Email from Head - primary school will be open on Monday

[CloseSchoolsProtecttheNHS]

Just had an email from our head teacher 'reassuring' us that the (primary) school will be open as usual to all pupils on Monday morning. Personally, I find this far from reassuring in the middle of the worst part of a pandemic. We are in a county that borders London and rates are over 600 per 100,000.

I'm assuming the staff are either non NEU or have agreed to go in anyway? How can the Head be SO sure they'll open, as to actually write an email on a Saturday night saying so?

We are in a county in tier 4, but NOT on the list of primary closures and have also had an email from Head this evening confirming school opening on Monday as usual. I found her email very welcome and assuring and have sent back our earnest thanks and support suggestions in a few different ways and head has replied very very gratefully and warmly.

Older dc's secondary school has said they are going to start doing covid tests next week, have year 11 back the week after and everyone else back on the 18th. Younger dc's primary school haven't said anything yet.

I'm a peri music teacher and have been told to carry on visiting multiple schools as normal. Eek.

I personally think all schools should have a 2 week closure. ( And I say this as a year 11 parent. )

@phlebasconsidered

Well, all the staff at my school had a very pressuring email telling us to come in. I will go in because I don't have a choice but I am going to ask if I can at least wear a mask. We were told we are staying open until there are not enough staff left. So once we're all ill, we can close. Reassuring, isn't it?

What do you mean you don't have a choice?

The law applies to everyone. If your work environment isn't safe, you don't have to go in.

Our head text two days ago to say we'll be open as planned next week. We are Tier 4 Midlands.

@StacySoloman

I know you’re right, of course I do. I am worried about sending the letter in, I need to man up don’t I?

Two days is a long time ago! These Heads aren't actually going to know if they can open until tomorrow night or possibly Monday morning.

@elliejjtiny

Older dc's secondary school has said they are going to start doing covid tests next week, have year 11 back the week after and everyone else back on the 18th. Younger dc's primary school haven't said anything yet.

Thanks for sharing. That would change the game for me. We had no letter yet. This is Wales and she is not due back till the second Monday.

You understand the Headteacher doesn't get a say in whether they open the school or not?

If there are enough staff available they have to open.

It amazes me that people think head teachers control these things. They have to work with what the LA tells them.

@Panickingpavlova - if I were you I’d be wearing a mask (regardless of what anyone say you can or cannot do) and insist that the class all wear them as well.

I'm getting the impression that councils may step in tomorrow and there is some relutance to commit ahead of that. Or that Heads are still liasing with staff about whether they will be in. Or some schools have more union members wanting take action than others and have already made that clear to their head.

...I don't think a lot of teachers have decided what they are doing yet, never mind schools as a whole.

Either way, I am sure there will be widespread disparity in schools being open/closed on Monday. And even within schools.

The problem Heads have is that if they have 20 teachers, if 4 say they aren't coming in, then some parents could end up with some kids in school and some not.

I also think we might end up with a situation where schools do open Monday and then shut after action on Monday (whether it be legal or walk outs)

Tomorrow will be fun...

And this is why the government possibly will have no choice but to close schools for a week just to sort the entire clusterfuck out.

@Therarestone

Exactly so why have some sent messages out already on social media assuring parents the school is open?

It’s premature.

[quote Parker231]@Panickingpavlova - if I were you I’d be wearing a mask (regardless of what anyone say you can or cannot do) and insist that the class all wear them as well.[/quote]

I don't think she can insist the class wear them. I certainly don't want my primary aged Dc wearing a mask in class

I work during lunchtimes, only 2 days a week. I'm not a member of a union. Does this mean I just have to go in regardless.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD I BE SENDING CHILDREN INTO SCHOOLS ON MONDAY. IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT SAFE TO DO SO.

Do not for a second trust the government to have your child’s and your best interests. They will U turn and flip flop all over this and simply blush a little when they admit guilt once it goes tits up.

The unions are freaking out because of the extremely high risk to health of teachers and pupils. Schools are a massive part of the problem.

The fact the government is flip flopping over the vaccine distribution cycle is all smoke and mirrors for the wider disaster phase we are entering-

Covid, The second season, 2021

How can they possibly guarantee that?

Billy - why not - if your DC wear a mask it would help keep their teacher and classmates safer. In many countries it’s compulsory from kindergarten.

If folk aren't happy then just don't send the children to school. What's the problem. I doubt anyone will be prosecuted.

And if the staff aren’t happy @Viviennemary ?

@Edgeoftheledge

Passively aggressively letting their staff know it’s not acceptable for them to send that letter in 😉

Well that’s my guess anyway.

Terribly presumptuous.

@seldomfollowedit

Because the Learning authority have told them to. At the moment schools are due to open on Monday.

@Parker231 because Billy is a disrupter and only wants to protest by making his or hers children stand out

@Pissedoff1234

I work during lunchtimes, only 2 days a week. I'm not a member of a union. Does this mean I just have to go in regardless.

No - you have the same legal rights as everyone else. If your workplace is unsafe, don't go in.

But also, if you work with children you really need to join a union! What if a child or parent makes an allegation against you? You'd need legal support from a union.

I doubt we'd have support of our MP to close.

She won't stand up against BJ.

She supported Cummings 🤦🏼‍♀️

I've never been offered to join one and didn't realise I could. Is it something I do myself or through the school. I'm only a dinnerlady so we don't get the same info as everyone else.

If its been deemed unsafe for staff how can parents be fined for not sending their children?! Madness!