Are we feeling optimistic that schools WILL start returning from Monday? *MNHQ editing to note that this thread refers to schools in Scotland (WHICH IS FINE BY THE WAY AS THE SCOTS GET THIS ALL THE TIME IN THE OTHER DIRECTION signed a Scottish MNHQer)*

[DumplingsAndStew]

Does anyone know what time the address to MPs is due? I'm assuming it will be live streamed in Parliament before an official announcement later in the afternoon?

(UK)

@spiralflower

Yes, infants in Wales are returning from Monday. I’ve had times and details for my child who returns on Monday, so I’d say it’s quite certain.

That's good news. How are you (and your child!) feeling about it?

It's hugely positive news, for the UK, that schools are starting to return.

@Seeline

That's flummoxed me, as that does indeed seem really unfair.

I think they will take p1-3 back from Monday but fear they will wait another 3 weeks before bringing anyone else back. Even then, it might not be all ages. Our school is then off for 2 weeks Easter holiday at start of April, so more time lost.

If they do go back on Monday I will be conflicted. On one hand it will be great that my toddler can get back to nursery but on the other gutted that’s my P4 isn’t going back with the rest of her composite class - P1 to P4 in a small village school and only the 4 eldest aren’t due to return at the same time as the younger pupils.

[quote DumplingsAndStew]@titchy

But it wasn't - she mentioned MPs, not MSPs.

Apologies, I wasn't aware that it is only MSPs that meet to discuss this. I had assumed it was open to all at that level in parliament.[/quote]
Well yes of course it's only MSPs. Westminster has no jurisdiction over education matters in Scotland. I think you'd be rightly outraged if Westminster MPs started debating Scottish education matters!

@Letsleepingdogslie8

Thanks, I've read that article now. I didn't realise anyone in the UK still had older pupils in who were sitting exams/assessments. Is Wales still going ahead with exams this year?

Interesting that the younger years have confirmation of return, but other groups know nothing until (hopefully) the 19th. That gives me the expectation that whilst we might find out about the planned return for some pupils today, we might not be told of any plan for others until they review it in a bit. Good to know that, as I was kind of hoping to hear more of the extended plan today, so am able to adjust my expectations slightly, now knowing it might not be laid out right now.

" I didn't post in Scotsnet (or the Wales equivalent - sorry I don't know what that's called"

There isn't one.

@mumwalk

I think they will take p1-3 back from Monday but fear they will wait another 3 weeks before bringing anyone else back. Even then, it might not be all ages. Our school is then off for 2 weeks Easter holiday at start of April, so more time lost.

We break up for Easter on the 2nd April, so will be interesting to see (if this goes ahead) if anyone else is brought back before the end of the term.

DumplingsAndStew: We are very happy about it although I also have a child in the juniors who is disappointed that they can’t go too. Rates are pretty low where we are though. Homeschooling will be much easier with one child, that’s for sure! I know that the teacher is very happy to be going back too.

@MaybesAyeMaybesNo

If they do go back on Monday I will be conflicted. On one hand it will be great that my toddler can get back to nursery but on the other gutted that’s my P4 isn’t going back with the rest of her composite class - P1 to P4 in a small village school and only the 4 eldest aren’t due to return at the same time as the younger pupils.

Yeah it's hard isn't it

I have one S1 and one S4. It's likely the S4 will need a bit of in school time for practical subjects, but it would be nice to know when to expect the S1 to have some school time too.

"Weirdly, and somewhat unfairly, all MPs from all nations of the UK get to decide on education matters relevant to England."

Doesn't it come under EVEL?
Budget decisions do affect other parts of the UK.

@titchy

Well yes of course it's only MSPs. Westminster has no jurisdiction over education matters in Scotland. I think you'd be rightly outraged if Westminster MPs started debating Scottish education matters!

It's not a debate, though, just an announcement. I assumed it would be open to any UK parliament officials at that level who wanted to attend, as I think is the case in Westminster?

