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.

But what would they do when they weren't in school? We still need to plan for that too.
And- if a whole class is in- what's the benefit Covid wise?
Sorry for being thick and not understanding how it could work.

How can the ventilation problem be fixed? It's been mentioned a lot.

@grafittiartist You'd have to set them a workbook or equivalent to do while at home. Yes we'd have to plan for it but I'd take that over the isolation hokey kokey that last term was.

It's not a perfect solution admittedly. I think it's paramount that the year 11 students don't have any isolation periods until they have been assessed.

Exactly as herc says.
I teach the kids in class x whilst the ones at home do y. They swap over. Everyone gets everything but in a different order. It's not insurmountable - but of course I do only teach y10 upwards. I don't presume to say what my ks1 colleagues could do.

@grafittiartist

But what would they do when they weren't in school? We still need to plan for that too. And- if a whole class is in- what's the benefit Covid wise? Sorry for being thick and not understanding how it could work.

They're online! Hybrid learning - it's happening in many countries. On a rota. Half the class in the room, half the class on the screen. It's not perfect but it's better than nothing, and in countries where it's been the norm for a while, everyone is used to it.

@HanLoch

Got to be rotas. I have already taught with masks and the masks that these students are wearing are not clean or used only once. They are used for a week (if you're lucky!!) And are disgusting and hanging off them, constantly touched. It cannot be doing them any good sitting with those on their face all day!

Yes, i am strongly against masks. I get headache just after half an hour in one.

Rotas will not work in early years unless teachers do double work.
I cant imagine 5-6 years old in azoom class all day paying attention

Vaccinating teachers is the only thing for me

Vaccinating teachers.

Everything else either severely compromises access to learning, more so for children with existing disadvantages, or is logistically impossible on realistic timescales and budgets. You can't magic up new classrooms, staff and ventilation where existing buildings are of poor design.

@queenofthelamas

Rotas and non teaching staff asked to WFH

Wouldn't work in my primary school - I photocopy and prepare all the educational support packs for the teachers, handle calls from parents, sort the electronic registers and daily government return, do 1st aid on the key worker children in and parent communications. Amongst other things! This is why I say people don't realise school staff are a) all in contact with children and other staff and b) it's nigh on impossible to WFH effectively. I know it's the same at my DS's secondary school, they've had a fairly full support team in the entire time. Still need to feed the kids, clean the school and do the admin etc.

Oh at the same time? I understand.
Would still hate that- as a teacher of practical subjects, so it would still be double planning. Which it will be when we go back anyway as there are always pupils isolating.
Sorry to be gloomy!! I need a more positive attitude!!

I’m not teaching staff but my job revolves around the students, I can’t do it from home.

Rotas

Vaccinating teachers, although we should still open schools while that's being done, because of the harms to children of keeping them closed.

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

@HalfPastThree

Vaccinating teachers, although we should still open schools while that's being done, because of the harms to children of keeping them closed.

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

Wow 😯

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

Seriously?

@WhenSheWasBad

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

Seriously?

What, someone went against the set narrative of the thread?

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

😂 no it isn’t

Saliva tests for children.

Other things have already been suggested

A sense of perspective

I’m in year 2. We’ve been wearing masks (staff and kids) since after Christmas. No cases.

Forcing children to wear masks all day is child abuse, and this is a hill I will die on.
Hopefully not from coronavirus

Never a complaint from children age 6/7. Regular outdoor breaks. You get used to it. It’s been so cold, it’s kept us warm.

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

We haven’t forced, we’ve encouraged and praised and thanked.

@HalfPastThree

Vaccinating teachers, although we should still open schools while that's being done, because of the harms to children of keeping them closed.

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

The fact you think that is child abuse shows that you don’t give a shit about children who do experience actual abuse.

@Piggywaspushed

What skippety said.

Plus rotas.

This