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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

So it looks like we're being prepared for children not to go back until after Easter

999 replies

choosingcrumble · 24/01/2021 08:59

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/children-face-months-at-home-as-schools-stay-shut-until-easter-wp5ltpm82?fbclid=IwAR1l0gRSzuJLIv508reRmBEojbYfoGOsWwe3_pBFmKpA4EbI1IgC5dKC2uE

I suspected it wouldn't be until then, let's just hope that it doesn't stretch into the summer.

OP posts:
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6
chloworm · 24/01/2021 17:27

In other words, life's too short. Grab opportunities while you can.

MarshaBradyo · 24/01/2021 17:28

@Monkeytennis97

Yes please email the school if there is too much work. Teachers are setting more now as a response to the complaints from the first time (and Gormless Gav breathing down our necks).
It won’t be the same if all dc

Some need more than last time

I think pp said they set more but are flexible with return

Cam77 · 24/01/2021 17:29

Some countries had proper teacher led online classes on going during lockdown. They were far from perfect. But at least they were “something” and freed up the parents time as well. We just haven’t really tried it seems. “Oh well just get on with it, here’s a couple of email attachments”.

Monkeytennis97 · 24/01/2021 17:30

@Cam77 I'm in this country, in a state secondary school. Myself and my colleagues all did live and recorded lessons in lockdown 1 and full live timetable now.

Cam77 · 24/01/2021 17:32

I for one am really grateful the government are taking things seriously this time, children certainly shouldn't be back before Easter, after that we might be lucky with the better weather and the vaccine well on the way.

They’ve always been strict enough on education. It’s keeping the restaurants and pubs open and “essential” highstreet Christmas shopping that has led to this level of mess. Obviously not forgetting useless (sorry “world beating”) track and trace and not testing /quarantining airport arrivals. That stuff hardly even worth mentioning now in the context of where we are.

Ihatefish · 24/01/2021 17:33

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

Totallydefeated

You don’t realise the severity of the pandemic because although you have mental challenges you were evidently not hospitalised or facing a much worse fate like others are. It is disrespectful to all those front line medics who are trying to save lives and under mental strain you would never appreciate nor understand. You don’t know what mental trauma is. A front line medic deciding how to prioritise limited life saving medical resources and yet you are asking for more. We don’t evidently have enough to fund healthcare so who is going to pay for all your nice to have extras?

Why is it always someone else’s problem ie looking towards a relatively incompetent government for leadership and direction. What are you yourself doing to protect your self and family? You will find charity starts at home and especially in a pandemic when everyone is suffering. Some more than others but it’s look towards yourself and do what you can. Nobody can help you more than yourself first. Your long term mental suffering is unfortunate collateral damage but many others have a worse fate than you. Many are dead or grieving. Think of those and everything seems less painful.

What a pile of rubbish -why don’t the people with dead elderly relatives who have lived their lives feel grateful, they could be living in Africa and lost multiple children.

Comparing people’s situations saying someone suffering mental stresses/illnesses should feel grateful because someone is worse Is one of the most idiotic things ever. On that basis, only one person in the history and future of mankind has the right to feel like they are suffering because only that one person can say that no one has it worse.

Guilt tripping people suffering mentally is despicable! Do you go round kicking a crutch away from people who have lost a leg whilst screeching “Stop moaning and be grateful you have one leg”.

Anyone who feels they are suffering mentally has the absolute right to be heard.

Monkeytennis97 · 24/01/2021 17:34

@MarshaBradyo any teacher worth their salt gives extension tasks to those that need more.

There is far to much pressure in the education system. Normally it's really only the teachers that see it with a bit for the parents at crunch times like SATS or gcses/11plus etc As a teacher I do everything in my power to lessen the pressure cooker that is the ultimate education system. This bloody system does more harm than good to parents, kids and teachers.

Monkeytennis97 · 24/01/2021 17:34

Uk not ultimate

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 24/01/2021 17:35

@Cam77 @Monkeytennis97
5 hours per day of live video lessons per day are pretty dreadful for kids too, tbh. Many teachers are also shit at these things - sorry - no shade, it's because it's very hard to do well, engagingly, really hard. As an adult I feel appalled at the idea of that volume of video meetings in a day, and I have the incentive of being paid.

marshmallowfluffy · 24/01/2021 17:35

Johnson never said it was back to school after half term. He said that the target was to vaccinate the first 4 groups by half term and they'd have immunity 2-3 weeks after. I think it's irresponsible of the government not to correct the assumption that many have made about kids returning after half term.

We know from the Xmas mixing fiasco that a lot can change in a month so I think it's fair not to announce whether March is a possibility. I think the next review is 15th Feb so if March is possible I think he'd give the 2 weeks notice then but it's hard to predict the hospitalization rates in 3 weeks time so we'll have to wait.

The 2 tier education is a serious problem but I can't see Johnson investing in any creative solutions since inequality and education are not on his government's radar.

faerin · 24/01/2021 17:36

How can in the space of nearly 3 weeks the government go from "Schools will open after half term", to "will get them back before Easter", to "we hope they can go back at Easter"...?!

How are parents and children expected to just live like this with this relentless mixed messaging?!

It is utterly irresponsible, crazy-making, and will give way to absolutely devestating consequences.

MarshaBradyo · 24/01/2021 17:38

[quote Monkeytennis97]@MarshaBradyo any teacher worth their salt gives extension tasks to those that need more.

