CV in Scotland

[LizzieMacQueen]

(This probably will get moved to the CV topic but thought I'd start one in Scotsnet anyway).

Does anyone have info as to where the Scottish cases are and whether these are 'community gained' or direct exposure from a Cat 1/2 place.

Any thoughts on the impact for our youngsters due to sit SQA exams next month?

My DS is in his highers year. 2 emails from school last week suggesting self isolation for kids returning from Italian holidays in half term but quiet since then.

Had an email from our high school/Midlothian council about the older kids. Mine is S3 so no idea what exactly they'll get to finish but hopefully this'll be a good thing.

"All Secondary Schools will be open to S4-6 Pupils only in order to complete any SQA mandatory coursework and assessments prior to the published deadlines. Please refer to individual High School Websites for further updates. We are planning a phased approach to distance learning however priority will be given to S4-S6 to begin with."

We're North Lanarkshire council and haven't had any other info yet

We had an email but it was in reference to Higher geography and history assignments being finished off. They're to go in next week.

@dementedpixie

We got this tonight

We are prioritising ensuring all pupils complete coursework, units and assignments in the coming weeks. We have been tackling this tirelessly of late. We intend to be in touch next week once a clear analysis has been concluded of who we need to invite in to complete tasks.

She might get back in to complete her art.

Drove through Linlithgow; cafes all have outdoor tables; all busy, ppl of all ages out and about 🙄

I cannot believe we kept the exams going through 2 world wars but can't run them now. I think they should have allowed the children to sit their higher, at least. Business haven't shut, people are still getting their hair cut, nails done, going to the pub. Why are our children being made to sacrifice for adults that aren't even prepared to give up a trip out? Children are least at risk but have been affected the most.

I just went down to our local small Tesco as nearly out of milk. There was loads of milk (and tattie scones 🤣), but toilet paper, meat, cleaning stuff, eggs etc aisles totally empty.

The Llyods pharmacy next door which is popular for picking up prescriptions is only letting one person in at a time, has a huge queue outside. Next door to Llyods is a sit in café open for business and busy 🤦‍♀️

I hope they do a full lockdown soon to control this.

Why are our children being made to sacrifice for adults that aren't even prepared to give up a trip out?

Because this is going to get much much worse in the coming weeks, especially as adults are not following the advice.

I agree, @TheNavigator - it wouldn't be too difficult to get the Highers and Advanced Highers exams done. With the schools closed, they have the classroom space and the staff to spread the candidates out between the classrooms, so they were all 2m apart.

If they could be a fly on the wall in schools today. Pupils pleading, asking what they can say or do to prove that they are worthy of a good grade. Teachers nipping into the book cupboard to reset their "game face" . Leavers bereft of the last days, proms chances to say goodbye. Primary kids perplexed and worried. Probationers sobbing not sure if they will be able to pay rent as the jobs they would have been applying for have all stalled. Teachers who have stayed away from elderly parents because we are too great a risk .

But it's fine to go for coffee. I wouldn't wish yesterday and today on anyone

it wouldn't be too difficult to get the Highers and Advanced Highers exams done.

🤦‍♀️

They didn't make this decision lightly, if it wasn't "too difficult" they would have done it. They know what is coming in the next few weeks as this pandemic ramps up, we just aren't listening.

@Lidlfix, I don't envy the position teachers have been put in to take on the task of not only supporting the students through this crisis but also to personally fairly grade them all. It is a huge responsibility.

Oops @Lidlfix I posted a supportive message to you in another thread by mistake and am clueless how to move it! You teachers are truly amazing.x

Teachers at both my DDs' primary and secondary been fantastic. I can confirm every 16/17 year old I know (loads and loads) is an unbearable stress head atm. I doubt they would have coped with 2/3 months segregated study and high stakes exams in the current climate. Mine at least, after a regulation full on strop to get it out her system, is now much much happier.

Definitely think the right decision to cancel exams and end the uncertainty.

Good to hear steps being taken to prioritise portfolios, assessment evidence etc. We are very fortunate that ours were all scheduled to be / and all are complete.

My kids said that several teachers were nearly in tears today, including Ds’s 30 something male maths teacher. I know that most of them really care about the kids and know how much these exams mean.

I know they will also be worried about how to get them from nat 5 level today to higher standard in time for next years exams without the 4 weeks teaching in June, because they really push then in maths and science.

Our school is staying open to S4- 6 who still have assignments/ portfolios to do - they have been given a timetable for this. I think it’s mostly the practical subjects that they can’t do at home. I think there’s also some music practical exams in some instruments .

Sobbing 6th years all over the place. especially the ones who have conditional offers that they now won’t get because their prelim marks weren’t up to scratch.

Another email today saying the S4-S6's will have a normal timetable next week and school buses running as normal. They only need stay until they have finished the work that needs to be done. So at least they have a chance to finish up and hopefully feel better about their grade chances iykwim.

I have let my 17 year old S5 boy spend all today playing Doom in his bedroom. He needs to work it all out of his system.

I was under the impression that new advice today was that no staff or pupils to be in schools at all after today. This came from both my own council and a teachers’ trade union.

That's not what's happening here.

Children of key workers are going in on Monday. I think they're still working out how many children and what do to with them - whether they are opening every school or a few on a rota.

Children who still have project work to do for their Nat5/Higher/Adv Higher portfolio are being supported to finish that, school will be open to let them in and assume teachers will be there to supervise.

Closed to everyone else.

And just a wee mention to everyone who wanted the schools closed, they are supposed to be socially isolating, not playing in a crowd of 20 in the street otherwise what was the point?

@PineappleDanish
Where are you? In a teacher in Edinburgh and we were originally told seniors could come in next week but that advice has now changed sadly.

Our LA has told us that all staff - teaching and support- are to be in school all of next week. No children at all allowed on the premises, even those of staff. So those working in education are deemed key workers, but there is nowhere for their own children to be looked after

Loopy you are right, Union guidance says no one to be in school unless you've been assigned a specific child caring responsibility.
It is dangerous to being people in for meetings or just to prepare work, this can be done from home.

My kids’ school is asking whether I am a key worker who needs care provided which will then indicate the number of staff needed. It is such a chicken and egg situation. If all teachers are called in then the demand for care then rockets. Surely teachers with no care commitments should be called on first? Btw I’d rather be working than in the house with my two for days on end!

Loopy I've posted exactly that elsewhere. There's no space for me to indicate that I only need the childcare if they make me come in!