How can schools successfully reopen? What the UK can learn from other countries

[herecomesthsun]

Very interesting thread, in the Telegraph, looking at what other countires are doing to make schools safe, here.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/02/14/can-schools-successfully-reopen-uk-can-learn-countries/

The implication is that the UK can adopt some of these measures for schools reopening to be more successful.

For example, in France, some measures discussed that are not currently in use in the UK include:

"-Students must adhere to the one-metre social distancing measures in their classrooms and two metres when in the canteen with pupils from other classes

-Wearing a face mask is mandatory for adults and pupils from the first grade

• Facilities must be cleaned and aired for at least 10 minutes every three hours

When looking at how other advanced nations have navigated school closures, France has one of the lowest closed school rates. Children and teachers in French schools are also no longer allowed to wear fabric face masks, but must instead wear “category 1” surgical masks which offer a higher level of protection."

and so on.

I think it's very encouraging that this is at least being discussed, and in one of the more right wing papers. Let's hope there are government plans to put more measures in place.

SD between children and staff and if that means rota, two weeks in two weeks off so be it. Proper medical masks for all children. Windows open and dressed accordingly.

For secondary, the same but subjects that can be taught remotely with no practicals should be and all sixth form/college/uni non practical subjects online.

This has been done to death

Look at the zillion other threads on it

It might have been done to death - but the government has not made any hopeful adaptations or changes to plans, have they?

Also as OP says it seems to be the first time the media is discussing this - and the Telegraph!

Perhaps the DfE might take some notice now.

Definitely SD and proper mask wearing. We are back in school (Italy) but on a kind of rota basis, and SD desks, temp checks, and a surgical mask as minimum (I have a feeling the next rule will actually be double masking or FFP2 which is what most people are wearing anyway.

Priority for school staff and vaccine- primary and middle school teachers (these schools come under the jurisdiction of the local council) are getting the vaccine in my town on Saturday in the sports centre. I'm secondary which comes under the regional govt and we'll be done "before end March"

Hygiene hygiene hygiene I suppose. Just things in place for the inevitable infections.

It's not perfect by a long shot, and the blended classes are a 'mare tbh, but it's better than being stuck online for the kids.

Or Scotland where elc and primary measures have reduced. No masks need to be worn by adults working within 2m for 15 mins or more, (prior to Christmas you had to). Cleaning has been cut back and lots of kids ar having sleep overs visiting numerous family etc. But, risk ssessment points out that it is very difficult to catch covid from asymptomatic people.
I think Scotland can lead the way on safely opeing primaries anyway. 😂 Here's hoping it all goes well.

In Iceland preschools (1-6) and compulsory schools (6-16) have never been fully closed to any children. No masks for children born in 2005 or later. Temporarily that was changed to 2011 but soon reversed. Parents are not allowed inside buildings and extra emphasis on hand washing.

In the spring peak we had kids in every other day or only mornings/afternoons, so a rota system and other measures to stop classes mixing in school. Outside that period, things have been pretty much normal for under 16s. Colleges for 16-19 have used a lot of remote learning, but are back now.

Not sure the UK can learn anything from Iceland as our circumstances are so different - smaller classes generally, community transmission much better controlled via testing, tracing and quarantine, small population. But our experiences do make me question the enthusiasm for masks on children.

What are you class sizes like, Puffin?

There's a lot that can be done like @PuffinShop says but I don't have much hope. If you get a school that has had no covid and a good system everyone just says it's 'luck' and nothing to learn from. So getting comparisons between countries is a no hoper. Plus we have a government that is institutionally biased against children and families as reported today - and an education sector which is convinced children are superspreaders and they're at higher risk of illness despite evidence to the contrary. Just kids and families stuck in the middle that no-one really cares that much about. They care a bit, but not enough to really help.

I really don’t want my kids having to wear masks in lessons. They are uncomfortable and distracting.

This has been done to death

You’re right, but it’s all been “schools must go back in exactly the same format as before” - very little has been done to ensure that schools can not only go back but stay back. I don’t understand why schools are the only part of society deemed to be immune from Covid, and there are very few countries which haven’t put in extra Covid measures such as masks, rotas, smaller classes etc. Hopefully as this is being reported in the Telegraph someone might take some notice. Children are important but if we don’t get the economy going soon they won’t need an education because there won’t be any jobs for them.

Having to isolate and not leave the house for two weeks at a time because covid is running riot through your year group is also uncomfortable and distracting.

Interesting, as a pp mentioned, that this is in the Telegraph. They are generally keen for schools to go back on the 8th in full. Perhaps they are starting to see that concessions might need to be made in terms of proper mitigation measures for that to happen?

Oops wrong name. I usually keep one name specific for Iceland stuff because it's such a little country, have to get rid of that one now :/
I asked for that one to be deleted, hopefully it can be.

Average class size in Iceland about 18-22!

All fine in theory, but most of my classes have 30-32 pupils. I can’t teach a full class and keep them 1m apart. I also find it difficult to hear pupils giving answers when they wear a mask so they would struggle to hear me properly if I’m wearing a mask, particularly if they’re sat at the back of room. Just to add a bit more difficulty my classroom windows are right next to our outdoor PE area so it’s already really noisy when the windows are open.

I can only dream of 18-22. I have 32 and 28 in year 11 (although the 28 is never 28 because I have some non-attenders)
My A level classes are 15, 13 and 12 though.

Nice article from the Telegraph on the advantages of flexi schooling here

www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/02/17/post-covid-flexi-schooling-could-give-children-rounded-education/

@SpringSunshineandTulips

I really don’t want my kids having to wear masks in lessons. They are uncomfortable and distracting.

If it was a clear choice between that and them having to stay at home, what would you choose?

Why are we still going on about this. All the most vulnerable are vaccinated, most people will be vaccinated within the next few months and children don't even know they have it. Why do people want more and more restrictions that impact especially on children.

@SpringSunshineandTulips

I really don’t want my kids having to wear masks in lessons. They are uncomfortable and distracting.

But I really don’t want your children in my lessons without masks. They are more likely to spread Covid and could kill me.

I think my ‘want’ trumps yours.

Who wants more and more restrictions???

@mrsfezziwig are you joking? "I don’t understand why schools are the only part of society deemed to be immune from Covid"

Schools aren't open properly and only have been for about 14 weeks when they didn't run as normal. There are loads of covid measures, might not be the same as a shop but not exactly less than. You have someone coughing and sweating that you have to serve in a shop -a mask is not going to reassure you. It's not even necessarily going to keep you safe. Schools have measures that shops don't have, not least having full knowledge of who is walking through the door and an ability to send them home if needed.

I'm sorry that schools are essential, I don't understand how that's a surprise to teachers. Just like hospitals, doctors, dentists, supermarkets, buses, transport..the list goes on. Millions of people are still working in thousands of buildings - not just teachers. Although why only teachers complain is beyond me.

Rotas, masks, etc all restrictive.
Bustopher have you not had the vaccine if you are vulnerable?

Rotas, masks, etc all restrictive
Not more restrictive than learning from home though.

Mrshamlet I don't think children should be learning at home. The vaccine is being rolled out, we should be looking at loosening restrictions not tightening them

Although why only teachers complain is beyond me.
I'm not complaining. But I'd quite like to feel safe in my workplace - not because I think I'll die. I don't and I've had the vaccine - but because I'd like to think I'm keeping my students and their families safe. And if I get ill, that's 3 exam classes without a teacher for however long.