Email from DfE to Headteachers. Schools prepped to shut again?

[AntiMaskersAreTwats]

Do you think this means it likely schools will shut again?

I think it's really unlikely schools will close again, and I really hope they don't. But then I don't want to see pubs etc close again too and do get annoyed at the posts on here saying 'how dare they close schools when pubs are open' etc. This is people's livelihoods as well. Nothing should be closed at this point.

I don't want my DC to miss out on any more education. I'm a single parent who works full time and I cannot homeschool, I just can't. My mental health is shot because of my abusive ex and the pandemic. I'm so sad to think of my DC experience compared to my own. It's just not fair on them.

@LumosSolem

I think it's really unlikely schools will close again, and I really hope they don't. But then I don't want to see pubs etc close again too and do get annoyed at the posts on here saying 'how dare they close schools when pubs are open' etc. This is people's livelihoods as well. Nothing should be closed at this point.

I don't want my DC to miss out on any more education. I'm a single parent who works full time and I cannot homeschool, I just can't. My mental health is shot because of my abusive ex and the pandemic. I'm so sad to think of my DC experience compared to my own. It's just not fair on them.

I understand Lumo

I saw a link on here to a Bill backed by Children’s Commissioner to make changes - harder to close, deemed essential infrastructure etc, but not sure what the process is.

Contingency framework isn't for shutting schools necessarily. DfE have been clear anything and everything should happen before that point - safeguarding let alone the economy.

You should read (if you can) all my bullshit posts, you may learn a thing or two 😉

Yep, might be useful if I wanted to understand the kind of person who is unable to look at more than one aspect of any situation or have empathy for others. Or general doom-mongering I suppose.

Schools won't shut this time. The news about the variant tends towards the optimistic.
Unvaccinated teenagers might need to take daily tests though.

@LumosSolem

I think it's really unlikely schools will close again, and I really hope they don't. But then I don't want to see pubs etc close again too and do get annoyed at the posts on here saying 'how dare they close schools when pubs are open' etc. This is people's livelihoods as well. Nothing should be closed at this point.

I don't want my DC to miss out on any more education. I'm a single parent who works full time and I cannot homeschool, I just can't. My mental health is shot because of my abusive ex and the pandemic. I'm so sad to think of my DC experience compared to my own. It's just not fair on them.

I mentioned that pubs should close first. My high school child was forced to work from school while pubs where still merrily open. Yes it would be a great shame for anything to close but if it's a choice between pubs and schools then schools should be priority. Schools not an optional extra it's an essential service and should stay open like hospitals.

@Regulus

My MAT is checking everyone that needs laptops etc has one, is making sure everyone can access teams etc, teachers are planning for next year as if they are in school but making sure it can be delivered remotely. Do we think we will shut again, no. Do we realise its a possibility, yes. If we are instructed to close we want our students to have a seemless transition and the best available home learning.

My dd1's college are preparing for movement to online. Nothing has been said dd2s primary and lots still happening (parents attending playd etc) though a couple of upcoming events cancelled as a precautionary measure.

I mentioned that pubs should close first. My high school child was forced to work from school while pubs where still merrily open. Yes it would be a great shame for anything to close but if it's a choice between pubs and schools then schools should be priority. Schools not an optional extra it's an essential service and should stay open like hospitals.

Nothing should close. Peoples lives and livelihoods aren't 'optional' extras. I don't support the closure of pubs any more than I support the closure of schools.

My 6 and 8 year olds at the time had virtually no education in the January lockdown- because I was working full time from home and my job took priority. I was just glad I didn't have to worry about actual childcare and they were at least safe. The 6 year old in particular could do very little schooling by themselves. Their father is utterly useless. And my own mental health was absolutely down the drain following lockdowns/a hideous separation and ongoing abuse from my ex in any way he still can. I don't really care if anyone thinks I'm shit or I should have done more- I literally could not. I was at the point of breakdown. Our DC should be in school and no one's business should be destroyed anymore at this stage either.

Can I suggest you stay off the Coronavirus board for a while, you are only adding to your worries. Yes it’s going to be a tough few months but you reading about it all the time is not going to help you at all and whether you like it or not divisive opinions will be discussed here.

I don't really have worries related to coronavirus @Thewiseoneincognito, unlike you and many others on here. I am not worried in the slightest about it- hence my complete lack of support for any restrictions above and beyond what we have now. And my refusal to comply going forward with anything beyond what is out of my control. Things may close, but I'll never stay away from friends/family again.

