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

[Amithetoxicone]

😱

I have 3 dc at 3 different secondary schools.

1 is back in person tomorrow, 1 is back online from Tuesday and waiting an appointment to be tested so can go back to school. The other is back online until the 18th then back to school for weekly tests.

Had a call from t&t Xmas eve one bubble had burst 10 days at home....have a feeling there will be at least 1 at home isolating for the foreseeable future

An alternative to repeating the whole school year (which, as others have said, would only be possible if school starting age was permanently raised) would be to open schools over the summer. Basically, just make NOW the long 6 week break (because the reality is they are highly likely to keep them off til after the feb half term) and instead have the schools open through the summer. I’ve NC to suggest this as I know many teachers will strongly object, but the gov could make it worth their while by paying them time and a half over time - it would be worth it as having the schools open would allow others to work and so boost the economy. I can imagine many will think they will be off holidaying come July, but it’s time to be honest: we still won’t have vaccinated the full population by July, so holidays and travel are going to be out. And anyway, kids education is more important

I don't believe there any choice now but to close schools. However we are now in a dammed if you do damned if you don't situation. Government was rolling out mass vaccinations in schools but now gone pear shaped so will delay everything now. Not only that us parents have to juggle work and teaching again!

Basically, just make NOW the long 6 week break (because the reality is they are highly likely to keep them off til after the feb half term) and instead have the schools open through the summer. I’ve NC to suggest this as I know many teachers will strongly object, but the gov could make it worth their while by paying them time and a half over time - it would be worth it as having the schools open would allow others to work and so boost the economy

Sorry I don't think that will help. Many tourist areas lost a lot of money last summer they need a decent turn of cash this year or you'll be killing thousands of jobs elsewhere.

Kids need their summer, and time to socialise with peers.

The best answer I have is get recruiting 10,000s of teachers and ensure that kids are given intense catch up programs, small groups. To ensure there's no gaps in knowledge.

We hear all the time about the numbers who leave teaching every year so get them re-recuited and get them back teaching.

@Bikingbear

Basically, just make NOW the long 6 week break (because the reality is they are highly likely to keep them off til after the feb half term) and instead have the schools open through the summer. I’ve NC to suggest this as I know many teachers will strongly object, but the gov could make it worth their while by paying them time and a half over time - it would be worth it as having the schools open would allow others to work and so boost the economy

Sorry I don't think that will help. Many tourist areas lost a lot of money last summer they need a decent turn of cash this year or you'll be killing thousands of jobs elsewhere.

Kids need their summer, and time to socialise with peers.

The best answer I have is get recruiting 10,000s of teachers and ensure that kids are given intense catch up programs, small groups. To ensure there's no gaps in knowledge.

We hear all the time about the numbers who leave teaching every year so get them re-recuited and get them back teaching.

Not sure where the UK will get tens of thousand of teachers from as those that left did so for a good reason.

Getting those in who have retired will possibly be disasterous as they are generally older and possibly more vulnerable. It is also extremely difficult to completely isolate yourself from the pupils/students in a classroom scenario.

There is no easy answer to this, but Johnson saying "Schools are safe" is simply a lie. I've had to self-isolate twice now as some parents send their children in when they are displaying symptoms.

We had a text at 5pm this Evening telling us 3 year groups at our primary will now be closed tomorrow due to staff following union advice.
Gotta be honest, I’m kinda relieved,but a lot of parents are furious at the short notice

Our primary has now closed so dd at home alongside her sister who's at secondary which is closed until January 18th- wasn't going to send her as she has asthma and a couple of underlying health conditions-isolated during the first lockdown but told this time she'd have to go back I think we need a harsher lockdown.

Not sure where the UK will get tens of thousand of teachers from as those that left did so for a good reason.

Many other industries that attracted teachers will be furloughed, on hold, redundant - get them back and sort the issues. Wave the outstanding student loans if they do 5 years teaching.
Long term reduction in class sizes.
Do something get them back

My facebook has about ten local schools that have called a closure over the last few hours. It's a bit of a lottery at this point.

What's wrong with this country. Australia successfully taught children by correspondence and radio without any of the amazing technology we have today and yet our lot can't manage without warehousing the kids in covid hothouses?

It is so obvious that children mixing will pass on the virus just as it is so obvious that public transport will allow the virus to spread.

Home schooling, with or without government support and home working as far as possible are the ways to go.

It is a horrible situation all round. I’m a teacher and we’re shut tomorrow due to staff following neu guidelines (which include myself). My dcs school is open (different tier) but I won’t be sending them in as I feel that would make me a total hypocrite!!
I honestly am at a loss. I have made a decision based on all the information I have read. I am gutted for the children I teach and their families but I am getting so frustrated now with the government fannying about.

We’ve just had a message to say our head teacher is protecting staff& kids and keeping school closed at least 2 weeks

@Speakeasy What's wrong with this country. Australia successfully taught children by correspondence and radio without any of the amazing technology we have today and yet our lot can't manage without warehousing the kids in covid hothouses?

