Headteacher unions begin legal proceedings against DfE

[Makingnumber2]

www.naht.org.uk/news-and-opinion/news/leadership-news/update-regarding-start-of-term-sent-to-members-on-2-jan-2021/?fbclid=IwAR3WFugSo-KsSToWAvbteMs8HspeXZTMBd9VaiOlAVxOeL0FM1wDRzqbviA

NAHT and ASCL start legal proceedings against DfE

WHO do not recommend face masks for under 12s in school as they can increase infection risk. England do not require face masks for under 11s, even for short periods of time, let alone hours.
I’m totally supportive of the unions on this, there does need to be a major review but it needs to be about more than being seen to be doing something. It needs to be evidence based and most of all impartial.

They really are unconscionable bellends aren't they?

Add thick to that and you have it spot on.

Schools aren't "open" at the moment.

We're trapped in a never-ending budget-bleeding cycle of isolation and supply teachers and distance learning and absolute shite for everyone.

It didn't have to be this way and it would be great if people would listen to teachers so that we CAN keep schools open.

Bagamoyo1

Massively unreasonable of them. They just need to get on with educating children and stop trying to shut schools down. Ridiculous.
If other key services made such a fuss we’d be in a terrible state.

It defies belief that so many people on mumsnet want schools to close, and sympathise with teachers who want to shut schools.

Just bonkers

I agree. It is vital that children, especially primary age, are in school. Not only for education purposes and childcare for those parents who work but also for those children who have unstable or abusive lives at home.

Why can't teachers appreciate they are key workers. Just as the NHS, food retail, police, social services, etc are. I dont get the need for all these threads. There are only 2 retail staff threads that I know of, staff even more at risk than teachers, there must be hundreds of teachers threads by now. They now take up half the coronavirus board. I dont get it.

A strike, or any kind of industrial action, would not get any sympathy from the public, the reverse infact. Why not just get on with their key worker job like everyone else.

@Hercwasonasnowball

Why can't there be the foresight to organise the schools testing and not the shambles it is at the moment.

Have you seen our government? Foresight does not exist.

Self performed foreplay is about the only fore they are experienced with.

Good. It wont be resolved by Monday but atleast we know now that schools also believe its unsafe. Its Easier to make own decissions now.

How are retail staff more at risk?

Things shops have that schools don't
-social distancing
-masks being worn

• adults that (generally) follow rules

-space -limited numbers of people allowed in

If you believe the press, apparently some ministers don’t agree schools are safe and argued for them to close.

Bagamoyo I believe you said you're a GP?

Are you letting patients wander in to the surgery freely and have the waiting room room if people side by side waiting for their appointment (usually half hour compared to whole day)?
Have you removed Perspex screens from the reception areas?

If not - why not?

@Hercwasonasnowball

How are retail staff more at risk?

Things shops have that schools don't
-social distancing
-masks being worn

• adults that (generally) follow rules

-space -limited numbers of people allowed in

Screens between staff and customers, screens between the tills to separate customers.

@bettbattenburg 😂😂

There are less people allowed at a time into my local Lidl than there are in my small classroom. And they all socially distance and aren't allowed in without a mask. The staff all have masks and screens and there's lots of sanitiser.

It's nicer there than in my classroom.

@Flaxmeadow

Bagamoyo1

Massively unreasonable of them. They just need to get on with educating children and stop trying to shut schools down. Ridiculous.
If other key services made such a fuss we’d be in a terrible state.

It defies belief that so many people on mumsnet want schools to close, and sympathise with teachers who want to shut schools.

Just bonkers

I agree. It is vital that children, especially primary age, are in school. Not only for education purposes and childcare for those parents who work but also for those children who have unstable or abusive lives at home.

Why can't teachers appreciate they are key workers. Just as the NHS, food retail, police, social services, etc are. I dont get the need for all these threads. There are only 2 retail staff threads that I know of, staff even more at risk than teachers, there must be hundreds of teachers threads by now. They now take up half the coronavirus board. I dont get it.

A strike, or any kind of industrial action, would not get any sympathy from the public, the reverse infact. Why not just get on with their key worker job like everyone else.

