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.

@TheKeatingFive

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.

Something thrown at it would fix the problem full stop 😁

True that. I'll get Bob in year 11 on it. He's got form for such things. He needs a little encouragement - asking him to do some work, or not to call someone a fucking cunt is usually enough.

Vaccinate teachers
Masks for primary, secondary and tertiary for all when inside

@MrsHamlet

True that. I'll get Bob in year 11 on it. He's got form for such things. He needs a little encouragement - asking him to do some work, or not to call someone a fucking cunt is usually enough.

thats the same Bob whose parents are insisting we give a 7 to when he has never produced any work higher than a 3.

My foster son 14, has been wearing a mask in all classes, corridors and everywhere except outdoors PE since September. All teachers too. Everyone in his special secondary do. No one complains. Kids who struggled with mask at beginning of September wore masks 10 mins on 10 mins in visor and gradually changed to 30 in mask 10 mins in visor, then 1 hour in mask, 10 mins in visor. Now all wearing mask all of the time. It can be done. All of these children have mild to moderate learning difficulty. Not sure why all schools not doing this.

Rotas in secondary. More time outside and smaller classes in primary (TAs take a small group somewhere else?) And as someone else recommended-allowances for local or school individual circumstances.

@MrsHamlet

True that. I'll get Bob in year 11 on it. He's got form for such things. He needs a little encouragement - asking him to do some work, or not to call someone a fucking cunt is usually enough.

God some year 11’s suck 😂 glad to see you are thinking of ways to meet his strengths

Primary - loads more outdoor learning, mainly ta led, take smaller groups into the classroom with the teacher. Learning should happen quicker in the smaller groups, to balance most pupils getting less teacher time. Would require additional funding for more ta cover (out school have made loads redundant in recent years due to funding pressure).

Secondary - rotas to keep class sizes small.

Anything which will reduce the number in each classroom to the point where some sort of social distancing is possible.

That's him staff
To be fair to Bob, he's never been vile to me because I take no shit. I'm not scared of him (maybe I should be!) and I treat him with respect.
In return, when he says "I ain't fucking doing that" he always puts "miss" on the end.
Be more Bob.

fair do - Bob is always polite in that sense. Always happy to say morning, afternoon, have a nice weekend etc.

I now never ask if Bob has a pen I just give him one as he comes in and he always says thanks before using it to draw a penis on someone else's book. I usually get a date and a title written in his own book.

Masks, ideally also rotas to allow social distancing.

My DD would prefer half time in safer school than full-time in school she clearly knows is not covid secure.

Face mask. I do not understand why children in school ban to wear it during this time. Very stupid guideline.

Rotas in secondary. The canteens and corridors are too crowded to accomodate everyone in the building in one go.

Rotas definitely seem a good idea.

I would think the juniors in primary could wear masks (a bit unfair on your summer born year 3, but they should be old enough) even if infants can’t. My dd’s secondary they been in masks in lessons for a long time. They don’t change classrooms for different lessons.

Forcing children to wear masks all day is child abuse, and this is a hill I will die on.

Strange post.

If you don't want your child to wear a mask, you don't have to die on any kind of hill.
You can just keep YOUR child off school and continue homeschooling them. I'm happy for schools to allow continued homeschooling for those who are afraid of the risks of school right now or are not happy with masks and open windows etc.
Problem solved.

In Japan we've had the schools FULLY open with masks and ventilation, since last June. Very few closures/clusters and our death rate is really low. I'd rather see the kids wearing masks than have schools constantly closing.

@5thriver

Face mask. I do not understand why children in school ban to wear it during this time. Very stupid guideline.

Ours have never been banned. All staff and children are encouraged (not forced) to wear them. All teachers choose too and probably about three quarters of the kids.

Mask wise all secondary kids. Probably only year 5 and 6 in primary. I know people will argue with this but there just isn't the data to make that a rule for younger year groups.

Permissable Parental Choice

@Fembot123

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

Why aren't they allowed their coats ffs? Here in Southern Spain where it's warmer than in the UK the windows are open all the time and when they need to the kids wear coats and even take blankets.

Rotas

@DamnYouAutoCatRectal

Primary - loads more outdoor learning, mainly ta led, take smaller groups into the classroom with the teacher. Learning should happen quicker in the smaller groups, to balance most pupils getting less teacher time. Would require additional funding for more ta cover (out school have made loads redundant in recent years due to funding pressure).

Secondary - rotas to keep class sizes small.

Anything which will reduce the number in each classroom to the point where some sort of social distancing is possible.

That would be nice, except that I get a TA in my class for 45 minutes a day..... another case of more money needed!

I allow coats. I sometimes put mine on. It’s been freezing this last term.

God knows @or

I worry about the after school clubs restarting as they mix the bubbles due to numbers and staff. We spend all day in one room away from other classes and then basketball club comes along as they all play together..... inside!

Rotas.

But if all kids have to be in, then a massively expanded symptom list for kids at least and any child with symptoms immediately sent home. It won't catch every case, but there have been a couple of cases in my school where an upset stomach was the first/only symptom, and I think in one case the child should have been sent home more quickly.