Are we being primed for all schools to close next week?

[Lemons1571]

All I can see on Sky News and the BBC is that the “teaching unions are telling the government that all schools must be closed NOW”. Don’t usually see the media reporting this unless the government want to get us used to the idea.

skippetyskoo you asked what was the government’s process for deciding which tier 4 schools should close. As far as I can see, the DFE weren’t even sharing the process by which they selected which schools they publicly announced would close in Tier 4 hotspots on 30 Dec, with local authorities who asked them for this information, according to this London local Authority: www.haringey.gov.uk/news/returning-primary-school-statement-leader-and-deputy-leader

The DFE system (whatever it is) didn’t make much sense when you have some higher infection rates in tier 4 areas which Gavin Williamson said should keep primary schools open in, compared to hotspot areas he said that they were closing with that announcement, due to dangerously high infection rates.

Then on 1 Jan we hear all London schools to close (although returning on 4 Jan virtually) leaving working parents even less time to scrabble for arrangements to help their kids be safely supervised and able to join in with online learning.
I get it completely how evidence changes and government should respond but it seems really shocking how they apparently wouldn’t share the advice that they were working to to decide where the hotspots were that needed school closures.

Why be so adversarial with local authorities? The Tories devolved public health off to local authorities with Andrew Lansleys health reforms, so you would think they would be listening to local public health leads and working collaboratively.. ?
Then before Christmas they threatened some London areas with high rates who wanted to close schools in last week of term with legal action if they did it. It’s unbelievable to be politically pulling rank like that against local councils at a time of crisis for children’s education and public health.

I reckon the government wants to close them (sage have told them they have to unless they want everything to go completely tits up) but they're too invested now the whole schools are safe bollocks. They want the unions to blame, they've not got any power to do it though, I think it's 2 months notice they have to give to call for a strike?

For those mentioning colour photocopying that costs 10x the cost of non colour photocopying (I am that sad to know this!) It all adds up when you have zero/deficit budget.

I really hope not. Our school was unaffected so far and cases in this area are no higher than November. If schools close I think it should only be part of a full scale lockdown (not saying that's necessary). It would be ridiculous if their school shut but I could take them into town shopping next week for non essential things.

If they are going to lockdown, they need to get a move on and do it now for all areas - before we lose the advantage of closed schools over Christmas.

Closing individual sectors and areas won't work because people are travelling for work, childcare and other essential journeys.

Does it seem like NEU are preparing to instruct members not to teach in person next week? Seems like industrial action is brewing. Hope all neu members get on the meeting this weekend to show solidarity and stand up for their colleagues and the children in their care.

@ineedaholidaynow

For those mentioning colour photocopying that costs 10x the cost of non colour photocopying (I am that sad to know this!) It all adds up when you have zero/deficit budget.

That was me. As I said those who are brave enough to copy in colour must have a death wish. It's a small thing, but definitely has an impact on an already none existent budget.

For those saying your rates are very low at the moment so shouldn’t shut schools. Do you want the rates to rise really high then shut schools?

@Thislittlefinger123

I really hope not. Our school was unaffected so far and cases in this area are no higher than November. If schools close I think it should only be part of a full scale lockdown (not saying that's necessary). It would be ridiculous if their school shut but I could take them into town shopping next week for non essential things.

But I guess that's why we have Tiers.

We're a Tier 4 area (West Mids) and our rates are shocking. It would be insanity for schools to return in this climate. Our huge local hospital is full to capacity with ambulances queuing up for hours outside. Any further pressure on it would be catastrophic.

But I can understand why people would want Tier 3 schools to stay open.

why cant the children take their lateral flow tests home for their parents to assist with?

If they do close schools l I will be sending mine in as we're critical workers. I didn't make use of this last lockdown but certainly do so this time. I am not killing myself to do shift work with dh so we can home educate. I am sure there are many in the same position as us this time round.

@Macaroni46

As a primary teacher in a tier 4 area who is currently due in school on Monday I'd just like some notice of what I'm doing next week, so I can, you know, plan! Teaching online is very different to face to face and requires different preparation. Takes a lot of time to sort; it is not a case of simply moving existing plans online. A lot of my next week lessons are practical based which obviously wouldn't translate to online. Where possible, we try to avoid worksheets. I teach 5 year olds and moving lessons online for them is far from ideal but can be done given preparation time. I also believe that where possible young children need to be in school as their learning is so much more than lessons. So much of it is about social learning, sharing, turn taking etc and of course, they need adult supervision to access the online lessons set which is very hard to juggle for so many parents. Also, teaching is specialised. If every parent could do it, we wouldn't bother having schools. Don't really know what I'm waffling on about really! I suppose what I'm saying is: make a decision, stick with it and give us time to prepare. Please! This flip flopping around between are we open or not is really stressing me out (although we do remain open anyway to KW children and vulnerable so there's still a risk!)