Some of these things literally cannot shut - hospitals obviously. All of then have covid measures in.

Staff and pupils in schools have few to no protections from the spread of covid.

I have been nowhere that is as crowded as a classroom since last February, when I was last in a busy pub. In this time, I have been to restaurants and pubs, which are now closed because its not possible for staff and patrons to stay covid safe. These are much, much more spaced out than classrooms.

The NEU's walkout is on the basis of section 44 - health and safety. Other industries could also organise walkouts on the same basis.

How are retail staff more at risk?

Things shops have that schools don't
-social distancing
-masks being worn
- adults that (generally) follow rules
-space
-limited numbers of people allowed in

Have you actually been in a supermarket lately?

None of what you say is even remotely happening in reality and back in spring, food retail staff just got on with it, before any kind of measures were attempted. Because they understood/understand one simple thing, that their role was a vital service and that they would continue to do it no matter what the circumstances

@RigaBalsam

Link says not available. Has it been deleted?

Not before I took a screenshot...

I wonder why it was deleted...

@phlebasconsidered

There are less people allowed at a time into my local Lidl than there are in my small classroom. And they all socially distance and aren't allowed in without a mask. The staff all have masks and screens and there's lots of sanitiser.

It's nicer there than in my classroom.

Yep. It's depressing seeing the signs in shops saying 5 people allowed, when the space bigger than my classroom.

As a parent I support this.

My daughters education has been messed around with (not so much my sons due to the freedoms the leadership team of his FE college has had, not afforded to schools.

I believe her education and mental health has been disrupted due to a complete disregard for common sense and safety measures.

I don’t support primary schools closing. In do support parents not being fined if they decide to keep children home.

These children are not at an age where they can work independently, stay engaged in zoom lessons, be motivated by endless worksheets. They need to be in school in order to learn. Some will have parents with the ability to turn home schooling into a fantastic, child-cantered, enriching experience. Most will not.

If the virus was still rampant after a proper shut down of ALL non essential things - I mean garden centres, shops that don’t have 90% of their shelves dedicated to food, coffee shops etc. - then that’s when we should shut schools.

Whilst people can still wander around the garden centre browsing bedding plants and discounted Christmas decorations, nip to a homewares shop (allowed to open because it stocks a few multipacks of crisps) to choose a new duvet cover, then go and queue indoors for a latte, we have a skewed idea of what is ‘essential.’

It is NOT the season to go shoulder to shoulder and face to face to learn. Online learning is not equal or as good as face to face... but its the best bet IN THIS SITUATION.

Got it?

@Flaxmeadow

How are retail staff more at risk?

Things shops have that schools don't
-social distancing
-masks being worn
- adults that (generally) follow rules
-space
-limited numbers of people allowed in

Have you actually been in a supermarket lately?

None of what you say is even remotely happening in reality and back in spring, food retail staff just got on with it, before any kind of measures were attempted. Because they understood/understand one simple thing, that their role was a vital service and that they would continue to do it no matter what the circumstances

I accept retail is not ideal and many are not following the rules but nowhere have I seen a shop where you squish 30 shoppers in a smallish room and make the employee face then for an hour with no masks.

Schools are not safe.

Sorry meant to quote this in my prev message.

It’s also not just about the teachers. (Though I do want teachers to be safe too)

It’s about education. The way things have been handled so far has been hugely detrimental to education unless you are lucky to be in an area that has had very low rates so far. Poor year 11 at my local school have been playing the Hokey Cokey at school last term. More out than in.

Ahh.. forget it.. the "quote" isnt working , bug.

I think its prob unfair to state shops are safe a local one to me has had a large outbreak amongst staff and I know of others who have a fair few off
Supermarkets are not all being run like march and people do think masks make them invisible
So its unfair to say to supermarket workers you are totally safe , the reality is no one is
Prison officers , police officers are often working with no ppe and with people who don't appreciate space or hygenie etc
This isn't to say I don't think schools should be closed but it should also be recognised that many professions are working in risky conditions in a pandemic there are few jobs that will carry zero risk
Its gone round offices with sd and masks on place as well