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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

School return

55 replies

WoodstockJ · 31/12/2021 09:58

With so many sectors facing staff shortages, we can assume that schools are going to face significant challenges next week and beyond.
Are there any teachers out there who know what kind of approach we might expect? Is it likely that we will go to blended learning plans?
In terms of senior phase - if there is any significant period of blended learning, in addition to the inevitable return to repeated periods of pupil isolation, surely the exams couldn’t go ahead due to both the loss of learning but also the greatest impacts on pupils in areas facing the highest infection rates and staff/pupil absence. I can imagine we will see some school closures too.

OP posts:
loveablequalities · 31/12/2021 10:18

We await SQA's thoughts on this with great interest. Currently they are following a policy of sticking their fingers in their ears, shutting their eyes and humming.

liveforsummer · 31/12/2021 10:28

They might let alt know the day before we go back - if we're lucky

liveforsummer · 31/12/2021 10:29

We already know put in service day is work from home though which seems pointless. Not safe for staff only to be in but safe for all staff and all pupils the next day?!

Original poster
WoodstockJ · 31/12/2021 10:37

I thought you might all say that! And I did read recently that the decision to hold exams could change as late as March!
So much uncertainty for schools and young people. I’m not sure how much more of this we can all take.

OP posts:
Groovee · 31/12/2021 11:23

Just had an email from my LA to say teaching, ELC and support staff are classed as essential workers so get priority for PCRs.

Wonder if this means we'll not isolate like the NHS as long as you test on LFTs

liveforsummer · 31/12/2021 11:28

@Groovee

Just had an email from my LA to say teaching, ELC and support staff are classed as essential workers so get priority for PCRs.

Wonder if this means we'll not isolate like the NHS as long as you test on LFTs

I've just had that too - don't think it mean much apart from that when it's busy they'll hold back some test slots. I've seen pimple it even be able to book priority slots in the last couple of days though
Lidlfix · 31/12/2021 12:03

Remember breaking your isolation following negative tests is voluntary . My SLT have already made it clear we are under no pressure to return early . I am wary of having an infectious condition in my household and returning to a environment where there is a significant amount of young people who don't have full vaccination protection. My DD was negative for days and was pretty sick with Covid, she'd only had one jag.

Iwantthesummersun · 31/12/2021 12:05

@Groovee

Just had an email from my LA to say teaching, ELC and support staff are classed as essential workers so get priority for PCRs.

Wonder if this means we'll not isolate like the NHS as long as you test on LFTs

I mentioned this on another thread somewhere. Yes it does. I don’t know how I feel about that tbh or how willing I would be to do it either.
Groovee · 31/12/2021 12:34

I've had 2 colleagues both test positive on day 10 post exposure. So I am concerned about having to return early.

We had returned to bubbles and in classes for lunches too before the holidays.

Original poster
WoodstockJ · 31/12/2021 13:32

Even with the reduced isolation, there will presumably be lots of infected staff, and school staff may have to take time off to be at home with their own isolating children even if they themselves can return to work.
I know of a few teens who have been pretty poorly with covid so I think this will need to be monitored very closely.
I fear that we are in for a very disrupted period and one that’s very difficult for schools, pupils and parents to plan for.

OP posts:
neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:43

I'm absolutely dreading it.
Infections are sure to be fuelled by all the mixing that the children will have been doing over Christmas and especially New Year.
Im not seeing extra mitigations in the class.
Its all the same as before. Basically open your windows and wear a mask. No indoor P.E. That is the only change.

neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:46

@WoodstockJ

Even with the reduced isolation, there will presumably be lots of infected staff, and school staff may have to take time off to be at home with their own isolating children even if they themselves can return to work. I know of a few teens who have been pretty poorly with covid so I think this will need to be monitored very closely. I fear that we are in for a very disrupted period and one that’s very difficult for schools, pupils and parents to plan for.
Totally agree. I'm not a fan of online learning but at least if they gave time to vaccinate the kids. I mean my daughter is due her jab on the 18th Jan. She most likely will have caught it before then. My other ds is still waiting on his appointment. He is a year younger. My dd who is in primary wont have any protection. She has had one virus after another lately.
mapleleavesreturn · 31/12/2021 14:47

Much as I'm dreading the schools not going back, my dds' lovely teachers have all mostly had covid at least once, I cant help thinking they'll all be dreading getting it again at the start of term if they escaped christmas isolating.

neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:47

I work in school too...
Just dreading it.

neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:48

@mapleleavesreturn

Much as I'm dreading the schools not going back, my dds' lovely teachers have all mostly had covid at least once, I cant help thinking they'll all be dreading getting it again at the start of term if they escaped christmas isolating.
Ive never had it! Not that I know of but I am sure to get it this time round.
neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:49

@Groovee

I've had 2 colleagues both test positive on day 10 post exposure. So I am concerned about having to return early.

We had returned to bubbles and in classes for lunches too before the holidays.

I dont think this is enough. We need some hepa filters in each class.
neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 14:53

I am almost 95% sure we will be going back as planned,
N.S. seems to think the measures in place that she asked for [Co2 monitors] means that schools are safe!
We found out about the Co2 monitors in our class after a box appeared.
Told they were results were centralised to the Local Authority.
How can I make a judgment that my class has adequate ventillation?

Iwantthesummersun · 31/12/2021 15:16

@neveradullmoment99

I am almost 95% sure we will be going back as planned, N.S. seems to think the measures in place that she asked for [Co2 monitors] means that schools are safe! We found out about the Co2 monitors in our class after a box appeared. Told they were results were centralised to the Local Authority. How can I make a judgment that my class has adequate ventillation?
Our monitors are were installed in our rooms for one day in October. They were then taken to another school and never seen again. We will be retuning to bubbles and lunch in classrooms.
loveablequalities · 31/12/2021 15:22

I have a co2 monitor in my classroom and it's usually red. No idea how that information is recorded or used. A box has been ticked.

Haudyourwheesht · 31/12/2021 15:26

Schools aren't safe. But it is felt that the potential harms are less than the harm caused by children not being in school. We don't even have an inservice day so goodness knows what would happen if they made a spontaneous decision to close schools. I can't see it happening this time, mind you.

neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 15:32

@loveablequalities

I have a co2 monitor in my classroom and it's usually red. No idea how that information is recorded or used. A box has been ticked.
This exactly. Noone knows!
neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 15:33

@Haudyourwheesht

Schools aren't safe. But it is felt that the potential harms are less than the harm caused by children not being in school. We don't even have an inservice day so goodness knows what would happen if they made a spontaneous decision to close schools. I can't see it happening this time, mind you.
I cannot see that happening either. There were no indications in school for us. Saying that, another teacher I know said they were planning for it.
ecceromani · 31/12/2021 15:37

I can't see schools shutting but I do think they'll change the whole household isolation rules or it's going to be so disruptive to education.
That being said I still think January will be shit show. School staff get your flack jackets and hard hats on and off you guys go over the top againConfused

Elieza · 31/12/2021 15:40

They will do everything the can to keep teachers in school because they can keep the kids in school during the day and allow parents out to work.

If there is no childcare provision parents will be unable to work and demand furlough, and there’s no money left to pay for that.

Damon sure the people making these decisions aren’t surrounded by a whole building worth of unvaccinated small people.

neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 15:47

It is actually just so stressful in school. Watching I don't get too close to the kids, wondering if I have cought it and other members of staff who are much younger not really bothering to wear a mask or distance from anyone.

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