Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

I really thought there was going to be a primaries U-turn today

184 replies

Flower2021 · 03/01/2021 15:05

For once I am astonished that the government has made a decision and stuck to it!

(I mean, it’s the wrong decision, but still.)

OP posts:
Smile3 · 03/01/2021 16:30

My kids school has just emailed they are closing too!

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 03/01/2021 16:32

DS's school have mailed to say vulnerable and critical workers only tomorrow. I wasn't sending him in anyway but at least I am not risking being fined.

2020out · 03/01/2021 16:32

@ihatefacemasks

The government are taking the unions on head to head. There is a court hearing tomorrow.

RedskyAtnight · 03/01/2021 16:33

It's surely only SAHP and those who work from home that are keen for schools to close? Everyone else is wondering how on earth they will manage childcare. Particularly as it looks like schools are being more strict on what consitutes a key worker, and only allowing children to take key worker places if they don't have a non key worker parent.

Blubellsarebells · 03/01/2021 16:36

Im on furlough so wont be sending mine in.
I can't go back to work until this is under control.

Bleuch · 03/01/2021 16:37

At least two thirds of my DC special needs school have decided to send their children in next week. I am really surprised. In March they asked how many would be sending their children in (as special schools operate as normal in lockdowns and are obliged to stay open for all children if need be). A lot said they would send them in then, but they asked everyone to reconsider and only send them in if absolutely necessary (both parents key workers) which reduced it to a lot less. This time they are respecting everyone's decisions whatever they are. I must say I am surprised that in a really bad tier 4 area (just about the worst) so many people are happy for their kids to go in.

LadyCatStark · 03/01/2021 16:38

Give them chance... it’s aaaaages til 9am!

CantSayJack · 03/01/2021 16:38

If your children’s school is open then send your children in, if you don’t want to send your children in then don’t.
Not everyone wants schools to remain closed, not everyone has the luxury of wfh.
What about supermarket workers? They have no choice but to go to work or lose their job, imagine if all supermarket staff refused to go to work? Same for anyone in a keyworker role. Teachers are not the only ones at risk.
Also, it would have helped if they actually taught instead of letting children do next to nothing in the run-up to Christmas, haven’t they missed enough already? The so-called online learning at our school was abysmal during first lockdown too.

Gobbeldegook · 03/01/2021 16:41

I've had primary school closures email. There's a few in my town closed. Waiting to hear about the secondary school.

Lovemusic33 · 03/01/2021 16:43

If teachers don’t turn up to work tomorrow then they will be forced to do a U turn. Luckily my dd has inset day tomorrow, I’m still hoping something happens tomorrow to delay school returns but I won’t hold my breath. What I will be angry about is if we send them back to school and then within days there’s a U turn and then then have to explain to dd (ASD) that she now can’t go in. They keep leaving these things till the last second, messing with people.

OhDear2200 · 03/01/2021 16:49

@RedskyAtnight

It's surely only SAHP and those who work from home that are keen for schools to close? Everyone else is wondering how on earth they will manage childcare. Particularly as it looks like schools are being more strict on what consitutes a key worker, and only allowing children to take key worker places if they don't have a non key worker parent.
Absolutely. Even though I WAH, I have a SEND child and a 7 yr old. Neither can homeschool themselves. I work in a very stressful job requiring constant video calls.

The only way I did it last time was my kids watching too much TV. I’m not happy for that to happen again.

ihatefacemasks · 03/01/2021 16:54

@Lovemusic33

If teachers don’t turn up to work tomorrow then they will be forced to do a U turn. Luckily my dd has inset day tomorrow, I’m still hoping something happens tomorrow to delay school returns but I won’t hold my breath. What I will be angry about is if we send them back to school and then within days there’s a U turn and then then have to explain to dd (ASD) that she now can’t go in. They keep leaving these things till the last second, messing with people.
I think that if they don't turn up for work tomorrow, and don't have health-related reasons not to work in that setting, they should be dismissed (or, perhaps, put on indefinite unpaid leave), and their jobs should be given to people who are willing to do them.
Jetatyeovilaerodrome · 03/01/2021 16:55

I think that if they don't turn up for work tomorrow, and don't have health-related reasons not to work in that setting, they should be dismissed (or, perhaps, put on indefinite unpaid leave), and their jobs should be given to people who are willing to do them.

