Boris to make imminent announcement on schools, any guesses?!

[Adviceneededalways]

Do we think an extension delaying opening or is he going to try and get children back in sooner...

I have to say I think the latter would be a fucking disaster but I wouldn’t be at all surprised...

@Adviceneededalways

Do we think an extension delaying opening or is he going to try and get children back in sooner...

I have to say I think the latter would be a fucking disaster but I wouldn’t be at all surprised...

It’s a no win situation. I am a teacher but hope children are back in school as soon as possible. The gap caused by differences in remote learning provision (much of it due to unequal access to technology to facilitate learning) and the impact on some children’s mental health is going to cause long-term issues. I worry that some children will struggle to catch up. As a teacher, I am not sure how much longer I can sustain up to six hours a day of online teaching – it is exhausting and takes far longer to prepare. There needs to be a move to make schools safer so that children can return.

If they announce year 11 and 13 are returning but not 10 and 12 that will just show how clueless this governement is. They have cancelled exams for 11 and 13 however the 10s and 12s should be in the middle of covering the syllabus for their exams for next year.

Yes -vaccinate teachers. Won’t stop the spread to teacher’s hone though. Are families of teachers to be vaccinated to? And parents of children attending schools? Vaccinations still mean spread between households is possible.

I want schools open, but not not not if they have to shut again in 3 months as infection rates were never low enough when they were reopened and if it means treatment for other conditions by the nhs are halted in order for it to happen

Keir Starmer has said vaccinate teachers over half term and reopen schools

The first sensible thing he’s said!

@MrsFogi

If they announce year 11 and 13 are returning but not 10 and 12 that will just show how clueless this governement is. They have cancelled exams for 11 and 13 however the 10s and 12s should be in the middle of covering the syllabus for their exams for next year.

They are trying to press ahead with classroom assessments for gcse and a levels

I hope it isn't schools reopening normally to any group! I am happy to have half the class in at a time and all children on a rota but if it's full classes, I won't be going in anymore.

Typical mine are years 2,3,5 and 10 haha

@MrsFogi

If they announce year 11 and 13 are returning but not 10 and 12 that will just show how clueless this governement is. They have cancelled exams for 11 and 13 however the 10s and 12s should be in the middle of covering the syllabus for their exams for next year.

Teachers haven't written Yrs 11 and 13 off even if you have. They still deserve to complete their education and to be allowed to demonstrate what they can do for their teacher assessed grades.

If you care about transmission to anyone other than teachers, then vaccinating teachers is no good. The number of teachers getting ill has never been the problem (for the nation - obvs a huge problem for teachers). The problem with open schools is the children transmitting it to each other and then the community. This will definitely happen again if schools reopen with numbers so high. If you are happy with that fair enough, but people are despairing of our 100,000 deaths and this is the way to go to increase it.

@dietcokeandchill

Yes -vaccinate teachers. Won’t stop the spread to teacher’s hone though. Are families of teachers to be vaccinated to? And parents of children attending schools? Vaccinations still mean spread between households is possible.

I want schools open, but not not not if they have to shut again in 3 months as infection rates were never low enough when they were reopened and if it means treatment for other conditions by the nhs are halted in order for it to happen

Even if they vaccinate teachers, as you say to don't stop the spread to families.

Aren't people being told to wait a couple of weeks anyway. So it won't be straight after half term.

What is the rush! 100k are dead, yes, but, let's open schools! 100s/1000s children passing, public transport, new variants. Yes get them open..... not.

Easter for secondary Feb 1/2 term for primary is my guess..

How would vaccinating over half term help if the vaccine takes three weeks to work?

Completely agree. It is utterly insane that anyone is suggesting sending schools back any time soon.

I just hope whatever he announces that there is an actual plan in place and not just everyone back as normal with open doors and windows as protection in classrooms.

Sorry that should have quoted your post, @itispersonal !

Why not Y5 of whom some will be doing 11+

Errr... because nobody gives a shit about 11+

@MiaMarshmallows

Opening them after half term. All teachers and support staff to be vaccinated over the half term holiday. I hope.

Vaccinating school staff isn't the magic solution unfortunately.

A) we don't know yet it prevents transmission or even lowers it
B) it takes 3 weeks to get any protection so week after half term won't change anything and
C) the most important one. Vaccinating school staff will protect them. Not the transmission within schools and back into the communities.

I hope they look at blended learning and rotas. Perhaps a weekly session of sports per class outside for social engagement and interaction and fitness.

Yes that’s what I’m saying - vaccinate the teachers but it won’t stop the spread. I want schools open for everyone mental health but it is not anywhere near the right time to be open with the appalling rates of infection still so high - I totally agree with you

Years 10 and 12 left to muddle their way through then, they also have exams that are time critical.

Primary schools to reopen after half term.
Or the Key worker status to be scaled back. Something needs to be done, at present it’s nothing more than a two tier system.

@GetTheDebtGoneIn2021

Why not Y5 of whom some will be doing 11+

Errr... because nobody gives a shit about 11+

Mine did 11+ last year, no allowances given then, 11+ is very regional and won't be given a consideration at all

@TheRaccoon

Sorry that should have quoted your post, *@itispersonal* !

👍

11+ doesn't exist in my area.

Enhanced Covid safety measures for children and staff?

Theonlylivingboyinnewcross - that's what they did last year. Wrote off year 11s, then caused panic and anxiety in the days leading up to results. My daughter didn't get a fair shot at all, got what needed but it wasn't fair. All 4 top years should go back in.