Am I missing the point here...

[kookykins]

I'm going to try and make this as measured as I can and try not to make it come across like a torrent of frustration.

Why is it that teachers are getting to say when schools go back? Why does it feel like teachers are constantly complaining about the virus? No one is an ideal situation right now so why does it feel like they are being allowed to 'opt out' of their careers now times are tough.

I work in a busy NHS hospital and It honestly sickens and saddens me that there are men and women, many parents relying on schools to open, relying on their children's education being properly resumed next week they are giving life saving treatment in dire situations every day. I haven't heard them complaining about having to come in and save lives work extra hours and a lot on low pay.

Teachers to an extent have chosen a career to support teach and mentor our children I feel when the going has got touch (very tough fair enough) they are opting out...however many of these teachers will expect ITU nurses to treat someone in their family who happens to get ill with this virus. How can this be? How is this ok?

I have friends who are teachers who don't feel like this and who want to get back to work but are very much being pulled along by the union so I don't want to paint all teachers with the same brush...

What happens to the children who need to go back to school, who need that hot meal that support that escape? Do they not matter?

Surely the children of this country are a higher priority right now?
Teachers and unions are being given insane amounts of power right now and I don't understand it. If we are all meant to 'be in it together' then why aren't we all cracking on like the next person and getting on with our jobs because we realise the impact if we don't...

Rant over...

Just to add, I wholeheartedly agree that keywords children should be in school. It is easier to spread them out when there are less children in a class.

@ofgavin

I see your OFSTED lady has come out to talk common sense

Get a grip teachers, if you need to isolate because your vulnerable do it, if your fit and well - bank on the horse with you

Really? From this woman? She is a manager with business interests! Yes. Common sense

With no vested interests.
Come teach in my school with children breathing on you.
Risks? What risks

They trot her put every time.

Out

@Fortherosesjoni70 as has been mentioned why don't you come and work on a mental health ward and have patients spitting at you and man handling you...no risks there either apparently...and sometimes the ppe comes away when these situations happen

kookykins My child and many others have been let down massively by the NHS and it’s staff during this pandemic so there you go.

I still think school staff deserve the same level of safety as other work sectors.

Teachers and unions are being given insane amounts of power right now and I don't understand it. If we are all meant to 'be in it together' then why aren't we all cracking on like the next person and getting on with our jobs because we realise the impact if we don't...
I know what the impact is if I don't teach my students. But the point is that safer schools are safer for everyone, not just me.

We asked for rotas. We asked for students to be given tech (some of which was promised and then not delivered). We asked for regular testing for students and staff. We asked for a firebreak closure.
What was got was "schools are safe".
Teacher and our unions have very little power but you'll have to forgive us if we want better for ourselves and the kids we teach.

Of course the Ofsted lady is a business leader, that's why she sees it for what it is, they chose something without hysterical emotives

@Subordinateclause

Pregnant NHS staff are sent home from 28 weeks, rightly so. Pregnant teachers are expected to work to the end, even in a class of 30 non-socially distanced infants. Teachers also don't get paid for any extra shifts they do. I actually agree the NHS staff have it worse and will be teaching my class as normal on Monday, but don't pretend things are all wonderful for teachers. Oh, and every teacher in my school has said they will be in on Monday so definitely not the case that we are choosing not to be in.

That's bollox! I manage a team in the NHS, one of my pregnant staff worked until she was ready to drop...her choice. I also worked until I was 35 weeks pregnant. That was pre Covid but my colleague was recent.

A question for teachers who are parents. Whilst you are doing live lessons at home 9-3, where will your children be? Particularly interested in responses from those with young primary school aged children.

@ofgavin
Anyone working in food processing, distribution, retail, NHS...
Employers in workplaces you mention are supposed to ensure they operate under Covid secure guidelines as far as possible. When outbreaks occur because this hasn’t been adhered to, for example in factories, there is a big outcry about the working conditions. Yet when there are big outbreaks in schools you seem to think that that should be viewed as normal and they should just crack on. And due to the current situation this means that this is not only a threat to people in schools (and I include children in this group) but to society as a whole.

