can have faith any more that vaccination is the literal “cure all” it was promised to be.

@Lividlovely, its all a shitshow anyway, but if teachers are more at risk of contracting covid than other workers or the elderley then they should be prioritised. I am at risk as having close contact with patients who dont wear masks but would happily forsake my vaccination of kids can return to school

The way things are going today I don't think schools will be open on Monday/Tuesday whichever day you start back. The unions are calling for the government to close schools and are putting legal action together to request the government to make know the scientific data which shows its safe for them to open.

They are talks of strike action and asking headteacher not to action against any staff who feel unsafe to come into work.

My DD2(8)’s primary schools will be open as usual, but we are in tier 3 (who knows how long for??). I’m glad that DD1 (11) won’t be going back to her high school until the 18th at least. Not because I don’t want her in school but it’s clear that the virus was spreading widely via secondary schools, particularly teenagers. I have long Covid and my DH has asthma hence why I’m nervous.

And yes, I also think schools are likely to have all been closed by the end of the month.

All we can do is hang in there. At least there is light at the end of the tunnel with a vaccine being rolled out. It looks like being a long haul, though.

Another really hope not but think they will

I agree that teachers unions should be pushing to be first in line for the vaccine. That will make it possible for schools to stay open, which is clearly a priority.

God I hope not. Despite now being in tier 4 we still don't have a massive number of cases. As staff and a parent I want to go back to work.

Obviously whether school is open or not I'll be in work and the kids will be there as keyworker children.

I'm really at a loss about what to do come Tuesday. My ds is currently under investigation for a possible asthma diagnosis, when he gets a bad chest it's nearly always viral induced so obviously I'm concerned about him catching covid but I'm also worried I'm gona be fined like hell for not sending him in. Don't think it's fair parents being put in this position of worrying what to do

There's a petition to get it debated petition.parliament.uk/petitions/561988?fbclid=IwAR3nPUzXYLJFsps_AtNmIaOSz2lwfB49WSzuwyY7ZDwDA7qWDOhpB2CdpeM

[quote BungleandGeorge]@rothbury are you including keyworkers in that?[/quote]
I thought keyworkers children still had places at primary?