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Original poster

March 8th for schools - who will go back?

147 replies

Springhere · 07/02/2021 10:30

It seems very likely that schools will reopen in some form on 8th March but how do people think it might work? Staggered or full return? Opinion seems so divided on this. I'm starting to think primaries will open in full (as it would be difficult to have cherry picked year groups alongside keyworker bubbles) with a slower, staggered return for secondaries. Would be interested to hear what others think, especially those of you working in schools.

OP posts:
Redwinestillfine · 07/02/2021 10:40

Source?

year5teacher · 07/02/2021 10:40

I would give my left arm for primaries to reopen in full on the 8th.

HipTightOnions · 07/02/2021 10:41

No idea. My school seems to think Year 13 will be prioritised.

It’s interesting how “There is no way schools can return before March 8th at the very earliest, and that’s only if everything is going well by then” morphed into “Schools are going back on March 8th”.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 07/02/2021 10:42

If they copy wales and scotland it will be infants first.

AlexaShutUp · 07/02/2021 10:44

Our school seems to think that year 11s will be back on 8 March - straight back into mocks apparently!

Lifeinaonesie · 07/02/2021 10:46

I really wouldn't be surprised if they just say that they might as well wait until after east holidays. I despararely want and need primaries to go back so I can work and salvage my career but I'm not holding out any hopes.

TheDrsDocMartens · 07/02/2021 10:47

Infants/years 10-13/keyworker.
Juniors if they’ve infant siblings maybe?
Then juniors /7-9 after Easter.

SummerHouse · 07/02/2021 10:49

I believe primary schools will go back in full on 8 March.

Original poster
Springhere · 07/02/2021 10:50

It’s interesting how “There is no way schools can return before March 8th at the very earliest, and that’s only if everything is going well by then” morphed into “Schools are going back on March 8th”.
I think the government were well aware that people would choose to read it this way, which is why I do think they will reopen on the 8th (barring any major developments with new variants).

OP posts:
buttheywereonlysatellites · 07/02/2021 10:53

Didn't they prioritise yr6 last year? I really hope they do again this year as my DS is really struggling at home now Sad

Redwinestillfine · 07/02/2021 10:54

So no actual sources. Just speculation then?

Musicalmistress · 07/02/2021 10:57

@Springhere

It seems very likely that schools will reopen in some form on 8th March but how do people think it might work? Staggered or full return? Opinion seems so divided on this. I'm starting to think primaries will open in full (as it would be difficult to have cherry picked year groups alongside keyworker bubbles) with a slower, staggered return for secondaries. Would be interested to hear what others think, especially those of you working in schools.
In Scotland the plan is for nursery & P1-3 (up to Y2) to all go back full time from Feb 22nd. This is alongside keyworker/vulnerable groups for P4-7 (up to Y6). No idea how they think schools will manage to staff in school groups & remote learning at the same time but the powers that be don't give a toss!
manicinsomniac · 07/02/2021 10:57

I really don't think anyone can do more than guess right now.

I think it should be left to individual schools to decide on their priorities and safe limits. At my school, the most important year groups are Years 2, 7 and 8 but they'd never get national priority. The govt doesn't understand that not all school's are the same.

My head thinks it will be nursery, reception and maybe Y1. Possibly Y2. But no more. I hope she's being overly pessimistic. But I don't know. Nobody does.

Itisasecret · 07/02/2021 10:59

@DrMadelineMaxwell

If they copy wales and scotland it will be infants first.
They can’t. For a start, EYFS in England never closed. England have a much wider definition of KWV and less strict criteria. Which has resulted in many primaries being pretty full. Not all but a significant enough proportion that a phased review like that won’t work.
stilllovingmysleep · 07/02/2021 10:59

I find it upsetting this whole idea of prioritising year groups based on exams

Should we not rethink our whole focus on exams? If not now when?

Would rotas / blended learning not work better?

As for exact dates who knows... I worry they'll just reopen widely with no plan, only to close quickly again which is a disaster for all involved and mainly for kids

Original poster
Springhere · 07/02/2021 11:01

@Redwinestillfine

So no actual sources. Just speculation then?
Yes, that's right, I was asking for opinions!
OP posts:
MoirasRoses · 07/02/2021 11:02

If Scotland & Wales send kids back to school end of Feb, there is NO WAY BoJo won’t follow suit ASAP in March. He can’t be seen to be failing England’s children.. nor the wrath of parents in England desperate to send their kids back! So yes, I’d expect 8th March v much.

Initially I thought I’d be like last June. Reception, Yr1 & Yr6 for Primary. But there are a lot of KW children in school now. There isn’t the space they had last June to spread out.. so I’m not sure. But if not all, it’ll be younger years & exam years almost certainly.

42isthemeaning · 07/02/2021 11:02

"The plan is" Those are the key words. I don't personally see any point in speculating. With this government, even if they say schools are definitely opening on 8th, would you even believe them?

42isthemeaning · 07/02/2021 11:03

FWIW I live in Scotland and I don't see Nicola opening schools again anytime soon.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/02/2021 11:03

I think it will depend entirely on whether they limit the number of children in one classroom.

Daisy829 · 07/02/2021 11:04

I hope early years are in the first intake back. My 6yo is really disengaged with school. I’m not overly worried atm but she would definitely benefit from going back. My 10yo is doing really well at home this time round so I’m less concerned about her.

Itisasecret · 07/02/2021 11:06

@Daisy829

I hope early years are in the first intake back. My 6yo is really disengaged with school. I’m not overly worried atm but she would definitely benefit from going back. My 10yo is doing really well at home this time round so I’m less concerned about her.
I would say Yr 11 and Yr 13 are more important. They have spent most of their exam courses out. Yet, teachers are supposed to assess them? If those year groups go back, secondaries will still be less full than a lot of primaries currently.
Stovetopespresso · 07/02/2021 11:09

@buttheywereonlysatellites

Didn't they prioritise yr6 last year? I really hope they do again this year as my DS is really struggling at home now Sad
me too we are on our knees here
Ffsffsffsffsffs · 07/02/2021 11:10

Who the fuck knows. They said they'll give 2 weeks notice of schools reopening. I bet my life that the advice given on 22nd Feb will be so vague that heads still won't have a clue.

I'm not expecting my teenagers back in school before Easter (y9/13). I'm fortunate that they're engaging well with remote learning and so far we're not having too many wobbles with their MH.

speaksofty · 07/02/2021 11:11

Exams years and reception as before.