Primary schools back sooner than expected?

[deeplybaffled]

It’s hard to know what to believe, but PHE now seem to be suggesting that primary schools can safely return after half term - which seems to contradict all other recent reports and government comments
focussing around Easter!

[ThePricklySheep]

It’s here,

Outbreak criteria
Two or more test-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among individuals associated with a specific non-residential setting with illness onset dates within 14 days, and one of:

identified direct exposure between at least 2 of the test-confirmed cases in that setting (for example under one metre face to face, or spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres) during the infectious period of one of the cases
when there is no sustained local community transmission - absence of an alternative source of infection outside the setting for the initially identified cases

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-epidemiological-definitions-of-outbreaks-and-clusters/covid-19-epidemiological-definitions-of-outbreaks-and-clusters-in-particular-settings

[glitterelf]

Nothing has changed in schools though to make them safer no extra funding and no proper support. It also doesn't help that lots of parents won't get their children tested who are clearly displaying symptoms instead opting to just isolate but then that leaves bubbles open who've potentially mixed with a positive case.
It's everyone's responsibility to do all they can to reduce the risks and the government need to support parental choices not threaten them with fines.
Go back to last year and class sizes were meant to be reduced numbers then look at September full class sizes and look where we are now. I don't want to send my child back and end up in this situation again I'd rather a slower staggered pace but understand that others want / need to go back as quickly as possible, everyone's circumstances are different.

[Monkeytennis97]

@Delatron

Another program on BBC 5Live this morning about children’s mental health. Great that there’s so much noise about this at the moment. It puts pressure on for a plan if nothing else.

But what if it just puts pressure on and panic mode happens ie let them all back ASAP without a 'plan' because this is sadly what I think will happen. There needs to be a safe strategy now not reactionary measures which will jeopardize the efficacy of the vaccine programme etc

[MynephewR]

@Trumplosttheelection

Kids need education. It's going to be time to suck it up. They will vaccinate who they can and rely on the normal improvement in hospital admissions that comes with spring. However any nhs bid would tell them that happens April onwards, not in March so March will probably be a rocky month but still.

Agree. At some point they are going to have to start prioritising children a bit in all this. We've got almost 4 weeks until the next half term starts, things are already looking much better and will (hopefully) look very good then. But yes, I agree, March will be a tricky month.

[tatutata]

God I hope so.

[Becca7910]

The primary school I work in had to close due to so many staff getting it, children had it too. I really hope they don't send us back without any measures in place to make things safer.
I have children who are desperately missing school too, so I do understand why parents want them back. It's a very difficult situation.

[Monkeytennis97]

@MynephewR and if they are all sent back in March then April/May is going to be even more tricky.

[BubblyBarbara]

But I dont think anything has been done to make classrooms safer has it?

There is no doubt in my mind that schools are safe, it’s just the mixing that happens there

[OliveTree75]

@Delatron

I hope so. The balance has tipped and what we are doing to our children is a travesty.

Lots and lots yesterday on the radio/news/tv about children’s mental health and the impact of schools closing. So I was hoping something would happen. Just a plan would be good.

They said two weeks notice though so would need to announce soon.

Yes, i noticed alot of chat on news yesterday about children's mental health as a result of school closures.

[takingthebiscuits]

NEU Teaching Union are supposed to be making an announcement tonight - speculation that this is going to be a ballot for a strike?

[Notthis2]

In Ireland it could be 2030 depending on unions deeming it safe or not..

[Abraxan]

@BubblyBarbara

But I dont think anything has been done to make classrooms safer has it?

There is no doubt in my mind that schools are safe, it’s just the mixing that happens there

Yes, I agree. School buildings themselves are probably just as safe as any other building.

Now how to stop the mixing? And the close contact? Hmm.

[TheSultanofPingu]

All this talk of schools opening after the Easter break, then primaries opening after half term are very confusing and unhelpful to parents.
Mine are older now, but I can imagine how stressful it must be.

[Monkeytennis97]

@takingthebiscuits

NEU Teaching Union are supposed to be making an announcement tonight - speculation that this is going to be a ballot for a strike?

Eh? I'm in the NEU. Not heard anything about strike action since about 2014/5....

[MillieEpple]

We recieved our lateral flow tests at our primary school last week. For staff testing. I think it will help.i know they arent 100% accurate but if a few staff get early notice we can close to stop further spread so school wont be such a big transmitter.
They are early - we were told they come in time for easter.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Well, arent you a bit of a dick

I was going to say that ...

[Delatron]

It’s time to prioritise children. They have suffered enough.

If they could even get back for a few weeks. Then the nature break for Easter. Then we’re in to warmer weather and far further ahead in the vaccination program.

Keep everything else closed until then. We won’t have the silly eat out to help out or pubs open like last year when schools were still closed.

[Delatron]

Natural break

[ineedaholidaynow]

@TheSultanofPingu as a school governor I can tell you it is very confusing, unhelpful and stressful for schools too.

[MarshaBradyo]

@takingthebiscuits

NEU Teaching Union are supposed to be making an announcement tonight - speculation that this is going to be a ballot for a strike?

Hope not

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Virtual covid wasn't my issue.
My very very real issue was real covid.
The hospital were quite sure it most likely came to me via school

Abraxan - I am so sorry to hear this and even more so that some are so dismissing and trivialising of very real threats to others.

[Monkeytennis97]

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Well, arent you a bit of a dick

I was going to say that ...

So was I.

[takingthebiscuits]

@Monkeytennis97 doesn’t say what it is but there is a Zoom at 6pm, maybe another section 44? Or something else!