There is far to much pressure in the education system. Normally it's really only the teachers that see it with a bit for the parents at crunch times like SATS or gcses/11plus etc As a teacher I do everything in my power to lessen the pressure cooker that is the ultimate education system. This bloody system does more harm than good to parents, kids and teachers.[/quote]
Monkey I’m sure. One thing I’m so grateful for right now is differentiation for ds yr6. Part of impact last time was not getting right level for him and we had to just do Oak different year group. This time he’s connected and challenged and mh is better.

But I’m very aware other dc will need something different.

noblegiraffe · 24/01/2021 17:39

How are parents and children expected to just live like this with this relentless mixed messaging?!

Tbf that’s how the DfE always have run education. Don’t forget exams were definitely going ahead as well.

Monkeytennis97 · 24/01/2021 17:39

@noblegiraffe

How are parents and children expected to just live like this with this relentless mixed messaging?!

Tbf that’s how the DfE always have run education. Don’t forget exams were definitely going ahead as well.

Exactly. I guess we are used to the endless gaslighting from the DfE as teachers.
IrishGirl2020 · 24/01/2021 17:41

My DS’s school has 30% of children back as do most other primary schools I know of - in fact some have up to 50%.
Given that these are the kids whose parents are more likely to be working out of the home and therefore more likely to be catching/transmitting Covid anyway I think letting the other 50-70% back is not as drastic as it first sounds. And is maybe possible sooner than April/May
But secondary schools I’m less confident about

Ihatefish · 24/01/2021 17:43

@ChimaeraEgg

It has it's place if used sensitively.

So not the way you used it then.

My friends uses it regularly as a therapist too.

If your friend is telling people they should be grateful they aren't dead or disabled from covid then they should not be a therapist.

Omg -if this friend is working with people with Mental Health problems he or she seriously needs to retrain before they are responsible for someone’s death, people need to feel heard not undermined.
cantkeepawayforever · 24/01/2021 17:44

@faerin

How can in the space of nearly 3 weeks the government go from "Schools will open after half term", to "will get them back before Easter", to "we hope they can go back at Easter"...?!

How are parents and children expected to just live like this with this relentless mixed messaging?!

It is utterly irresponsible, crazy-making, and will give way to absolutely devestating consequences.

How are teachers and schools meant to live with it?

We went from 'everyone in school' to 'everyone out, full time remote learning' in 12 hours in primary on January 4th / 5th. By comparison, the whole February / after Easter / maybe later thing is positively coherent.

MyDcAreMarvel · 24/01/2021 17:45

@IrishGirl2020 Given that these are the kids whose parents are more likely to be working out of the home and therefore more likely to be catching/transmitting Covid anyway I think letting the other 50-70% back is not as drastic as it first sounds.
So no thought given to the vulnerable parents of said children who are wfm.

cantkeepawayforever · 24/01/2021 17:46

@IrishGirl2020

My DS’s school has 30% of children back as do most other primary schools I know of - in fact some have up to 50%. Given that these are the kids whose parents are more likely to be working out of the home and therefore more likely to be catching/transmitting Covid anyway I think letting the other 50-70% back is not as drastic as it first sounds. And is maybe possible sooner than April/May But secondary schools I’m less confident about
I think you have to remember that it's not just the risk of a child bringing Covid in (and I know none of our 50% + children who are in who genuinely have 2 parents working out of home. Many have 2 wfh, or 1 wfh and a SAHP) but the risk of transmission.

16 children in a classroom / playground allows a LOT more SD than 33....

MyDcAreMarvel · 24/01/2021 17:47

@faerin the government never said pupils would go back after half term, that was always the minimum. Anyone who thought schools would be open for all after half term was delusional.

AriataBrown · 24/01/2021 17:47

Fucking hell
27 pages of the same fucking bullshit
On and on and on pretty much since last March
Thread after fucking thread
Quit your bitching and whining and accept schools will open when they open FFS

Everyone is having a shit time...some more than others
Your snowflakes will be fine
Go and do some artisan baking
Hmm

cantkeepawayforever · 24/01/2021 17:48

And I agree about children who are vulnerable, and vulnerable parents. Currently those children are protected and are getting the same education as their peers. If we have the rest of the class back in - not so much.

MarshaBradyo · 24/01/2021 17:48

@AriataBrown

Fucking hell 27 pages of the same fucking bullshit On and on and on pretty much since last March Thread after fucking thread Quit your bitching and whining and accept schools will open when they open FFS

Everyone is having a shit time...some more than others
Your snowflakes will be fine
Go and do some artisan baking
Hmm

🙄
starrynight19 · 24/01/2021 17:48

We went from 'everyone in school' to 'everyone out, full time remote learning' in 12 hours in primary on January 4th / 5th. By comparison, the whole February / after Easter / maybe later thing is positively coherent.

Yes it’s actually incredulous when you think about it. Boris on the Sunday morning saying schools were safe and would be open on Andrew Marrs then Monday evening saying they were vectors of transmission and would all be closed.

Dustyboots · 24/01/2021 17:49

I guess I'm partly thinking of myself really. I think schools are so very important (used to be a teacher) but if I see a fabulous term-time holiday deal in the post-Covid world, I'd be seriously tempted to take my children out. Never, ever would have before this. I know in the grand scheme of things that's a non-issue, but it's indicative of a subtle change in thinking. An avalanche of unauthorised absences could be building.

Last term I took my kids out much more than I would usually. We missed days where the lessons were crap or not their thing - to catch up on work that needed to be done more urgently.

I think parents will view attendance very differently from now on @chloworm