I don’t know what era you’re talking about, but I presume it was an era when the norm was for women to stay at home. Working and juggling home school essentially means you are endlessly letting one of the other side down. It is not a great option for kids. I’m not saying send them back to school now. I see the numbers, and I’m in London so ours are shut already. But let’s not pretend this is approaching anything like satisfactory for children.

@Bikingbear Sorry I don't think that will help. Many tourist areas lost a lot of money last summer they need a decent turn of cash this year or you'll be killing thousands of jobs elsewhere.
Kids need their summer, and time to socialise with peers.

I would respond:

1. There is economic harm already - by requiring parents (mainly women) to work from home the next 6 to 8 wks while also home schooling. If kids are in school July-Aug that will mean a productivity boost as parents will be able to work additional days/hours
2. Surely you’re not saying the uk tourist industry is more important than kid’s education?
3. As long as Covid is still around, even uk tourism may be out
4. Not everyone has kids! I’m sure they will relish the ability to go to cornwall in Aug without having it crowded with school age kids
5. People will travel and spend (if allowed) at weekends
6. School is where kids can socialise with their peers!!

@ladyvimes

It is a horrible situation all round. I’m a teacher and we’re shut tomorrow due to staff following neu guidelines (which include myself). My dcs school is open (different tier) but I won’t be sending them in as I feel that would make me a total hypocrite!! I honestly am at a loss. I have made a decision based on all the information I have read. I am gutted for the children I teach and their families but I am getting so frustrated now with the government fannying about.

Don't take this wrong, as you have made your (right) decision, but this is part of the problem. The lack of consistency has led to uneven education for learners and disadvantages them.

I don't blame parents for not sending their children to school, as I am one myself, but it really does lead to a disparity in potential grades.

WFH for those learners self-isolating also appears to disadvantage those of a lower socio-economic status, at least form my own observations. The promised equipment to provide those who neeeded it hasn't really worked, possibly to a supply problem. Furthermore, I suspect that some of the learners will be pushed by their parents into other duties, such as childcare, as they will be handily present.

I consider this not as a failure of the education system, but one of very poor leadership from government.

The night before and the school announce they are closed tomorrow and Tuesday 🙄 why couldn’t they have just told us that a while ago. It’s the right decision, it’s just frustrating it’s always at the twelfth hour.

Our primary school in tier 3, is open from Tuesday, Monday is a training day for teachers.

I don’t think keeping schools closed is the right decision, though I wouldn’t fine parents who keep them off. The inequality gap in this country is huge. Lockdown widened it further and another lockdown will make it worse. It’s hard enough for parents in professional jobs who can work from home and afford enough devices, for families who have to go to work and don’t have the necessary technology, it’s impossible. We’ve had one sole case in our 200 pupil school so far. That child didn’t pass it to anyone else. Numbers would have to get much much worse before I’d think it was a smart balance of risk if they closed.

Teaching during summer won’t work. Teachers are highly unionised and they simply won’t do it. It’s not contractual so it would be impossible to force them. Many will have already booked holidays and want a break/time with their families.

Also, there were TEN deaths amongst kids May to June in the uk. So of course, keep your kids off if you have vulnerable family members and consider the risk of passing on infection (only really likely in tier 4 if in a bubble or break the rules) but keep the actual risk of harm to children in perspective.

Also, there were TEN deaths amongst kids May to June in the uk.

Which is totally irrelevant given a) most kids weren't back at school then and b) transmission levels and case numbers weren't through the roof astronomical like they are now

@TokyoSushi

Yes, I'd say they'll all be closed by the end of the month but likely before. Goodness knows until when. It's a complete nightmare for working parents but hopefully this will be the last time.

It’s all a total nightmare... I’m a teacher ... online learning is a nightmare for my school kids, for me and my own child.... it’s all a flipping nightmare and we could have been so much more prepared/organised if this govt would only listen to professionals inc scientists....

@Fallingrain

Also, there were TEN deaths amongst kids May to June in the uk. So of course, keep your kids off if you have vulnerable family members and consider the risk of passing on infection (only really likely in tier 4 if in a bubble or break the rules) but keep the actual risk of harm to children in perspective.

What about adults working in schools and the wider community?

I disagree March to June (typo) actually. The kids who were in school and mixing were the kids of key workers so at massively increased risk of contracting the virus. Look at any covid study (eg BMJ study published in August). The risk to children themselves is minimal. There is an argument about infecting others/transmission but not about children being seriously ill themselves.

@Yorkshiretolondon yes, that is certainly a concern and as I said, if the adults working in schools are vulnerable or if either have vulnerable people in their household, that is a very different scenario and I wouldn’t send my kid in. But I don’t think that keeping all children off to avoid transmission in a general sense is proportionate.

I really really hope they come to their senses and close the lot while they roll out vaccinations to give teachers and staff as well as NHS staff a fighting chance. Anything else will be a death sentence for many ...

Hopefully 🤞🏻