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Original poster

Safe space for school staff to talk about how they are feeling for next term…

287 replies

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 31/12/2021 07:34

I’m quite anxious about going back, although luckily managed to get the booster jab before Christmas. Lots of our families live hand to mouth so won’t regular test and can’t miss a week of work, which I do understand.

I’m also worried about exam classes having to sit exams as if nothing has happened.

I’m worried about lack of staff, week before Christmas hols our whole learning support team were off, with no cover.

I’m worried about getting ill and the hospitals are full.

I worry about having to send my kids into nursery where there’s a huge outbreak, but don’t have the option to keep them home.

I worry about bad behaviour as the SLT aren’t ‘policing’ the corridors at lesson change around sl behaviour is going to pot.

I also worry about school closures and kids mental health.

OP posts:
WhoTheyWas · 03/01/2022 13:32

I’m feeling worried and pissed off.

Due back at work tomorrow. I’m SLT & DSL. It’s already shaping up to be a hectic term, as we are due a full Ofsted inspection this term and, more importantly, there is SO much to do in terms of getting pupils back on track with their learning and emotional well-being/mental health.

No idea what this week will bring in terms of staff off with covid, and contingency planning can only go so far.

And wouldn’t you know it? Just got a positive LFT this morning! 😩.

No walk in PCRs available anywhere near me, so have to wait for a postal one. Even with the best case scenario that it arrives quickly, is processed quickly, and comes back negative, I won’t be at school this week.

No symptoms, so at least I can do some work from home. But I don’t want to be at home, and feel like I am letting the children and my colleagues down.

Government guidance to schools has been weak and too little too late at every stage of this pandemic. If our school has 25% of staff off, we will have to close. I can’t see how it would be safe or meet legal requirements to stay open.

chocolateisavegetable · 03/01/2022 16:41

Who that really sucks - I'm sorry Flowers

chocolateisavegetable · 03/01/2022 16:44

Noble you'll have to have bubbles within the hall then won't you? One class on the right at the back, two metres distant from another class on the left at the back etc. The Bobs will absolutely love it - what can possibly go wrong?

blameitonthecaffeine · 03/01/2022 17:23

Who that really sucks, I'm sorry. I haven't taken my LFT yet. It's awful, I feel so reluctant to do it. I don't have any symptoms but feel there's such a high risk of testing positive regardless.

I don't know if it's scientifically accurate or not but I have read that people who are asymptomatic are very unlikely to have a high enough viral load to pass it on. Anecdotally, that holds up in my experience. If it could be researched, proved and still apply to omicron, I think it would help so much if we could stop doing asymptomatic testing as staff. I think children should continue as they are so often asymptomatic and in such close contact with each other. But it could really help if adults (all working adults, not just schools) didn't need to.

Original poster
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 03/01/2022 18:13

Our SLT have been having email disagreements today about covid and I’m not sure they’ve realised that all staff have been included…!

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 03/01/2022 18:15

Oops!

FrippEnos · 03/01/2022 18:20

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Our SLT have been having email disagreements today about covid and I’m not sure they’ve realised that all staff have been included…!
I wish that I was at your school just for this.
WhoTheyWas · 03/01/2022 18:24

Ouch!@OnceuponaRainbow18

Nothing like a mistaken all-staff ‘cc’ on a management squabble for boosting staff confidence and morale! Grin

whittingtonmum · 03/01/2022 18:49

@WhoTheyWas So sorry to hear that. What a nightmare.

I can't believe Ofsted is still planning any inspections at all this term. Totally bonkers. They could fill in some of the staffing gaps this term.

I also think it's so shocking that schools are being properly kitted out with air purifiers & filters. 7000 for next month is a joke.

If you haven't yet signed the petition for funding for all schools to get air filters please do so here. We're nearly at 7000 signatures now at 10 000 the government has to respond petition.parliament.uk/petitions/595205

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 03/01/2022 19:17

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Our SLT have been having email disagreements today about covid and I’m not sure they’ve realised that all staff have been included…!
That's amazing!

We do all our squabbling on WhatsApp.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 03/01/2022 19:41

@OnceuponaRainbow18

Our SLT have been having email disagreements today about covid and I’m not sure they’ve realised that all staff have been included…!
That’s hilarious!
Pinkflask · 03/01/2022 21:21

Nice email from our principal stressing that the guidance is masks should be worn by students and therefore we are to remind them once at the start of lessons and then not say anything to anyone not wearing one thereafter. And that the guidance also says teachers shouldn’t deliver lessons on masks. So no fucker will be wearing one then.

Pinkflask · 03/01/2022 21:21

Deliver lessons in masks of course.

blameitonthecaffeine · 04/01/2022 00:56

Does it say teachers shouldn't Pinkflask or just that we don't have to? We've been told by our head that we must wear one to teach KS3, 4 and 5 but that we don't need to to teach KS1 and 2. She might just be trying to avoid children saying it's not fair if teachers don't wear one but it is very hard for me to teach my subjects effectively in one so I'm keen to ditch it if there's clear guidance that way.

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2022 06:45

Yeah we have the same wishywashy approach pink. The guidance says they must wear them on transport. That one in 'must'. And they don't.

JangolinaPitt · 04/01/2022 06:54

I go back to school today (secondary teacher) and we have a staff meeting first thing where we will be given the guidance.
I am expecting that we will be told to remind the kids of the mask guidance in lessons but hoping we staff are not mandated to wear them or police the kids wearing them in class.
A family member had Covid over Xmas but none of the rest of us caught it (daily LFTs all negative) and I have been mixing/socialising/partying/pubs/gigs indies si nce they were all allowed again so social distancing completely unnecessary.

Original poster
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 04/01/2022 07:02

Our head is saying it’s the tutors role to ensure all students wear a mask, those that can… so I’m
Assuming she wants them to be worn throughout the day?

Well bets of luck to everyone today, luckily we are starting with an INSET day, and very strict guidelines have been sent to us for the day…
Wonder how long it will last once kiddies in!

OP posts:
Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 07:28

My daughter school is firm and clear.

My own setting is wishy washy.
Good luck everyone SadI have to deal with my window closing and non mask wearing frustration this term.
The stress of staff and pupils not dressed properly complaining of cold has driven me mad. As I'm there in thermal layers desperate for fresh air and the red beeping co2 monitor laughed at and turned off.

Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 07:37

Hilarious, vaccine minister said talking to children they want too stop this virus and its important that children feel safe.
Oh that's OK then!

Interview said.. It's only guidance...

Newyearoldyou · 04/01/2022 07:39

Oh and it's important that retired staff feel safe, so that means testing and masks will make the them feel safe. ( vaccine minister)

blameitonthecaffeine · 04/01/2022 07:53

Good luck, everyone. Here we go.

Original poster
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 04/01/2022 14:52

We are missing 17 members of staff from our staff LFT this morning… including safeguarding lead and behaviour manager

OP posts:
chocolateisavegetable · 04/01/2022 15:04

@OnceuponaRainbow18

We are missing 17 members of staff from our staff LFT this morning… including safeguarding lead and behaviour manager
Presumably that's not too much of an issue, with all of the ex-teachers rocking up ...
Original poster
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 04/01/2022 15:25

@chocolateisavegetable

I’ve lost both my PPAs this week already…! Almost tempting to get covid myself!

OP posts:
chocolateisavegetable · 04/01/2022 15:34

OnceuponaRainbow18 Sad I do remember feeling like that several times before I left. It's actually quite scary when you start wondering whether you'd be better off catching it!