And who would that be then? 😂😂😂

ihatefacemasks · 03/01/2021 16:57

People who stopped teaching because they couldn't bear the unionisation and politicisation of the profession? People who stopped teaching because political correctness became more important than anything else?

That is to say: former teachers.

Lovemusic33 · 03/01/2021 16:59

Yes, sack all the teachers that don’t turn up 😐, who cares about their safety, who cares that they are not being prioritised for a vaccine? They are in their rites to not go in and I fully support them if they make that choice as do many people.

itsgettingweird · 03/01/2021 17:01

@Bitbusyattheminute

And high schools would be a lot safer if kids actually did as they were told. You're pretty powerless as a teacher as it is, but repeatedly being ignored by kids when you ask them, politely, to put masks on, has made me so angry.
I've often thought schools need to update behaviour policies to reflect this.

My ds college made them sign something when they went back in September and our cases were 20/100k to say if they broke covid rules they accept they are in breach of behaviour policy and their place at the college could be terminated.

Harsh - but impressed!

user127819 · 03/01/2021 17:02

I think there still will be a u-turn, but not until schools have been open a few days and more damage has been done.

MarshaBradyo · 03/01/2021 17:03

They don’t have to atm as schools will close if enough NEU staff don’t come in

Letseatgrandma · 03/01/2021 17:03

People who stopped teaching because they couldn't bear the unionisation and politicisation of the profession? People who stopped teaching because political correctness became more important than anything else?

I’m sure all those older ex-teachers would come flooding back.

Not.

itsgettingweird · 03/01/2021 17:04

Our local secondary and 6th form HT sent an amazing message at end of term about testing and returning on 11th.

All but said the government didn't know their arse from their elbow and he's sure throughout the Christmas break he'd receive updates which he would pass on as they arrive.

rosesinmygarden · 03/01/2021 17:05

@ihatefacemasks

People who stopped teaching because they couldn't bear the unionisation and politicisation of the profession? People who stopped teaching because political correctness became more important than anything else?

That is to say: former teachers.

I'm a former teacher. I wouldn't take a job in a school right now even if you paid me a million pounds.

I now do a job where I'm thanked for my efforts, feel safe at work and am not constantly being told I must do better.

lazylump72 · 03/01/2021 17:06

my dds primary in teir 3 have emailed saying open and return as usual but they may have to reassess if the teachers decide to not go in...will they or wont they? who knows we shall suck it and see but reckon there willbe some more announcements after tomorrows hearings...

itsgettingweird · 03/01/2021 17:10

Wow at schools taking the move to close.

This government have not listened to scientists or public for a majority of this and it seems now they have lost total control Shock

Right now I can't work out if that's a good or bad thing. Probably in a democratic way of governments not being able to get away with lies or suppressing data it's good. I often thought we've been losing too much democracy and people forget our government works for us and not the other way around.

Kazzyhoward · 03/01/2021 17:13

@Jetatyeovilaerodrome

I think that if they don't turn up for work tomorrow, and don't have health-related reasons not to work in that setting, they should be dismissed (or, perhaps, put on indefinite unpaid leave), and their jobs should be given to people who are willing to do them.

And who would that be then? 😂😂😂

Lots of people have lost their jobs/businesses recently, so there'll be plenty of people, many well educated, who'd jump at the chance of a secure job like teaching.
SophieB100 · 03/01/2021 17:13

Our infants school down the road is closing. The Junior School (which shares the same site and many of the facilities) is opening.
Norfolk.