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?

I am in a tier 4 county and the area I live in has schools open and the area I work in house schools closed. These areas have children moving from one to any other for schooling as there is only 5 miles between two main towns. It makes no sense to split counties like this- the same issue with crossing the London’s boroughs hat was changed

Heads are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Half the country baying for blood if they close and the other half blaming them for staying open when they have to do what they are told (last minute) by the government. So glad I'm not SLT at the moment.

@Pissedoff1234

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.

You don't get invited to join a union, it's something you have to choose for yourself. You probably want Unison - they have a website.

@MotherOfSuburbia

Heads are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Half the country baying for blood if they close and the other half blaming them for staying open when they have to do what they are told (last minute) by the government. So glad I'm not SLT at the moment.

Not up to heads either though.

If a significant number of their staff follow their union lead, how does the head open the school?

The most they can do is lean heavily on staff one way or another.

@Beebityboo

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

Realistically I can't see parents being fined.

Billyandtedmum. I don’t want my Dc wearing mask in school. Why not, do you want to help keep schools open or closed.don’t you care about your child’s teacher. This is why we are in this shitshow.

Naively I am shocked that HTs are pressurising teachers to go in even though the unions say don’t. I really hope our school don’t make that stance and only open if staff and council are supportive. Twitter suggests andy Burnham will be on tv first with the GM stance.
Where’s Gavin? Useless tool

@happystone

Billyandtedmum. I don’t want my Dc wearing mask in school. Why not, do you want to help keep schools open or closed.don’t you care about your child’s teacher. This is why we are in this shitshow.

My DC are 5 and 7 they will not be wearing a mask in class.

I assume they just want to let you know what is happening. Heads can't just choose to keep the school closed can they?

Well I’m fully expecting my school and my children’s schools to be open on Monday.

Maybe I’m deluded.

@SatsumasOrClementines

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 ?

If staff are not happy then give your job up. If I wasn't happy to go into work then I wouldn't get paid.

Billy - their age is irrelevant. If children in other countries can do it without complaint to keep everyone safe, why can’t yours?

Perhaps it should become a condition of the schools reopening, that masks are compulsory.

I think they Will close but it should be optional.

@BrutusMcDogface

Well I’m fully expecting my school and my children’s schools to be open on Monday.

Maybe I’m deluded.

Optimistic, certainly!

I don’t understand why all primary schools are not closing. Ours is and we only have 600 per 100k in our borough in London. Other tier 4 places with higher ratios

My primary is shut Monday for a PD day, that at least gives them a little bit of breathing space.

Pun really was not intended.

@Parker231

Billy - their age is irrelevant. If children in other countries can do it without complaint to keep everyone safe, why can’t yours?

Perhaps it should become a condition of the schools reopening, that masks are compulsory.

Of course age is relevant. Don't be silly calling for it to be compulsory.

I've had enough of this for one night, I'm logging off....

Well I’m ever the optimist! Actually- I’m an ostrich. Head in the sand.

We had a text a couple of days ago confirming our return; the head of my kids’ school sent an email saying the same.

We are in a tier 4 area, though!

As of today we have 3 staff members positive with Covid or family members positive. This all stems from an outbreak at the end of last term. That added to some staff that may refuse to go in might mean we close. Tier 4.

I work for an Indy primary. We've sent a comm to parents saying we expect to be be open on Tuesday but things are changing rapidly and therefore will update them if things change. Our Head has sent a very good email saying same to staff and asking us to reach out if we have concerns - which I read as tell us quickly if you might not want to work without actually inviting such a response. Email to parents also included a disclaimer about changing timetable if staff pressures. We already have one staff member missing due to COVID death in their family and another isolating. We are in a Tier 4 area adjoining 2 London boroughs and both staff and parents are twitchy. I think anything could happen before Tuesday so trying not to get too excited...

Well now its been declared that school isn't safe, the buck has to stop somewhere.
Legally who is responsible for everyone's safety in each school in the first instance?

Heads have been asked to get legal advice about this issue... Saying its safe having had sick staff or someone becomes very unwell would be massive legal minefield.

Heads also have more power than teachers.

Tomorrows Daily Telegraph is reporting that Brighton and Hove Council have pulled primaries returning independantly of the government telling them to. I doubt they will be alone.

Liverpool Council and MPs seem to be under pressure and Manchester Councils and Andy Burnham are all refusing to comment tonight. Remember they both pulled the reopening of schools in June for a week/two weeks at the last minute.

I think its councils not central government that you need to watch most tomorrow.

@Benjispruce2

As of today we have 3 staff members positive with Covid or family members positive. This all stems from an outbreak at the end of last term. That added to some staff that may refuse to go in might mean we close. Tier 4.

This can happen anywhere though. 4 members of my family have covid which come from myself and my work, I work at the hospital. We can't all shut down though

@BrutusMcDogface

Well I’m ever the optimist! Actually- I’m an ostrich. Head in the sand.

We had a text a couple of days ago confirming our return; the head of my kids’ school sent an email saying the same.

We are in a tier 4 area, though!

I'm in a Tier 3 area and our numbers are quite low, but it's really going to depend on - how many members of staff follow union advice tomorrow and refuse to return (and it won't take that many to close the school) OR whether the local authority instructs schools to close OR whether the government is forced into a u-turn.

My prediction is more local authorities will advise schools to close tomorrow, Monday will see some schools open and some shut (possibly first thing in the morning when it becomes clear staff aren't coming in), and by Wednesday the Government will decide to "delay" school reopening from the following Monday until 18th.