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Original poster

Is covid ripping through your school?

357 replies

whattodo2019 · 19/09/2021 20:06

Both schools my DC attend and the school
I work at now have numerous covid cases for the first time!!! Is it just inevitable
that under the current guidelines, all these kids are going to get covid? The staff feel like ticking times bombs despite being vaccinated.
Like many establishments, we have newly
of staff, vulnerable staff, staff with vulnerable family members, very anxious older staff.... It's nerve wracking waiting for it to hit!

OP posts:
Jenster03 · 05/10/2021 07:46

Are you primary or secondary?

motherrunner · 05/10/2021 08:39

Secondary.

a8mint · 05/10/2021 08:47

Do you mean you are expected to work when you are ill, or you are expected to have done lesson plans for all your lessons which supply (or another adult) could pick up and follow in the event of your absence?

noblegiraffe · 05/10/2021 11:14

Another secondary teacher here who has dragged herself in while ill as it’s easier than trying to set cover work while ill.

Needanewadventure2021 · 05/10/2021 11:22

It seems my DS school has it but they are not informing parents. We currently have covid and I have since learnt other children in his class were off with it already.

It doesn't make sense to me how school isn't even informing parents so they can test if they choose to. The fact I've told the school and nothing has been sent out shocks me. And makes me wonder how many cases are actually in the school that they know about but aren't doing anything to stop it spreading. I know classes aren't required to isolate any more but at least inform parents their child has a positive case in their class.

But I have also read that schools don't have to say anything now so I dread to think how many cases there will be.

RosieRoww · 05/10/2021 11:33

Yes , loads of positive cases over the last 5 weeks and still more almost on daily basis.

User5827372728 · 05/10/2021 12:10

@Needanewadventure2021

My kids primary is saying the are following the guidelines and not letting us know if any cases.

My secondary also isn’t informing us or parents/carers. I only find out as have to teach remotely and in person for the kids off!

My whole department is off with covid and I wasn’t told… until I messaged them and asked… I’ve moved new departments this year so don’t know them all. The only person left in my departments son is off with covid

cabbageking · 05/10/2021 12:17

choolsweek.co.uk/quarter-of-schools-surpass-dfe-contingency-thresholds-requiring-stricter-covid-measures/

Bennetgirl · 05/10/2021 16:00

Our school have now moved up to amber restrictions. Masks are back, no assemblies, trips or parents evenings.

Apparently there’s a lot of teachers off now with it.

MavisGovis · 05/10/2021 16:10

@Bennetgirl

Our school have now moved up to amber restrictions. Masks are back, no assemblies, trips or parents evenings.

Apparently there’s a lot of teachers off now with it.

Same at ours. It seemed to hit Year 10 & 11 last week with numbers rising from 15 to 65, but then eased off a bit. It seems to be spreading quickly in Year 9 now.

BlackeyedSusan · 05/10/2021 16:21

Had three emails in the last week that they have been in a class with a positive case and could they get a PCR test between the two of them.

DoctorSnortles · 05/10/2021 16:56

I can also confirm that teachers are expected to set work for classes if off sick, and if it isn't considered to be good enough you soon know about it.

We have lots of students off but their parents tell us they are well enough to do work, so now I'm planning, resourcing and delivering my lessons AND planning, resourcing and setting work for the very many kids who are off.

I love teaching, but the last 18 months or so have been complete shit. Am sick of it now.

Bennetgirl · 05/10/2021 17:14

We have no idea how many cases there are. My daughters come home and real off a list of people who have it now.

I’m having a baby next month so hoping we avoid it before I pull them out to self isolate 😩

User5827372728 · 05/10/2021 17:45

@Bennetgirl

Was that advised by the Public health? And what were your numbers like?

I can’t believe we haven’t put more restrictions on lac but appaz they are following guidelines

Benjispruce4 · 05/10/2021 17:50

None so far in my small primary but just today quite a few children said their siblings have it so watch this space. Several at my DH’s workplace have positive chn but they are taking the sensible decision to let the household stay home.

ilovebagpuss · 05/10/2021 18:20

Secondary just closed to all but years 7/11 here until at least next Tuesday. My DD11 is off with Covid anyway and now her sister can join her as she’s year 10! More disruption.

motherrunner · 05/10/2021 18:21

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-58805054

Just seen this on BBC.

cantkeepawayforever · 05/10/2021 18:32

@a8mint

Do you mean you are expected to work when you are ill, or you are expected to have done lesson plans for all your lessons which supply (or another adult) could pick up and follow in the event of your absence?
Normal, longstanding model for us - primary - is that we are required to set out detailed lesson plans and resources for every lesson so that a non-qualified adult (we cannot get supply, so often a class TA) can teach it.

These are based on, but not identical to, the existing lesson plans and resources, which are less detailed as they are taught by qualified teachers with a longstanding relationship with the class. Sop for example the 'normal' plans might say 'model with concrete resources', while the illness cover ones will either specify step by step what to model or have Powerpoint slides for each step to replace live modelling. Answer sheets etc also often need to be generated, that a class teacher would not normally have to use.

As for a normal day that's at least 6 lessons, it can be an onerous task.

Bennetgirl · 05/10/2021 18:33

@User5827372728 Yes from public health, it’s the second letter and takes effect tomorrow. It doesn’t say how many cases but does say a significant rise across all age groups.

One of daughters friends has just tested positive. She’s been in school all day. I’m guessing lft.

One dd didn’t have a form tutor today and no one else showed up, another had a live lesson with a teacher at home but said it was rubbish and yesterday one pe teacher taught 60 kids.

I’m in two minds about keeping them off but it could go on for ages. It seems like staff shortages are an issue.

IgnoranceIsStrength · 05/10/2021 18:37

FE college here but yes alarming numbers of student absences and also staff. It has taken out 2 whole departments since we have been back. There is another horrible bug as well so lots off while waiting for PCRs to come through. Remaining staff just drowning with cover and support.

lonelyplanet · 05/10/2021 18:40

I'm a primary teacher and we've been told our supply budget has run out and if staff absence continues we will need to cover classes between us. I guess by splitting classes (or coming in sick).

minipie · 05/10/2021 18:59

Not here

MavisGovis · 05/10/2021 19:37

@lonelyplanet

I'm a primary teacher and we've been told our supply budget has run out and if staff absence continues we will need to cover classes between us. I guess by splitting classes (or coming in sick).

My sister's head has said the same. The supply budget has been used already... and it's only October 😮

Needanewadventure2021 · 05/10/2021 19:56

It's worrying that they have no obligation to inform parents/carers. Surely they have a duty of care to staff and pupils. We currently have it and I am convinced its from my DS school. It was already in his year I have found out but we were told nothing. Its irresponsible

noblegiraffe · 05/10/2021 19:57

Blame the government, not the schools, it's their policy.