You're more likely to have a poor outcome from driving to school in the morning.

@Hotcuppatea not that old chestnut again.

WFH as hoards of NHS staff do.

I got an email from foster sons school saying school opening on 5th as planned. Staff would be wearing PPE. At his special secondary children arrive in unused and taxis wearing masks, all staff and all students attending school have all worn masks all day in corridors and classrooms. Only take masks off for outdoor PE and outdoor break, have windows fully opened in classrooms and children told to wear base layers and jogging suits for warmth. In corridors they wear vizors too. Children wash hands under supervision on entering school and hand gel is filled out twice each morning and once after lunch. My niece attends a normal state secondary she says everyone wears masks on bus to school and at school, students and teachers inside school at all times. She said teachers occasionally take them off at beginning of lesson to issue instruct ions when they are at front of class then put them back on again. If these schools are taking sensible precautions other schools should do the same. My 2 sons go to work delivering good to supermarkets and buy their own PPE which is really just a face mask, antiviral wipes and hand gel. I don't understand why teachers can't do the same. I am not being goady I just keep reading posts from teachers saying they are not allowed to wear a mask (to protect children). Who stops you? Why can't you? I am an early retired secondary teacher and can't see why teachers can't wear them. In foster sons school 5 children either can't/won't wear them or are CEV and are home learning. Being taught by 1 teacher who is CEV.

@Nikhedonia

A question for teachers who are parents. Whilst you are doing live lessons at home 9-3, where will your children be? Particularly interested in responses from those with young primary school aged children.

At home, getting on with their work or sat in front of a screen if they can’t manage without help from me or their father. We’ll both be teaching remotely in different areas of our house, the kids working in their bedrooms. The kids will still be in front of screens whilst we are continuing to work before 9 and after 3, and we’ll carry on after the kids are in bed. Why do you ask?

Because I didn't want to cause ruffles on the other thread discussing it and be accused of more 'teacher bashing' as I saw teachers and staff in schools stating they are sending their children in under 'key worker' status.

And also to see if teachers had a better idea of how to entertain/effectively teach small children whilst still working!

I am not being goady I just keep reading posts from teachers saying they are not allowed to wear a mask (to protect children). Who stops you? Why can't you? I am an early retired secondary teacher and can't see why teachers can't wear them.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education/face-coverings-in-education

As a recently retired teacher, I’m sure you remember how some schools have differing amounts of funding and surplus budgets. I’m also sure you won’t have forgotten how some headteachers and academy chief executives don’t feel able to go against explicit government advice that masks are not needed and can hinder teaching and learning, even if there is no evidence to support such a view and quite a lot to show that masks can offer mitigation to virus transmission.

I don't understand why teachers can't do the same. I am not being goady I just keep reading posts from teachers saying they are not allowed to wear a mask (to protect children). Who stops you? Why can't you?
Because the guidance from the DfE specifically says that mask wearing in class would damage education. Many heads have taken this as the letter of the law and forbidden it. Wearing a mask in class then become an issue of misconduct.

@Nikhedonia

Because I didn't want to cause ruffles on the other thread discussing it and be accused of more 'teacher bashing' as I saw teachers and staff in schools stating they are sending their children in under 'key worker' status.

Teachers are perfectly entitled to a kw place if they meet the criteria, just like anyone else so it does seem like you are being a little provocative in your question. Saying you don’t want to be accused of teacher bashing doesn’t mean that’s not your intention.

that mask wearing in class would damage education.

I'm sure closing schools damages education more... and there was me thinking headteachers might actually be clever.

I am absolutely aghast that teachers could be prevented from wearing the PPE of their choice (a hazmat suit might be a bit much though)

Teachers are perfectly entitled to a kw place if they meet the criteria, just like anyone else so it does seem like you are being a little provocative in your question. Saying you don’t want to be accused of teacher bashing doesn’t mean that’s not your intention.

Teachers who are working from home should not be allowed key worker status. I'm glad to see that LA's have been clamping down on that this time around.

and there was me thinking headteachers might actually be clever.

Or possibly worried about liability if they don’t follow government guidance.