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Original poster

Announcement on Scottish schools tomorrow

74 replies

Kaylasmum49 · 01/02/2021 19:05

Anyone from Scotland got any ideas on what might happen with schools going back in Scotland? Nicola Sturgeon is to be making an announcement tomorrow. I know my 17 year old would be delighted if they go back soon as she works better in the school environment.

Wonder how safe it will be!

OP posts:
Peppafrig · 01/02/2021 20:01

This is exactly what she said today

“ Now in addition to that, and most importantly, tomorrow’s review will also consider schools and early years provision - and will set out our most up to date thinking on how and when we might be able to start to resume in-person learning and childcare. Obviously all of us want to do that just as soon as possible.

I will also provide information on some expanded arrangements for testing in those settings”

Original poster
Kaylasmum49 · 01/02/2021 20:06

So iwonder when that might be. My dd is worried that she won't get back at all a d this is her final year. She has missed so much, no exams last year or this year, the prom, the show that they were to put on for drama. I feel so sad for her.

OP posts:
GoldenOmber · 01/02/2021 20:06

'Our most up to date thinking about how and when we might be able to start' is not filling me with much confidence that anybody's going back mid-Feb. But I'll cling on to hope anyway.

I could cope if it's at least it's some kind of plan, where they go back when cases go below a certain level or something like that. I am getting fairly fed up with not having any idea what they're aiming for. Fine all right, cases need to be lower, but do they mean 1000 cases a day? 100? 10? Surely they've come up with some kind of criteria by now?

Peppafrig · 01/02/2021 20:35

@GoldenOmber

'Our most up to date thinking about how and when we might be able to start' is not filling me with much confidence that anybody's going back mid-Feb. But I'll cling on to hope anyway.

I could cope if it's at least it's some kind of plan, where they go back when cases go below a certain level or something like that. I am getting fairly fed up with not having any idea what they're aiming for. Fine all right, cases need to be lower, but do they mean 1000 cases a day? 100? 10? Surely they've come up with some kind of criteria by now?

It doesn’t fill me with confidence either .
MogOnFoxNightAgain · 01/02/2021 20:39

I couldn’t read much in to what NS said today. But I’m spending tonight trying to enjoy the last bit of hope I have that at least one of my kids (P2, P5, S1) might go back after Feb half term. At this point anything at all will be a start (and if it’s P1s only to begin with - am I too late to defer my young P2?! Wink)

PufferFishGoneWrong · 01/02/2021 20:52

I think it's a dream in the far fucking distance that she would actually not bloody extend it for god knows how long.

Super fed up!!!

I really hope at least nurseries go back in 2 weeks, but it's probably just a mirage that's being dangled. I would actually be surprised if it's anything more.

My 12y is like a zombie compared to what he used to be like.

raviolidreaming · 01/02/2021 21:43

Alwaysandforeverhere - 'Wrong thread ignore me'

It still worked Grin

Lockdownbear · 01/02/2021 23:34

That statement isn't even filling me with hope for nursery Sad

GoldenOmber · 02/02/2021 00:04

Yeah I’m not feeling optimistic about nursery, even though England’s got nurseries open and still has falling cases. But maybe that’s just me feeling gloomy.

I’m just so tired. Mine are nursery and early primary age and we’re trying to do our full-time jobs around home learning and stopping the toddler climbing the fridge or whatever else he’s trying to get into. Just want to see some kind of plan and some glimmer of hope to get out of this. Sad

GintyMcGinty · 02/02/2021 00:14

I'm worried it will be Easter.

God I hope not.

But if it is she'll need to postpone the elections and she won't want to do that.

ParkheadParadise · 02/02/2021 00:26

Fingers Crossed for mid-Feb/early March. After that, I hope we never hear the word homeschooling again.

LucyLockdown · 02/02/2021 01:53

I know that parents find it hard to work with little kids underfoot, but I don't think testing small children regularly is very ethical. Seems quite traumatic to me. Surely if we really care about the kids, we should want them home with their parents, not in school with a giant swab down their throats on the regular? Confused

Anyway, since Scotland has been beyond awful at rolling out the vaccine (lowest day EVER today) I doubt they'll be able to justify schools going back anytime soon.

YerAWizardHarry · 02/02/2021 02:21

I'm really struggling to say how P1 would work? My placement class is an open plan unit with 75 P1s doing open plan/free flow/play based learning. We had one child test positive and 75 kids and 8 members of staff had to isolate for 2 weeks.. I can't see how it can be done safely in these kinds of settings

Lockdownbear · 02/02/2021 02:52

I know that parents find it hard to work with little kids underfoot, but I don't think testing small children regularly is very ethical. Seems quite traumatic to me. Surely if we really care about the kids, we should want them home with their parents, not in school with a giant swab down their throats on the regular?

