Considering whether schools might close in Janl?

[PigeonLittle]

Trying to create a title so as not to panic anyone!

What are your guesses, will schools close again?

@INeedNewShoes

I haven't RTFT but the rate at which Omicron is spreading, so many of the kids will be catching it in these last few days of school that maybe it'll be over the hump by January in this particular section of the population?

If it's doubling every couple of days everyone in the country will have it by Christmas day!

If it's doubling every couple of days everyone in the country will have it by Christmas day!

Some scientists seem to be encouraging this approach - let omicron spread quickly through the population to become the dominant strain. Assuming it only causes mild disease, of course.

Ours has been delayed by a week so kids back in on 10th online learning the week before

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Ours has been delayed by a week so kids back in on 10th online learning the week before

Last January, we were told my ds school would do online learning until the 18th January then what really happened is schools were closed until march.

It makes me so angry. We were told they had to get the vulnerable vaccinated and then schools could go back...now the whole country has had a chance to be double or triple vaxxed and we're still talking about closing schools. When will it end?! Seriously!

It makes me so angry. We were told they had to get the vulnerable vaccinated and then schools could go back...now the whole country has had a chance to be double or triple vaxxed and we're still talking about closing schools. When will it end?! Seriously!

I agree with you.

But other than on Mumsnet people aren't talking about closing schools. I honestly don't think the Government will close schools (along with non essential retail, gyms, hairdressers etc). They'd also have to offer a furlough payment - it's not going to happen imo.

I agree with comedycook and Blubells
Closing schools, knowing now how damaging it is, would be entirely unacceptable.
As another poster pointed it, closing schools generally is entirely different to temporarily closing due to staff sickness, which might happen in your local GP practice, your dental surgery, your local shops etc - can happen anywhere. Closing generally- absolutely not

I still have no idea why schools didn't reopen in the summer term of 2020 when case numbers were low.
Because the government would let us.

*would not

@MrsHamlet

I still have no idea why schools didn't reopen in the summer term of 2020 when case numbers were low. Because the government would let us.

Yes I'm talking about the government! I know the schools have no choice. Why on earth didn't the government reopen them in the summer term?

They did to some if you were on the right year

As non KW dc in not right year it has been ridiculous

DS was in the right year. Three weeks of blended learning. 6 days in total. More than some, but not exactly extensive. They should all have opened.

This thread has really made me feel better thank you.

Far from trying to scaremonger as accused by one poster it was clear this was a conversation about school closures. It's been warming to read what little public spirit there is for another school lockdown. I've enjoyed reading views from other parents and teachers, thank you. I will sleep a little easier tonight!

@Dghgcotcitc

Teachers will call for it, whether they are successful is anyone’s guess

Sources? Neither me or any of the teachers I work with or know want to teach from home- it's fucking miserable.

I've had texts from both my kids schools over the last few days to prepare for Home learning. We've had reminders of log ins, access points etc.

@VikingOnTheFridge

DS was in the right year. Three weeks of blended learning. 6 days in total. More than some, but not exactly extensive. They should all have opened.

I agree it was a huge error.

I hope not because I will probably have to provide child care, so that our daughter can work full time. Despite being vulnerable in different ways I don't see an alternative really. It could break me as my elderly dad has just had a severe stroke and my mum has dementia. The very idea makes me want to sob in a corner.

@lollipopsandrainbows

I've had texts from both my kids schools over the last few days to prepare for Home learning. We've had reminders of log ins, access points etc.

Yes, because it happens we'll all get little to no notice. It's not because we're expecting it; it's because we're trying to be prepared.

My son attends secondary school. He has to go in on the 7th of January, for a covid test, then he starts back on the 10th.
I am hoping they keep open, as he is in year 10, so doing his mock exams.
They are supposedly going back, to how the mark the exams (pre covid times) so if they are going to shut, they need to think about exam results again.

DS who is a teacher says some schools are sending pupils home with kit in case they have to go online in January and can’t go back to school

@PigeonLittle

This thread has really made me feel better thank you.

Far from trying to scaremonger as accused by one poster it was clear this was a conversation about school closures. It's been warming to read what little public spirit there is for another school lockdown. I've enjoyed reading views from other parents and teachers, thank you. I will sleep a little easier tonight!

I have to say though that whether teachers or parents find remote teaching hard, that will have little bearing on what decisions the government will make!

@PigeonLittle

This thread has really made me feel better thank you.

Far from trying to scaremonger as accused by one poster it was clear this was a conversation about school closures. It's been warming to read what little public spirit there is for another school lockdown. I've enjoyed reading views from other parents and teachers, thank you. I will sleep a little easier tonight!

There was a UQ on it in Parliament today - a lot of MPs spoke out against closures strongly.

My son is in Year 9. His school just closed for Xmas 2 days early as they have barely any staff and plenty of confirmed cases amongst the kids too. He's also now not due to go back til the 10th jan as they're staggering returns and requesting negative tests before going back. I think they're just bracing us for a non-return to be honest.

I'm a teacher and certainly don't want it.
I think given that people are still going on holidays etc that school closures won't happen, holiday cancellations, theatres, restaurants, pubs etc will go first...and that isn't happening as it hits the economy.
As a teacher, what I do want to see is the option of vaccinations for children. Whoever said numbers in young children aren't going up clearly haven't been into any of the primary schools I work in or have heard of, becasue numbers most certainly are increasing in ages 5 to 11 from the cases I know.
As a teacher this is really really tough as I'm now teaching in person plus making every lesson accessible for children to do from home too. It's a nightmare and increases my workload. It's also a nightmare for parents who are trying to work and help their children because while an 8 year old can look at the slides, read them and access them and complete their work unaided, the 5 year olds I teach rely heavily on their parents. We all have a part to play in keeping schools face to face. Get your vaccinations, get your boosters, and hopefully get your children vaccinated too so we can slow this spread.

I hope not although DD2 would be happy. DD1 is doing GCSEs this summer and her year are already at a disadvantage because they missed so much school last year
I didn't think they would until Parents Evening when her English teacher said at least 3 times "if the exams go ahead..."
I really hope they don't close but the rates are very high in DDs school.

@mdh2020

DS who is a teacher says some schools are sending pupils home with kit in case they have to go online in January and can’t go back to school

This is absolutely terrifying. Cannot bear the thought of this. My Ds is year 9...if they close again, it will mean he hasn't had a full year of in classroom secondary school...