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Original poster

Primary schools back sooner than expected?

760 replies

deeplybaffled · 26/01/2021 07:58

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!

OP posts:
drspouse · 05/02/2021 13:05

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

We've closed more bubbles in January (with fewer than 10 children in each bubble) than we did in term 2.
But with almost the same number of teachers in.
WarriorN · 05/02/2021 13:15

We've had more actual cases within school in the first 5 weeks of term than we had in the whole of the autumn term, and we had a big spike from September onwards in this area. More symptomatic children. Rates actually lower now than the big peak in Nov. But don't seem to be coming further down weirdly.

We are as open as we were last term as we are sen.

I'm glad we are now doing LFT even though they're not that accurate.

WarriorN · 05/02/2021 13:17

World at one just had someone discussing the likely hood of phased return in schools when they can return. Didn't elaborate on which year groups.

HauntedPencil · 05/02/2021 15:58

Wales have confirmed foundation phase back on 22nd - Scotland are doing the same so that might be the way they go

drspouse · 05/02/2021 16:29

Boris usually copies Nicola.

3littlewords · 05/02/2021 16:47

@drspouse

Boris usually copies Nicola.
Are Nicola or Mark having any secondary pupils back? Also have they made any changes or are the pupils/teachers back under the same circumstances as before?
HauntedPencil · 05/02/2021 19:29

Nicola mentioned some that might need to be in for practical work

Timeturnerplease · 05/02/2021 21:52

If they are, then the government have five days to tell schools so they can prep before half term. Takes days of work to change from online to remote and vice versa.

I’m sure the media will know weeks before us what’s actually going to happen so we’ll find out soon.

Mudmudingloriousmud · 05/02/2021 21:53

I can't see the sense in rushing it until nos get incredibly low and Millons more are vaccinated and we have the weather on our side?

Nicknamegoeshere · 05/02/2021 22:22

#Mudmudingloriousmud Because for some parents having kids at home is a major inconvenience and they'd rather risk their kids / school staff getting Covid than wait until it's safer.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 05/02/2021 22:29

@Nicknamegoeshere

#Mudmudingloriousmud Because for some parents having kids at home is a major inconvenience and they'd rather risk their kids / school staff getting Covid than wait until it's safer.
And some parents have of are on the verge of losing their jobs because employers want their employees working not homeschooling and parenting.

And some kids are falling behind on their education and social skills because of the lack of face to face education and social interaction.

And some parents and kids are struggling with their mental health.

Your assertion that parents just can't be bothered to parent and don't care about the risks is rude and shows a complete lack of empathy for anyone who doesn't live and think like you.

Nicknamegoeshere · 05/02/2021 22:29

Sorry I meant @ (baby on boob!)

LilyPond2 · 05/02/2021 22:36

@3littlewords From what I've seen on the news, schools in Wales are only having 3-7 year olds back at first.

PADH · 05/02/2021 22:38

@halfshrunkmoretogo
Well said.

3littlewords · 05/02/2021 22:40

@Mudmudingloriousmud

I can't see the sense in rushing it until nos get incredibly low and Millons more are vaccinated and we have the weather on our side?
But the rate we are going millions more will have been vaccinated, the weather should be slightly better and cases lower if it continues to decline the way it is currently, by the 8th March.
3littlewords · 05/02/2021 22:41

[quote PADH]@halfshrunkmoretogo
Well said.[/quote]
Yep well said 👏

higglepiggley · 05/02/2021 22:44

I really hope my child can start to go back on March 8.

Nicknamegoeshere · 05/02/2021 23:16

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo Hence the use of the word "some" i.e. not all.
I've three kids at home - a 10 and a 13 yo (both with additional needs) and an 8 month-old baby. It really is extremely tough. I'm on my own as hubby is a CW who cannot WFH. I don't know any other mums with babies.
But I don't feel it appropriate to send my kids in. It's not safe for them or the school staff. It's not right to put my parents (mum in remission from cancer) or my young baby at increased risk either.
Yes it's very difficult indeed but we should all be doing our best to reduce transmission.

Bing12 · 05/02/2021 23:46

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@HalfShrunkMoreToGo Hence the use of the word "some" i.e. not all.
I've three kids at home - a 10 and a 13 yo (both with additional needs) and an 8 month-old baby. It really is extremely tough. I'm on my own as hubby is a CW who cannot WFH. I don't know any other mums with babies.
But I don't feel it appropriate to send my kids in. It's not safe for them or the school staff. It's not right to put my parents (mum in remission from cancer) or my young baby at increased risk either.
Yes it's very difficult indeed but we should all be doing our best to reduce transmission.[/quote]
Well said. I’m going to be so hacked if we mess this up again.

3littlewords · 06/02/2021 00:00

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@HalfShrunkMoreToGo Hence the use of the word "some" i.e. not all.
I've three kids at home - a 10 and a 13 yo (both with additional needs) and an 8 month-old baby. It really is extremely tough. I'm on my own as hubby is a CW who cannot WFH. I don't know any other mums with babies.
But I don't feel it appropriate to send my kids in. It's not safe for them or the school staff. It's not right to put my parents (mum in remission from cancer) or my young baby at increased risk either.
Yes it's very difficult indeed but we should all be doing our best to reduce transmission.[/quote]
If you can keep everyone at home a little bit longer then great good for you, but appreciate that not everyone is in your circumstances and able to do that for many different reasons, the most least likely of those reasons being that the dc are an inconvenience or parents cant be bothered.

Nicknamegoeshere · 06/02/2021 00:05

@3littlewords Whilst I fully appreciate that, there are definitely parents out there who are bursting to send back their kids simply because "it's easier" / they are having to help with home learning.
Just as there are still people shopping in couples because "it's easier" / their husband gets the wrong food.

3littlewords · 06/02/2021 00:15

@Nicknamegoeshere oh come on your comment was on par with a "teacher just can't be arsed to teach " comment. Both absolutely ludicrous and said with spite to cause a reaction, which you got. Well done 👏

Nicknamegoeshere · 06/02/2021 00:19

@3littlewords Who said that about teachers?
You cannot get away from the fact that some people do act like this. They don't want to be inconvenienced and want to just continue living their lives like it was pre-pandemic.

Wafflewife · 06/02/2021 01:27

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@3littlewords Who said that about teachers?
You cannot get away from the fact that some people do act like this. They don't want to be inconvenienced and want to just continue living their lives like it was pre-pandemic.[/quote]
Very true.

3littlewords · 06/02/2021 10:32

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@3littlewords Who said that about teachers?
You cannot get away from the fact that some people do act like this. They don't want to be inconvenienced and want to just continue living their lives like it was pre-pandemic.[/quote]
No one has said that about teachers, on this thread anyway, I meant your comment was the equivalent of those such comments we have seen in the past on other threads. Choosing to highlight and make an example of a small minority rather than the more true to life majority

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