One thing to make schools safer

[pinkhappy]

There are a lot of threads about schools and covid. I get lost in the rage and strong opinions even though I am sure that somewhere in there there are constructive suggestions.
Without expressing any views on politics/the govt or any fury, what is the top thing that you think could realistically be done to make schools safer when they reopen? Just one suggestion per answer please.

Not easing other restrictions at the same time, people actually sticking to the guidelines regarding SD, masks, closed bubbles and only meeting 1:1

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

One of the things that did work in Spanish schools was that the very strict lockdown did brings rates down very low by the summer and then masks were made compulsory everywhere by July so kids went back in the September with relatively low rates and everyone masked. So it never really took hold in schools in the way it was allowed to go rampant in schools in the UK. Also, during our lockdown there was no school, not even for key workers, the schools were locked. So I think people know what total school closures are like and really are motivated to not let that happen again.

Are there many parents in Spain that refuse to let their child wear a mask at school? Some here appear to feel it’s tantamount to child abuse. What happens if a parent refuses?

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

One of the things that did work in Spanish schools was that the very strict lockdown did brings rates down very low by the summer and then masks were made compulsory everywhere by July so kids went back in the September with relatively low rates and everyone masked. So it never really took hold in schools in the way it was allowed to go rampant in schools in the UK. Also, during our lockdown there was no school, not even for key workers, the schools were locked. So I think people know what total school closures are like and really are motivated to not let that happen again.

A question if you don't mind. People have said else where that Spain are not really testing their school children. Is this rubbish or not?

There are exemptions for people who can't wear them but pretty much nobody uses the exemptions. There are some autistic children locally who don't wear them but pretty much everyone adheres.
If you aren't exempt and won't wear one you get sent home. At least that is the case in my son's secondary school. Any child not wearing a mask properly or not adhering to SD will be sent to reception and parents called to take them home for the day.

@HercwasanEnemyofEducation

What do working parents do?

What are they doing now?

We are desperately struggling and worried daily that we will get fired for reduced productivity.

Rotas just won't work, employers won't put up with that.

I still don't understand the ventilation point. Is it that teachers are asking for new building work or is it literally a question of opening the windows?

@pinkhappy

I still don't understand the ventilation point. Is it that teachers are asking for new building work or is it literally a question of opening the windows?

Is it teachers who are asking for ventilation?

For me, I have every possible window that opens in my classroom, open. Without spending a fortune on new buIldings/windows/air con systems-which I know will never happen-we couldn’t improve things that much. That wouldn’t be my main priority to mitigate risk in my school.

Rotas just won't work, employers won't put up with that.

It's better than what they've got now! Short term measure to keep cases low. It seems a good solution for secondary.

I think there are classrooms where windows physically won’t open, in which case, money should be made available to sort that.

vaccinate all staff

@TheKeatingFive

I think there are classrooms where windows physically won’t open, in which case, money should be made available to sort that.

Some classrooms don’t even have windows.

I think there are classrooms where windows physically won’t open, in which case, money should be made available to sort that.

That seems reasonable, unless there is some safety reason that they are shut.

Some classrooms don’t even have windows.

What is the suggestion then? Don't use those classrooms? Put in windows?

Some classrooms don’t even have windows.

That’s grim at the best of times.

@pinkhappy

I think there are classrooms where windows physically won’t open, in which case, money should be made available to sort that.

That seems reasonable, unless there is some safety reason that they are shut.

typically anything higher than the first floor maybe very restricted in case anything big is thrown out or falls out.

@TheKeatingFive

Some classrooms don’t even have windows.

That’s grim at the best of times.

Imagine the smell 🤢

Windows don't open in my school, we have a ventilation system but the classrooms stink still!

thats when we get into trouble for leaving the fire door propped open

My room has windows and when SLT aren’t looking I let the students put coats on, don’t know why they can’t in these extenuating circumstances

don’t know why they can’t in these extenuating circumstances

Totally ridiculous not to. Any unhelpful uniform rules should be shelved for now.

Rubber stairs?

My thoughts exactly @TheKeatingFive

We have classrooms which are roofed over formerly external spaces. They have windows but they don't open at all... they're just panes of glass

They have windows but they don't open at all... they're just panes of glass

I think money should be thrown at that to fix it.

They'd open into another classroom or a corridor though. I'm not sure how much use that would actually be.
Schools have been given no money to deal with any of this. We had a huge deficit budget before this started and the black hole is getting blacker and blacker.