Surely not! Swabbing little kids is horrible enough when you think they might have the virus.

I'd like to see the risk assessments for it for both the staff and the child. Do they think little kids who don't really understand will happily open their mouths? They might do it the first time, second time will be a struggle.
How do they propose to do it without risk of injury to the staff or the children? Don't underestimate the strength of a 3 or 4 year old. Someone is bound to end up getting hurt by a child kicking off.

And your right about the trauma, kids will end up refusing to go to nursery. But that will be the parents fault and problem.

Lockdownbear · 02/02/2021 02:56

@YerAWizardHarry

I'm really struggling to say how P1 would work? My placement class is an open plan unit with 75 P1s doing open plan/free flow/play based learning. We had one child test positive and 75 kids and 8 members of staff had to isolate for 2 weeks.. I can't see how it can be done safely in these kinds of settings
I think simply you can't allow so many kids to mix. Divide them up into 3 classes.

My sons nursery divided the kids up so there was less risk to both children and staff.

DumplingsAndStew · 02/02/2021 08:08

@LucyLockdown

giant swab down their throats

This is the kind of unnecessary hyperbole that scares people against being tested when needed.

NoAprilFool · 02/02/2021 08:26

@LucyLockdown

I know that parents find it hard to work with little kids underfoot, but I don't think testing small children regularly is very ethical. Seems quite traumatic to me. Surely if we really care about the kids, we should want them home with their parents, not in school with a giant swab down their throats on the regular? Confused

Anyway, since Scotland has been beyond awful at rolling out the vaccine (lowest day EVER today) I doubt they'll be able to justify schools going back anytime soon.

Why would they be swabbed? All regular asymptomatic testing in other workplaces is done by the PCR (?) tests, the spit ones. My 7 year old would find it hilarious to be allowed to spit at school - certainly less traumatic than being at home with two working parents and no siblings.
Hibernatingnation · 02/02/2021 08:48

My 12y is like a zombie compared to what he used to be like.

Mine too. I'm a single parent and work out of the home, feel like I'm totally failing him. If schools aren't opening this month I think I'm going to have to give up my job Sad

Lockdownbear · 02/02/2021 08:52

NoAprilFool I didn't know about different types of tests either but how are you meant to get preschoolers to spit.

Can the 12 year olds not arrange to meet a pal at the park? Even if it's a drop them off with a ball or scooter and collect in an hour or two ?

Calyptus76 · 02/02/2021 08:54

@Hibernatingnation I'm sorry that your DS is struggling. My 13yo is totally fed up too, it's really affecting his mental health.

He doesn't want me, he needs his peers but I have had to cut my work back to the bone as leaving him day after day alone was not helping.

It is one thing to leave young people alone for a few days or few weeks. But for a full working day, day after day, week after week is something else altogether. Maybe having no siblings makes it harder too- it feels like it does in our case.

I'm not sure how we will manage.

I'm not saying schools should open. It's not that simple. It's such a sad and difficult situation.

Hibernatingnation · 02/02/2021 09:10

Thanks @Calyptus76

He doesn't want me, he needs his peers but I have had to cut my work back to the bone as leaving him day after day alone was not helping.

That's it exactly. Last lockdown I was furloughed, not possible this time. I work 4 days and he's so much happier when I'm home on my day off. He misses the social aspect of school so much. I thought it would be fine for a few weeks but not months. I have the choice of watching his mental health deteriorate or giving up my job and living off credit cards until the schools open Sad.

peak2021 · 02/02/2021 09:33

No idea, but I hope it brings some certainty. Bad news is better than no news, good news even better.

Peppafrig · 02/02/2021 10:41

I know it’s one of those he said she said comments but my friend is saying her head is making mumbles about p1 and p7 going back in March . Again I’m not sure she knows anyone than anyone else but those are the rumours going about her school.

Itsabloodybingthing · 02/02/2021 12:37

I was feeling hopeful because I’d not seen any drips of any information in the media. However, the daily record doesn’t sound positive this morning Sad

MogOnFoxNightAgain · 02/02/2021 13:07

I’ve got a reclusive, almost zombie like 12 year old boy too. He was introverted before this but it’s taken it to a whole new level. He really misses seeing his friends at school. We live rurally and with 2 other children and both of us working there is a limit to how much we can facilitate meet ups (and he doesn’t seem that enthusiastic about meeting one friend for a walk - we’ve done it a few times but what he really used to love was hanging out in the nearby village in a big group).
I think the dreadful weather is not helping - bike rides etc don’t appeal.