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

[AntiMaskersAreTwats]

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

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot

I suspect you are right which will have a knock on effect when staffs own childrens schools are closed partially etc.

@DanglingMod

I don't think schools were ever closed when pubs were open? They were fully open to all in the Autumn lockdown last year and all the tier closure and reopened before everything bar essential shops last spring. March 8th, 2 weeks after Feb half term.

Summer term 2020 my high school child worked at home right untill they broke up for at end of July for summer Pubs where open while he was not in school.

Ah, yes. I was referencing last spring when a couple of posters said pubs opened before schools in lockdown three (but only 2nd school one).

To be honest thinking back to secondary school it would have been a dream come true to have remote learning. All of the terrible aspects of school removed and able to learn in a comfortable environment and simply focus on the material to learn.

For primary school, particularly the younger children, it simply does not work though. And for any parents who work it's totally impossible because it would require constant supervision and help. There is absolutely no way I can manage this, I hope it isn't suggested by our school, it is impossible in our circumstances.

Interesting that so many people have been contacted regarding devices. I only have the laptop that I use for work, none that my children could use. Nobody's asked us about this though. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@SweetPen

They want schools open at all costs. Great news!

At least one thing the government get right!

Great news that loads of people will put their health on the line and pay the cost just so others don't need to be inconvenienced. Schools should remain open but not 'at all costs' unless that involves the finances to ensure better protection for everyone within schools rather than just pretending it won't have an impact in schools.

Schools shouid never be shut again

@toomuchlaundry

At least schools don’t have the threat of Ofsted coming in the next couple of weeks as visits have been halted so schools can get their contingency plans in place (or Inspectors don’t want COVID for Christmas!)

No consolation to the schools who have had the joys of their presence in the last couple of weeks, though.

It’s very difficult.

Schools are mega mega transmission areas. The govt must know this from track and trace. They always ask you where you got it.

School is the only route that people I know who’ve had covid got it from.

1. dd brought it home from secondary school to me and dh. Me and dh were ill like utter bastards. Dd had 1xPfizer and me and dh 2xAZ. It would not have taken much more to hospitalise me. Couple of other parents at my kids’ school have also had it - from school.

2. my db is a teacher. In hospital 2 weeks so far, still there.

3. friend’s dd just brought it home from primary school.

I have a dc in Y11. He has mocks in January. I want him to be able to take his GCSEs. But not at the expense of teachers/parents being hospitalised. The shit my 40yo db has been through with covid is enough for ptsd.

I’ll support whatever the government decide. They are trying to do the right thing. It’s just very hard to determine what that is. It’s ridiculous to think that they are deliberately shitting on one group of people - it’s because it’s the least worst choice. And no, I did not vote for this government.

I agree @gsaoej

I think schools are unlikely to close again in the UK (and in the country where I live, probably zero, thank God).

If we did have another school closure, honestly, I'd be talking to my friends with kids in the same age group and arranging for the kids to go round each other houses, one per day, in a rota, so that only one parent in the group has to stop working on any given day to supervise the kids and help with their studies. That is kind of what me and a group of several friends wound up doing by the end of the 10 week schools closures we had over here in spring 2020. It massively improved the kids' studies, the adults' ability to work, and everyone's bloody mental health. There was never any full lockdown here, so there was no practical way to stop people "podding" the kids' education like this.

Yes, it does rather render the effect of the school closure minimal to nil, but if schools really did close again, well, I think I've kind of reached the "fuck it, I'm beyond caring" point, IYKWIM?

No, this is about how school will manage rising cases.

Virtual staff meetings, cancel any large mixing events etc. Regular lft. Ventilation, where they have lunches etc.

We've had to do this already and it's resulted in return to bubbles and if staff have an infected partner, they wfh. This has avoided a potential outbreak this week.

Government should fast track and offer boosters for school staff though.

Sorry to hear about your DB @gsaoej

Am I the only one whose child's school has repeatedly closed classes this term? The plans have never been wound down. We have one Class out currently with 9 positive cases.