Hi OP

I’m very positive that all schools in the UK will be returning on February 22nd!

The majority of schools will return, but with online learning for all but vulnerable learners and children with certain ALN.

Some primary schools may have the youngest children in from next week IF nothing happens with the numbers before them. This will depend on your location. Even if you live in Wales it is not guaranteed and will be down to individual councils.

From March 8th schools in England will likely start a phased return.

But I am 100% confident that all schools will be back open from Monday 22nd and pupils will return to some form of learning.

@Gwenhwyfar

" I didn't post in Scotsnet (or the Wales equivalent - sorry I don't know what that's called"

There isn't one.

I did wonder, as I couldn't find it on the list with Scotsnet and Craicnet.

There are probably quite a few Wales-specific threads in the Coronavirus topic.

@spiralflower

DumplingsAndStew: We are very happy about it although I also have a child in the juniors who is disappointed that they can’t go too. Rates are pretty low where we are though. Homeschooling will be much easier with one child, that’s for sure! I know that the teacher is very happy to be going back too.

Hopefully it won't be too long before they all get back. I understand why they are prioritising certain years, but it does seem unfair for those who aren't in this first wave of pupils returning. A blended learning model would seem much more fair for them to understand.

Fingers crossed for good news this afternoon.

Do schools in Wales start going back next week too? I have lost the plot a bit - but infection rates in Scotland and Wales were generally lower than in England, so it makes sense for them to start going back earlier.

No idea about Northern Ireland at this point.

And OP, you could have said you were in Scotland. I actually thought you were in Wales when you said next week so not being England-centric. It's really not hard to say where you are.

@dementedpixie

Why would people in the rest of the UK have views about what's happening in schools in Scotland?

Well views for England are beamed into Scottish homes every day, so why not? I discuss Welsh, Irish, English and Scottish circumstances.

Op, I hope they do return, but I've learned not to get hopes up at all when it comes to anything the First Minister says, she has been the ultimate goal post mover throughout this.

@poppycat10

Do schools in Wales start going back next week too? I have lost the plot a bit - but infection rates in Scotland and Wales were generally lower than in England, so it makes sense for them to start going back earlier.

No idea about Northern Ireland at this point.

And OP, you could have said you were in Scotland. I actually thought you were in Wales when you said next week so not being England-centric. It's really not hard to say where you are.

Depends where you are in Wales.

Some children (age 3-7) are being phased back into school OVER the week beginning 22/2.

Some little ones go back for instance on the Friday of that week for 1 day.

@poppycat10 Early years in Wales are going back next week, from school nursery up to year 2. Our county is going back on Wednesday 24th to allow schools time to prepare on Monday and Tuesday. Cases in my county are lower than 70 positive cases per 100k now, so its a good time for them to go back. Years 3 upwards are still doing online learning for the foreseeable future though.

Hi guys,
We've made a very subtle amendment to the title, hope it's okay?

@HopeMumsnet

Hi guys, We've made a very subtle amendment to the title, hope it's okay?

I love you.

@HopeMumsnet

Hi guys, We've made a very subtle amendment to the title, hope it's okay?

😂 So subtle Hope. I'll wait for the abuse when people think that was MY words and not yours 😂 Can I ask how many reports/complaints the thread got?

I will point out though that Wales are also planning a return from Monday 😉

I really wish some people weren't so quick to dismiss the fact that this start to return to schools affects every part of the UK, though, not just the ones that are going first.

Dinnae worry, it wasn't complaints!
Just people suggesting a clarification might be in order, which is absolutely fair enough as you got everyone's hopes up.

[quote DinosaurOfFire]@poppycat10 Early years in Wales are going back next week, from school nursery up to year 2. Our county is going back on Wednesday 24th to allow schools time to prepare on Monday and Tuesday. Cases in my county are lower than 70 positive cases per 100k now, so its a good time for them to go back. Years 3 upwards are still doing online learning for the foreseeable future though.[/quote]
I just checked the BBC lookup and our county are at less than 70 too. That's great progress!