Chances of a March return for primaries?

[NoGoodOptions]

What do we think the chances are for a March return for primaries? The case numbers and R-rate as well as vaccination figures all look hopeful. It's such a hard slog wfh ft with two young children (5 and 7), and I think as a result I'm susceptible to any shred of optimism. On the one hand many on these fora seem to think after Easter, on the other hand I know a few local families that are planning to go on like this until September 😱! Government say it's their top priority to get the schools back, but equally they've led us on so many times before. What do we think is the likelihood??? Thanks!

I think they will be back in full on the 8th to be honest, with the number of key workers in many schools no point in phased return. I think it’s the right thing for the children as long as transmission numbers stay low, and I will welcome them happily. However doesn’t stop me feeling nervous as a pregnant teacher.

Hoping for 8th March. We can’t put children’s life on hold indefinitely, or, as another poster stated, every time a new variant pops up.

What do we do. Rearrange the whole school year system so the long holiday is in the winter? We need some forward planning for living with the virus that doesn’t involve damage to children.

Well I've managed to book dc dentist appointments for 8th march so my money is on that day just because of sods law.

It should be 8th of March for primaries, and all schools and businesses to be honest but think it will be slow lifting and primaries should be the first back.

I think primaries will be 8th March.

When schools re-opened previously, our school didn't want to mix existing bubbles (keyworker/vulnerable children). Without the Easter break, I can't see full primary schools, as they won't be able to cope if they want to keep existing bubbles (as they've only had a weekend between) - also taking it slowly for 3/4 weeks maybe on a rota to monitor how schools opening impact community transmission.

I don't see why they can't reopen on the 8th - at least for partial reopening and then full opening after the Easter holidays.

I genuinely don't understand why some people think this will go on until September.

Rates are plummeting, hospital admissions and deaths are also now starting to fall - and we're talking another month away with plenty of potential for continual, sustained falls.

If we look at how much has changed over the past month, I don't understand why this progress wouldn't continue - especially as the top 4 groups will have been vaccinated, with time to factor in the immunity. Surely the whole point of the vaccination plan is that hospitals won't be overwhelmed and we can start opening things up again.

The research is starting to show that the vaccinations can prevent transmission, and there's every hope that we'll see more evidence of this over the next few weeks - not just from the UK, but also from Israel as well.

Oh Mumsnet, i don't think schools are closed because teachers are scared! Of course not lol. But I don't think it would hurt their reopening if teachers could be more assured of their personal safety and the vaccine seems the best way to do just that. Yes, it depends on what community transmission looks like, which is reflected in the school numbers. I also agree with the many here that are speaking out for children's mental health through this.

@NoGoodOptions

Oh Mumsnet, i don't think schools are closed because teachers are scared! Of course not lol. But I don't think it would hurt their reopening if teachers could be more assured of their personal safety and the vaccine seems the best way to do just that. Yes, it depends on what community transmission looks like, which is reflected in the school numbers. I also agree with the many here that are speaking out for children's mental health through this.

Why say it then, as if it’s the only reason schools are closed? Then throw in the other public facing workers? I agree with the poster who says, this is a teacher bashing thread in disguise (again). You just let your mask slip

Probably this because Scotland has gone back:

“I think younger primary back 8th March and then a gradual return for the rest. Possibly secondary after Easter.”

Though we may wait for similar low numbers to Scotland if the prevalence is slightly different.

I think it's very likely that all primary children will be back from 8th March. The vaccination programme is going better than most people dared hope for, and cases and deaths are falling in a sustained way. The only issue is the SA variant - everything would be turned on its head if this started spreading rapidly.

I think the government will go with 8th March though personally I’m hoping they’ll wait until after the Easter Holidays. I just wish they’d put in more protective measures to reduce spread and make keeping schools open more sustainable.

I think they will announce on the 22nd Feb that the younger years of primary will go back on the 8th March. However, I hope they decide to let all primary years back and give dates for secondaries to work towards, ideally starting before the Easter holidays even if just for a week or two. It is unacceptable to keep them out of school any longer unless the situation drastically changes over the next few weeks.

I think there is going to be immense pressure on the government for the schools to go back on 8 March or very, very shortly afterwards. As a compromise it might be Primaries back in March and Secondary after Easter.

I do t want them to go back until numbers are lower.

They could just send them back and numbers explode again.

Likely

It should be by March at the latest....infections and hospital numbers are falling very fast and vaccinations going up very fast. We're sending P1-p3 back two weeks today in Scotland and frankly there is no reason why that shouldn't be all primary ages (at least). Our average test % is almost 5% (under control by WHO definition).

Phased return for youngest from 8th March, all back after Easter is my guess.

Hoping for all back in primary on 8th March. Think the messages coming from the government sound positive for that.

I'm just relieved they seem to be sticking with their promise of schools back first before anything else and last summers piss-take won't be repeated.

@TheProperNoun

I reckon 8th March for Primary school and Y11 and Y13 at secondary. All other years back after Easter.

Why would they send back y11 &13. They aren't doing exams anymore. Be better to send back y10 and 12 who will most likely be expected to do exams next year despite missing a whole year of content learning.

Sorry. 'A full term' not year.

Op it's the job of the supermarkets to get keep their staff safe and supermarkets union and workers.

It's not quite the same as the classroom as has beeb said time and time again.

A small room with at least 30 students, all without masks, a variation on ventilation from the room to room and school to school, tas etc is simply not comparible with supermarkets and usually high ceilings everyone in masks, some of safety provision by tills and then freedom of for most staff to move freely around the store...

Teachers and support staff can't walk off and leave group a because they are crowed...

Inspite of the pressure I hope the government actually follow the numbers this time and do the right thing, ie send forms back when it's safe as a country to do so.

Personally I'd like rather hold out for as long as we can, until more are vaccinated and numbers are truly well surpressed.

Vaccines will work against other strains...

@springwinterautumn they desperately need the example years back as the government, whilst announcing exams are cancelled have at the same time just finished a consultation on whether to set papers by exam boards and have students sit them at school and be marked by teachers...still waiting on what the decision is! Even if they dont have to sit these 'exams by any other name' most schools still need to compile evidence of attainment to justify the grades they submit to the exam boards. The GCSE year especially are so behind they desperately need to go back. Any time lost is especially bad for those looking to do science and maths A-leveld which are meant to build on what was learnt at GCSE.
This year of children have I think been the worst hit, along with sixth form.

exam not example!