When do you predict primary schools will reopen?

[felicitywishdoll]

Just interested, there doesn’t appear to be any general consensus on this? I’ve seen some say after Feb half term but I’m doubting that.

I think it went alongside community numbers. We are a London Border school with one shut one not (so one was London) with the Surrey side at a higher rate - it was I think 700 odd on Sunday when it happened it is now 1000.

Clearly unsafe. But if the numbers drop down (London is already I think showing signs for having reached it case peak) over the next 6-8 weeks to levels where they worked previously I am not sure how that works.

The union was right to do it at THAT point in time. Where the case numbers were rising to horrific levels. If (and it is if) it starts dropping back to where we were in November it is a different story and harder to argue.

I don't think they'll open back this school year.

I'm still bitter about last year. Have no idea why schools couldn't reopen last May/June when rates were so low?

Literally feels like no one gives a shit about our children.

@formerbabe

I don't think they'll open back this school year.

I'm still bitter about last year. Have no idea why schools couldn't reopen last May/June when rates were so low?

Literally feels like no one gives a shit about our children.

I hear you.... and I think we're all a bit battle weary. But why do you think they won't be back this year? It's nearly 3 months earlier in the year than they closed last year and we have a vaccine that's increasingly well underway. I'm also skeptical about how fast they'll manage the rollout but surely all this points to a return being much quicker than last year?

@delta1
I know but I remember last March having the same conversation and everyone asking when they'll be back and no one thought the schools would remain shut for most until September. I want them back asap...my DD is really struggling

I know but I remember last March having the same conversation and everyone asking when they'll be back and no one thought the schools would remain shut for most until September. I want them back asap...my DD is really struggling

I thought everyone thought they'd be closed til after the summer holidays? We were told that was the most likely case by the government at the point they closed the schools (Scotland). I don't think this closure will be even longer than the last though as there is the vaccine and testing now

After April / May half term

I remember people thinking they'd be closed for a month perhaps or would reopen after the May half term...no one thought it would be September and to be honest, it didn't have to be. Rates were low in May/june.

Hopefully government have more of a rocket behind them now they can see the harm closing them does

Hopefully government have more of a rocket behind them now they can see the harm closing them does

But there's just as much of a "rocket" arguing that vulnerable kids aren't vulnerable based on who knows what, and the CMO has still failed to acknowledge in public any harm from lockdowns. If he actually discussed the harm lockdown caused in a balanced way that described the costs and benefits of the treatment I'd be more hopeful.

But too many politicians are also now firmly in the grab the votes of the pensioners 'cos they're the only ones who vote, that their views are unduly weighted.

@MarshaBradyo

Hopefully government have more of a rocket behind them now they can see the harm closing them does

Yep I really think they will. Plus all the other variables that are in our favour this time. My gut feel is a partial reopening to some years after Feb half term. Rest to follow gradually.

Whitty has acknowledged harm from lockdown? Certainly from closing schools.

That was to Sir

I don’t quite get the idea that harm from lockdown hasn’t been acknowledged. Perhaps it should be highlighted more I agree as it seems that not everyone is hearing it.

Literally nobody knows, people saying I work in a school and were not expecting everyone back untill June. You dont know!
I work in a school. We dont know, nobody does

I would live to find a discussion from Whitty on say the damage due to lack of physical fitness from lockdown, the added weight from lockdown calorie expenditure reduction? I have tried, but the current UK covid advice still links to the CMO's advice on exercise on how to stay fit during coronavirus, it does say it's important, but it also says the ways to do it are swimming, team sport, with others, the gym, exercise groups.

At no point has he provided any information on the harm caused by the medical intervention that is lockdown. He obviously knows, and has hinted on it in why shielding isn't recommended etc., and the law is generally pretty good on allowing things where possible, but the narrative he uses is always that lockdowns cause no health damage other than mental health.

They are impressing much more than last time they will be the priority

Sir I can’t recall what the messaging was on it but yes I’d welcome that too. For sure.

Yes exactly hauntedpencil - at the moment it is clear that the first thing to be released will be education. Which means if we genuinely think its September we will be in a 9 month lockdown.

At the moment the rhetoric is schools are safe they are just a vector for transmission at a time of high community spread. They have been v careful to push the schools are still safe

Personally I think March/April numbers would naturally be lower anyway.

I remember people thinking they'd be closed for a month perhaps or would reopen after the May half term...no one thought it would be September

It was after May half-term for Reception and Year 1. Others should have reopened much sooner than they did. A lot of primaries didn’t get older children back in until September, which was disgraceful, damaging and needless.

@formerbabe

I remember people thinking they'd be closed for a month perhaps or would reopen after the May half term...no one thought it would be September and to be honest, it didn't have to be. Rates were low in May/june.

Mine were in Reception and Year 2 and both went back in June (part time).

Probably after Easter Hols - fingers crossed. Although after May half term might be more realistic