Don't pretend you are one of the reasonable posters who may have a different opinion to others on lockdowns. You deliberately try to shit stir and wind people up with your descriptions of what life will continue to be like going forward. I shouldn't rise to it because like I said- it is bullshit- you only have to see the difference in responses on here now compared to 18 months ago to see the number of people willing to have their lives put on hold is far far fewer. I'm literally worried about nothing except for my children actually being able to have a good education- I imagine you think it would be acceptable for DC to learn remotely forever more but thankfully you are in a tiny minority.

@LumosSolem

I mentioned that pubs should close first. My high school child was forced to work from school while pubs where still merrily open. Yes it would be a great shame for anything to close but if it's a choice between pubs and schools then schools should be priority. Schools not an optional extra it's an essential service and should stay open like hospitals.

Nothing should close. Peoples lives and livelihoods aren't 'optional' extras. I don't support the closure of pubs any more than I support the closure of schools.

My 6 and 8 year olds at the time had virtually no education in the January lockdown- because I was working full time from home and my job took priority. I was just glad I didn't have to worry about actual childcare and they were at least safe. The 6 year old in particular could do very little schooling by themselves. Their father is utterly useless. And my own mental health was absolutely down the drain following lockdowns/a hideous separation and ongoing abuse from my ex in any way he still can. I don't really care if anyone thinks I'm shit or I should have done more- I literally could not. I was at the point of breakdown. Our DC should be in school and no one's business should be destroyed anymore at this stage either.

I don't support pubs closing either. But if it's a choice between pubs and schools then of course pubs should close. My kids in high school and this is the third school year of possible restrictions. We cannot place pubs over education again.

What is the bloody end game here?

I’m going to assume you are looking for something other than the obvious “to manage a global pandemic”

@Plumbear2 I think as many of us as possible should make it clear that we don't support anything shutting and not actually suggest that there should be a choice. And make it clear that only a tiny minority of us think that incognito's vision of the world is actually feasible. I hope your DC is managing ok- I feel so much for teenagers and what a shit time it's been for them. It's been shit in a different way for younger ones and at least they have some time to catch up. I hope that at some point I have the energy to be bloody amazing and do loads for their education myself.

It’s all about bubbles etc rather than closing. Every measure to keep a school open.

You're reading far too much into what is sensible advice that every company and institution will be bearing in mind behind the scenes, OP.

They would all be slated for not having plans in place for an ever-changing situation. This is just standard stuff and such a knee-jerk and panicky 'what does it mean???!!!' reaction to sensible planning for any eventuality, is just silly.

I think it is entirely possible/probable that there will need to be localised school closures of a class or school level in (what I hope) is one of the final variant/waves of this.

When DS school got hit the lets push through this was detrimental I think to all a sensible closure on a class/year/level would have not only stopped spread but enabled those at home to access classes. That makes sense.

A wider closure doesnt because if we have learnt one thing it is that is goes in waves areas peak and drop. Being able to control it better at a local level is a good idea.

Going into a lockdown isnt

@rrhuth

'outbreak plans' means local public health advice or lots of cases in a school.

The government has done nothing to prevent it spreading rapidly in school, the absolute fucking cunts.

They infected loads of kids over autumn term, only to infect them again with Omicron after Christmas.

Shut the schools - outrage Keep the schools open - outrage Suggest school be prepared - outrage School carry on - outrage

They've worded it badly - contingency plan not outbreak plan. Nothing new there, just more planning.....sigh.

@Mybalconyiscracking

I will March this time, enough is enough! What is the bloody end game here?

This. I have been compliant and followed rules throughout but I will be on the streets protesting if they try and close schools again. No more.

Contingency plans incorporate a range of measures to deal with outbreaks, with closure of bubbles or whole schools as a last resort. I work in a primary school and we had a serious outbreak a few weeks ago (more than half the children in 3 year groups were infected and there were several cases in all other year groups). The school sought advice from PHE and were advised not to close any year groups and to use other measures instead. I have a feeling that schools will continue to be discouraged from taking this action.

Our school have moved to a new online learning platform and have sent out all the details, plus one simple task to ascertain all students have access.

They have made it clear, it's for people isolating but did mention it would also be the system used if there is another national lockdown (small caveat that they didn't expect there would be)

I have 3 kids and one laptop. I work from home on said laptop.

I can't and won't be able to effectively homeschool all of mine. It would be my tipping point!!

If schools shut my kids are fucked.

Our local primary school is closing from today as too many staff are off ill and they cant get any cover for next week.