Yes, school shutdown is a serious ppossibility again, as rates of infection rise.

@MarshaBradyo

Then again Bev and Ste off Facebook raging about our rights are probably bastions of logic and pragmatism to them so what can you do.

This type of stuff is so pointless and silly. I know it’s meant to be superior..

It's not a pointless or silly comment-it's cathartic. People who harp on about their rights without considering their responsibilities are so bloody prevalent in this country.

@gsaoej

It’s very difficult.

Schools are mega mega transmission areas. The govt must know this from track and trace. They always ask you where you got it.

School is the only route that people I know who’ve had covid got it from.

1. dd brought it home from secondary school to me and dh. Me and dh were ill like utter bastards. Dd had 1xPfizer and me and dh 2xAZ. It would not have taken much more to hospitalise me. Couple of other parents at my kids’ school have also had it - from school.

2. my db is a teacher. In hospital 2 weeks so far, still there.

3. friend’s dd just brought it home from primary school.

I have a dc in Y11. He has mocks in January. I want him to be able to take his GCSEs. But not at the expense of teachers/parents being hospitalised. The shit my 40yo db has been through with covid is enough for ptsd.

I’ll support whatever the government decide. They are trying to do the right thing. It’s just very hard to determine what that is. It’s ridiculous to think that they are deliberately shitting on one group of people - it’s because it’s the least worst choice. And no, I did not vote for this government.

Agree.

Not just primaries.

It's any warm body in front of a class or no warm body and sending year groups home in secondary right now, too.

@DanglingMod

Not just primaries.

It's any warm body in front of a class or no warm body and sending year groups home in secondary right now, too.

Some secondaries are hit hard but Primaries are worse off and that’s just the way it is. Zero mask wearing, no SD. Which before the siren goes off, I agree with, you can’t teach young children like that and no vaccination.

Some secondaries are finding issues but no where near on the level before and that’s because their cohorts are now vaccinated. Can’t get primary supply at all now. It’s getting worse too as less people yes and send poorly kids in. As you can see from posts on here, that’s all well and good until the teacher ends up long term sick, along with loads of other staff in the county.

It's not a pointless or silly comment-it's cathartic. People who harp on about their rights without considering their responsibilities are so bloody prevalent in this country.

Yes it is and children are part of society. Not just adults are affected as much as many only think about that level. Ie just their own perspective.

Well, we've only had masks a few days in secondary, most of the kids aren't taking it seriously anyway and there's also zero social distancing. Teachers are catching Covid in school on a daily basis in my place.

No supply available for either phase. It's definitely been just as bad in secondary as primary round here last few weeks.

There are no plans at my secondary school. I have not been looked after in any way - most pupils are not wearing masks, very few are vaccinated and have to walk along with crowds every day. Have done right through the pandemic. Learning walks etc are still happening (whether or not SLT turn up is another matter).

I haven't had Covid yet and as I live in Wales I have to wait to be called for my booster. If I have Covid I will not go to work until I feel up to it and I won't be setting work if I'm too ill. It's not always just a mild disease - I have colleagues and family members younger than me who have really suffered. One has lost her livelihood.

Neither the government not the public at large give a shit about us. I did everything in my power to deliver engaging online lessons and supervise those still in school during the lockdown - no thanks, not even a priority vaccine. I will be looking after number one from here on.

@MarshaBradyo

It's not a pointless or silly comment-it's cathartic. People who harp on about their rights without considering their responsibilities are so bloody prevalent in this country.

Yes it is and children are part of society. Not just adults are affected as much as many only think about that level. Ie just their own perspective.

I have two primary children of my own! I'm a cev primary teacher. I'm not saying schools should close. My family has suffered the harsh effects of the last two years just like many others. Of course children need to be at school, but it comes at a cost. Just read the posts directly above me. There is no easy answer to this.

Oh and when I get the daily news that such and such has Covid, there's no longer any reference to my risk as a close contact. It's just a request to set work, on top of everything else.

Oh, absolutely. School does not count as close contact for either adults or children.