Yep, if my dc aren't in school they really are getting a crap substitute for a real teacher. I'm useless at 'homeschooling.' I have a huge admiration for teachers, especially after first lockdown.

Also, the worst thing that could happen is for the Government to ignore the mounting pressure and keep schools open no matter
what. The phrase about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face comes to mind...

If children go in en masse in a matter of days, it's too late. The virus will run rampant. It's no good going a u-turn once the damage is done, they need to make a bloody decision NOW!!

OP, perhaps it is getting reported because it is a quiet news day in general, and because of the U turn over London primary schools.

I don't think we are bring primed incidentally.

@Tinseltrauma

My daughter is a secondary school teacher. Planned return was 11th January anyway with the school having been selected for mass testing. She was told yesterday that the students will now return on the 12th. Teachers will be in on 11th in order to organise for testing of the whole school which will be done ASAP when the students return. They will then continue to test, track, isolate etc on a bubble basis. This seems very sensible to me or am I missing something?

Well...for a start the tests being used (lateral flow) have a 50% false negative rate so there will be 50% of positive cases still in school thinking they're negative.

Yes, the teaching unions are going to meet to talk. If you are working Monday morning, then it might be a precaution to arrange alternative child care if you are not a keyworker or work from home with your employer.

Does it seem like NEU are preparing to instruct members not to teach in person next week?

Doubt it will make any difference if they do, teachers tend to do what their headteacher tells them to do, not the union.

I am living in tier 3 but my dc go to school over the county border in tier 4...so could be faced with the unusual prospect of being able to take dd to her swimming lesson as usual, but her not be at school .

I personally think it needs to be all or nothing - either all the schools close AND everyone is put in lockdown, or it needs to be all tier 4 and school closures need to be part of tier 4 restrictions.

I don't have any DC so no 'skin in the game' but I really feel for those of you who are teachers or TAs.

It definitely feels like you've been thoroughly shafted through this whole thing on multiple fronts.

@hedgehogger1

I reckon the government wants to close them (sage have told them they have to unless they want everything to go completely tits up) but they're too invested now the whole schools are safe bollocks. They want the unions to blame, they've not got any power to do it though, I think it's 2 months notice they have to give to call for a strike?

Totally agree. They want to close but they want to make people think that the Teachers Unions/ “Lefty” Councils have forced them into it. I can see right through this. They can’t be accountable for anything.

@EmmanuelleMakro

teachers will start getting ill or being signed off for stress How about parents trying to do full time work and homeschool getting signed off from stress except that most are re in jobs where that is not an option. Everyone is stressed! Your fear of Covid does not trump another person’s fear of losing their job and home. Mental health issues seem to be dismissed unless it is a teacher and then we hear ‘get yourself signed off, lovely [sic -yes that is a typical epithet) I am a teacher and despair of the lack of awareness of the reality by some of the teachers who post on here (often in flocks parroting each other).Among my colleagues we accept it is a rubbish situation and that whining never makes anything better. If the job isn’t to your liking and you cannot or don’t want to adapt then resign! We often hear that threat but teachers are not resigning in droves -look at the applicant numbers for every post advertised on TES.

Just as my health is no-one else's concern, I'm no longer able to concern myself about other people's arrangements. My own have been badly impacted too.

My attitude is a direct result not arsey posts like yours. The public has shown time and time again that they so not give a monkeys about the health of school staff (or supermarket staff or drivers).

If they close I hope some financial compensation is given to parents who have to give up work or take unpaid leave.

Does it seem like NEU are preparing to instruct members not to teach in person next week? Seems like industrial action is brewing. Hope all neu members get on the meeting this weekend to show solidarity and stand up for their colleagues and the children in their care

I hope the NEU don't do this, not because I think teachers should be in school but because it gives the government and the public someone to blame.
Blame the teachers, blame the unions when it is the government who should be forced to take the difficult decisions.

The only thing confusing me is why people are so suprised and are still not tentatively planning to provide childcare if the schools do close. We know it could happen any minute, why aren't parents preparing just in case?

@chloworm

If they close I hope some financial compensation is given to parents who have to give up work or take unpaid leave.

Unlikely. I am a teacher myself but my DH has had to take unpaid leave. Again, no-ome cares when it's us so I'm not sure why we should be putting ourselves at high risk.