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.

@goldielockdown2

Our school has been priming us for closure since mid-October. Sending out hinting emails asking if all students had access to laptops/iPads etc. Found it sinister at the time....it's all adding up now.

Well you know, teachers have been telling you in black and white for months that the return as it was, was unsustainable. Your DC's school did not know what was coming but we should all have had a pretty clear idea. How is it a surprise that you put hundreds of young people in a cramped environment and then a known virus takes hold?

@MrsHamlet

You don't need to ballot for a section 44 walkout. It's not a strike.

I was replying to Irre specifically. Hadn't yet read the news about section 44.

@ineedaholidaynow

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?

No. Just the chance for my kids to carry on their education if at all possible. 3 local schools in my area.. 2 cases since September. So why should they shut down now?

Now this www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/02/government-faces-major-revolt-on-schools-reopening-in-england-over-covid-fears

SaltyAF I was merely answering the question in the OP.

@Lostinacloud

YES - all part of the plan.

They need to lockdown again because they have failed miserably to invest in the NHS and prepare for the inevitable worse than normal respiratory illness season. However, they know lockdown fatigue is setting in and many people are against any further disruption to education. So....

1. Right before Christmas, go all out on the media and with announcements about “record” case numbers and a “new” varient. Ramp up the fear so lockdown is complied with, especially over Christmas when people were even more keen to see family and friends.

1. Add in statements from Doctors and nurses talking about how any person daring to leave their house has “blood on their hands” and that the standard of care now being provided is less than the best. Sneak in titbits about how most new cases have actually been found in schools because the new varient looks like it spreads easier amongst children.

Everybody scared again? Most people staying at home again and questioning whether they should actually be sending their kids to school?

Great! Time for the next part of lockdown because ultimately nothing will work as fast as closing schools where large groups of people are together everyday.

1. Start by closing schools only in worst affected areas and wait for the dissatisfaction to grow in other areas who are still pissed off that the south seems to get treated more preferentially.

1. Start leaking more statements, this time from educators and teaching unions expressing their dismay that still some teachers are expected to return to work in such unsafe times.

Voila, everybody is convinced and they can make their “u-turn” on closing schools with very little opposition.

So obvious. We are all being played like puppets.

This

Teachers have been asking for proper dialogue with the DfE since June. It was obvious that with classroom sizes, ventilation, lack of staff and budget that we would end up here.
The Government refused to talk to Teachers , Unions and Kier Starmer.
They stonewalled everyone.

[quote FreekStar]@Timeturnerplease

Surely all schools have enough money for cleaning spray and a cloth? And what is stopping you wearing a mask if you wish?[/quote]
Are you serious???

I'm torn between the instinct that they can't possibly be that organised, and the feeling that they can't be this fucking stupid either.

@DahliaMacNamara

I'm torn between the instinct that they can't possibly be that organised, and the feeling that they can't be this fucking stupid either.

Same here.

I don't midn schools closing but my DS in Y11 would prefer if exmas still go ahead even with remote learning having to take place. Due to grade boundaries being adjusted the same proportion of pils would still get each grade and hopefully Covid will be better by May so exams should still logistically be able to take place like in November. Trade unions surely can't both back school closures and then say that because students haven't been in school, exams cannot take place. If exams don't go ahead this year then it may set a precedent of assessments not being exam based which is hard for children like my son who thrive under pressure with exams. Inequality has always been present in our education system so I'm not sure why people use the argument that it would be unfair if exams go ahead.

@callmeAngeline it is not the same because children in Cornwall still go to school, but children in London are not, so I meant one week holiday with parents is very bad, but weeks where some children get to learn and some dont is fine

No. Just the chance for my kids to carry on their education if at all possible. 3 local schools in my area.. 2 cases since September. So why should they shut down now?

It's not just about the rate in the actual kids is it? It's about spreading it back to families who then also spread it. Remember a lot of kids are asymptomatic. It's about reducing overall infection rates in the area.

The union is it's members though. If members won't take action, there isn't much the "union" can do. In many other professions there would have been walk outs and strikes by now.

The problem that unions have is that members often want them to swoop in a solve the problems. It the power of any union is in the collective action of its members. So if we do S44 walk out, individual teachers will have to do the letter and put their own name on it and send it to their head. But a lot won't, because they are scared.

@Crazydogmumma Are you joking? There is a whole section of DFE regulations stating that masks cannot be worn in primary. Cleaning budgets for the year in most schools by October half term. Cleaners have been let go. Teachers, TAs and PTAs are paying for antibacterial sprays, santiser and paper towels to cover shortages. School finances have been decimated since September, and not a penny extra has been provided.

Sorry tagged wrong person! @FreekStar

@kingat
but nothing is done to think how all those children will catch up

Catch up to what? Surely with the severity of disruption there is a new norm.

I agree! That’s why I was questioning the poster who thinks that all we need is ‘ a bottle of cleaning spray and a cloth’- such an ignorant assumption

@IEat

It won’t be all schools Special schools will be open, I work in one one and if there was a nuclear attack we’d still be open

I keep pointing this out and no one ever responds when I mention special schools.

@Skipsurvey

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

I assume because they don't trust parents to be honest with positives when child is asymptomatic?

And I have to say it is a risk imo. Not because I think parents are irresponsible but some parents really cannot afford to isolate whole family for someone not unwell.

@Timeturnerplease Masks can be worn in Primary schools if staff wish to wear them! I work in a primary school and many staff members are wearing masks and visors in classrooms, and the head has asked that all staff wear masks when in other areas of school outside of their bubble such as the staffroom or other communal areas. My school has had plenty of cleaning and sanitising products because it has been prioritised. If schools are not doing this then it has to be questioned why. Just because some schools are not providing cleaning doesn't mean this is the same for all.

Watching BBC parliament covid 19 committee currently.

Very interesting.

@MotherForker

The union is it's members though. If members won't take action, there isn't much the "union" can do. In many other professions there would have been walk outs and strikes by now.

The problem that unions have is that members often want them to swoop in a solve the problems. It the power of any union is in the collective action of its members. So if we do S44 walk out, individual teachers will have to do the letter and put their own name on it and send it to their head. But a lot won't, because they are scared.

You’re right- but no union has asked anything of its members other than engaging in risk assessments writing and going through an unenforceable checklist.

@Timeturnerplease Masks can be worn in Primary schools if staff wish to wear them! I work in a primary school and many staff members are wearing masks and visors in classrooms, and the head has asked that all staff wear masks when in other areas of school outside of their bubble such as the staffroom or other communal areas. My school has had plenty of cleaning and sanitising products because it has been prioritised. If schools are not doing this then it has to be questioned why. Just because some schools are not providing cleaning doesn't mean this is the same for all

Just because all schools can afford this doesn’t mean it’s the same for all.

Just because some schools haven’t had to pay a fortune to cover isolating/CEV staff doesn’t mean it’s the same for all.

I could go on.

[quote ByersRd]@kingat
but nothing is done to think how all those children will catch up

Catch up to what? Surely with the severity of disruption there is a new norm.

[/quote]
No, there are children who aren't particularly behind. Some schools did a fantastic job of guided home learning and pretty much covered everything they would have at school with a mixture of live lessons and set tasks. Teachers provided regular feedback. On the other hand, some schools set children a list of work or gave website links and left them to it. Some children did the work and others didn't or couldn't. I know many frustrated parents who were disappointed with provision from their schools but others who were really happy with it.