So when are we going back to school?

[RaraRachael]

I was under the impression that NS had announced that all schools in Scotland would start back on August 11th. I have had surveys from my local authority asking when we would like the week's holiday in lieu and if we want 1 or 2 in-service days before we start back in August.

Last night a colleague posted a piece showing all the start dates from the different authorities - some were 10th August, !1th, 12th up to the 18th and 19th.

I am totally confused

So NI commited to opening full time when they return? I predict English schools will be next with this announcement, probably nicely timed for end of school year, so parents can enjoy the summer with their children (probably in some childcare settings, such as kids clubs) and know they won’t have to seriously consider leaving their job in the next few months to cope with blended learning.

Yet, here we are in Scotland with no such commitment, schools about to break up next week (and here we’ll only find out our school days next week). People may have to leave their jobs over the summer in preparation for August onwards, yet the BL model might only be in place for a month or so? If ScotGov know already or even envisage that to be the case, they need to tell us now before the summer break.
I don’t for one second point any fingers at teachers in all of this, I have friends who are under enormous pressure when they should be winding down and enjoying end of year activities with their pupils. Seriously, what the actual 🤬 is going on here? This is now seriously impacting decisions families have to make about their future.

1m distance won't allow schools to open full time, not unless N Irish classrooms are particularly large! Pupils normally sit with a 2cm distance from their table mate, and about half a metre from the next table.

Yes, they’ve commited to it today- even sensibly moving back the return date to enable extra time to sort it.

DD will be choosing her subjects for S3 in Jan/Feb

What the hell will she put on that options form?

Ds has already chosen his S3 subjects and just has to assume they are all OK. He has been moved into his S3 classes on Teams. Dd is in limbo waiting for Highers results and we have no idea what's happening with her S6 subjects as she would need to go to 2 other schools for her advanced higher classes

Just wondering, given the issue transport is causing for rural schools why can't the pupils be asked to wear face coverings on the school buses which might allow 1m distancing or similar. Anyone heard anything about that? Since it's going to be mandatory on public transport anyway

oft, good luck trying to enforce masks on school buses!

I was talking to someone who is a primary head who says she has a strong sense that she’s implementing all the current plans for nothing as they will change, here’s hoping!

Oh god, masks, more bloody tokenism and virtue signalling by the SG

Not saying it'd be easy but it might alleviate some pressures as currently the bus my daughter gets (72 seater) will only be able to accommodate 18 with SD so it obviously had an impact on how many they can transport to school each day

has

PKC have said buses at 25% capacity.

So on those rare occasions your children are scheduled to attend, you can take a couple of hours out of your working day to do the school run.

I've made a few enquries into tutors today. They got back to me pretty quickly.

For maths, english and science, it would be about £75 a week. FFS

DD has agreed to give it a go though, which is great, but I don't know if I want to spend £75 a week!

In response to the poster who asked about PSHE, etc, in my school, certainly, PSHE, core PE and core RE have been suspended in the current timetable.

Ds has chosen PE as a Nat5. Don't know how that will work out

That's a relief. I'd be pissed off to send her to school just for PE!

Right, we've booked Maths and English tutors.

Struggling to find a Science tutor that doesn't sound like a total wierdo in their profile (I hate braggers and 3rd person) or who isn't ridiculously expensive - one is charging £60 an hour! These tutors are all going to be quids in!

Hopefully this won't be the full year.

If the English tutor can get my DD to actually love English then I will love her forever in turn.

Parents in SCOTLAND: Sunday Times Scotland request about post-COVID schools www.mumsnet.com/Talk/media_requests/3941500-Parents-in-SCOTLAND-Sunday-Times-Scotland-request-about-post-COVID-schools

Has anyone seen this. Thread in media requests.

Glasgow school here. My S5 will have 170
minutes of 1 subject per day 5 afternoons a week (he’s doing 5 Highers) Some of his S5 pals have got the morning shift and are moaning about having to get up in the morning My S2 will also be in for 5 afternoons having a total of 140 minutes of teaching each day. I like the fact that they’ll be in every day. I don’t know if this is a Glasgow-wide approach or just our school.

170 mins would be the equivalent of over three normal periods - that's a long shift!

These tutors are all going to be quids in!

Some tutors are also teachers. If these tutors are working in the daytime then they obviously wont be but otherwise, just as in normal times, the tutors might be teachers supplementing their income. Not saying this is a bad thing though as at least they should be well up on what needs to be taught for the exams - if any.

We're still waiting to hear in East Dunbartonshire.

Wahtever they decide it's not enough - I won't be happy with anything less than full time.

I'm impressed with 170 mins per subject per week. My son in S5 will get 70 minutes. It is shit.

I have to say, timetabling all the exam subjects into blocks and accommodating everyone’s choices is a nightmare, when you think about it. I would be happy with that outcome Living, given the circumstances.

We are finding out on Monday apparently. I am hoping it is organised alphabetically so that primary-school aged DS is with his friends (same surname letter).

PKC primary have said emphasis IN school for literacy, numeracy and “personal health & well-being”, other stuff to be covered during “blended”.

East Dunbartonshire is supposed to be telling parents on Monday. I think its one of the last to confirm plans and as school finishes on Weds it only gives parents 1 or 2 days to speak to teachers before they finish.