If workplaces are planning on a 25% absence rate then how on earth are we all expecting schools to carry on as normal ?

[Timetobuckup]

I have just been reading in the BBC website that the gov are telling businesses to plan for a quarter of their workforce to be absent .
There is no way schools / colleges will manage with that amount of staff out.

I work in a secondary school and had a pcr this morning , my teen ds is positive and I am keeping fingers and toes crossed I am negative but not holding out much hope.
We are doing mass testing on Tues and I am really interested to see how many have to go home.

And good point re exams. How on earth are this years year 11s and year 13s meant to sit exams when they will face likely disruption. That is unfair for teachers and pupils alike. It is insane that this has not been looked at.

@Blubells

What about the next wave though?

Perhaps I'm too optimistic, but I'm hoping that the milder omicron variant together with increased vaccine and natural immunity may shift this pandemic towards a milder virus that becomes endemic

I want this to be true

I would much rather have my children at home doing quality remote learning than jam-packed in a room with children from other classes and supervised by a poor TA!

@Appuskidu

I would much rather have my children at home doing quality remote learning than jam-packed in a room with children from other classes and supervised by a poor TA!

Me too!

@Viciouslybashed

And good point re exams. How on earth are this years year 11s and year 13s meant to sit exams when they will face likely disruption. That is unfair for teachers and pupils alike. It is insane that this has not been looked at.

It has been very carefully considered - by our SLT.

By the government - less evidence of clear thought.

@Appuskidu

I would much rather have my children at home doing quality remote learning than jam-packed in a room with children from other classes and supervised by a poor TA!

Me too but the government doesn’t seem to want to give us a say, we are only their parents after all!

@Appuskidu

I would much rather have my children at home doing quality remote learning than jam-packed in a room with children from other classes and supervised by a poor TA!

So would I, if I was actually able to be at home during the day, but I'm a single parent and have to go out to work. Lose lose situation.

that makes homeschooling with graduate parents look like a much better option though, not to mention safer

What about the kids of parents who aren't graduates? The kids of parents who aren't literate? The kids of parents who can't read and write in English?

So would I, if I was actually able to be at home during the day, but I'm a single parent and have to go out to work. Lose lose situation

In a crisis ‘emergency’ situation like this, it might make sense to give us the choice. Those of us who don’t want their kids packed into the hall with 60 others with a TA, could choose could keep their children at home.

@Howshouldibehave

So would I, if I was actually able to be at home during the day, but I'm a single parent and have to go out to work. Lose lose situation

In a crisis ‘emergency’ situation like this, it might make sense to give us the choice. Those of us who don’t want their kids packed into the hall with 60 others with a TA, could choose could keep their children at home.

Agree that if it comes to that then parents should be given a choice.

mumsneedwine lovely to get your input
Do I detect a tiny hint of sarcasm there?

@herecomesthsun I didn't doubt slt and teachers are across it was more looking towards govt to have an actual plan that will be fair.

Agree about parental choice but judging by the number of parents who declared themselves ‘key workers’ last time I suspect the schools will still be busy.

My reasoning would be for older primary dc and secondary dc to be taught on line like many Educational settings have.
That means a register, dc who are not present get reported and phoned.
Ie running a tight ship so dc can't dissappear.

Priorty into school for exam pupils who can have more space.

Probably a rota system so the others can go into schools at least one night day a week to socialise.

Children are not going to be taught properly via supply teachers or cover staff or ta's

@angstridden2

Agree about parental choice but judging by the number of parents who declared themselves ‘key workers’ last time I suspect the schools will still be busy.

Well, unfortunately many people can't work alongside helping with schoolwork. Not everyone has that kind of flexibility. I'd love to be able to have the time to do it but I don't, I'm not home in the day.

Wax if those of us who want to keep them home are allowed to and it reduces the numbers in school, the chances of it staying open increase. And that helps you.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Wax if those of us who want to keep them home are allowed to and it reduces the numbers in school, the chances of it staying open increase. And that helps you.

Exactly. I do resent the inference that children do not receive education at home, it might not be the standard of a fully operational classroom environment but it’s insulting to parents to insinuate that it’s better for children to be piled high in a school hall supervised by someone who is actually qualified to run the office rather than teach children.

Well let’s just hope those parents who have the time and luxury of teaching their own kids at home, do the right thing and let school places go to kids of parents who simply can’t supervise due to having to work etc

@FanGirlX

that makes homeschooling with graduate parents look like a much better option though, not to mention safer

What about the kids of parents who aren't graduates? The kids of parents who aren't literate? The kids of parents who can't read and write in English?

Will they do any better in the hall with the dinner lady?

@Twinklingstarface

Well let’s just hope those parents who have the time and luxury of teaching their own kids at home, do the right thing and let school places go to kids of parents who simply can’t supervise due to having to work etc

There is no option for them to do that. The government want parents fined if they keep their children off.

Can't they choose to homeschool?

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Wax if those of us who want to keep them home are allowed to and it reduces the numbers in school, the chances of it staying open increase. And that helps you.

Yes, absolutely it would be good to give parents the choice. It's just frustrating that not everyone recognises that some people don't have a choice, I wouldn't particularly want DS to be in a hall with a dinner lady getting no education, but if I want to be able to work and pay my mortgage then I literally have no other option.

Unfortunately my younger dc school didn't teach her at all. They met twice a day for the most pointless quiz.

My older dc first school also did crap all but where I work, we got on line, and fully operational in days.
Any dc who didn't turn up were chased.

My older dd is in a new place school now again a setting that got on line in days and didn't mess around.
Where there is a will there is a way.

I

No Blu I am quite unwell and work reduced hours to prevent me getting iller. I can juggle home teaching when I absolutely have to but I can't do it long term because I can't provide a full learning environment e.g. going out on trips or meeting groups.