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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:
neveradullmoment99 · 31/12/2021 15:48

caught not cought!

Uhno · 31/12/2021 15:57

I’m primary and also dreading it. I’ve never known so many people to have it.

The logistics are stressing me already too. We’re stretched so thinly and there’s no supply.

Original poster
WoodstockJ · 31/12/2021 16:00

Thanks folks- my conclusion is that January will be a shit show! I hope it’s not as bad as we predict Hmm. I’m heading off to open the wine and pretend that none of this is happening!!

OP posts:
Groovee · 31/12/2021 17:02

I'm glad as nursery that we are outside most of the time.

Kaffiene · 31/12/2021 19:37

I also think it’s going to be chaos! We are supposed to be getting an update on the 4th on what is supposed to happen - which I assume is going to tell us which year groups to prioritise for F2F learning. Several of my collegues are currently isolating until at least the 10th.
Also we are due an update on isolation rules on the 5th. They must be going to reduce it to 7 or something. There is no way schools can run properly with the current full household for 10 days rules

Mistressiggi · 01/01/2022 15:24

I could cry just thinking about what I'm going back to. Even if I'm lucky and don't get Covid, having other staff off makes a big impact on my already excessive workload as we all run round leaving work for them, or covering their classes. I don't have much left really.
It's been lovely being off and too soon for the dread to begin (surely!)

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:06

@Mistressiggi

I could cry just thinking about what I'm going back to. Even if I'm lucky and don't get Covid, having other staff off makes a big impact on my already excessive workload as we all run round leaving work for them, or covering their classes. I don't have much left really. It's been lovely being off and too soon for the dread to begin (surely!)
Well if you have your own class, how can they ask you to cover? Unless of course you are part of the SMT.
neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:08

I am dreading it...
Trying not to think about it and going to go in as I always do. I wear a mask in the class and have tape across the class. Will chat to the kids about keeping their distance. I open every single window in my class. Its too bad if the kids are cold. They will just have to wear their jackets.

Mistressiggi · 01/01/2022 19:11

I'm secondary - that is what happens!
I won't lose all my frees but I'll lose some. And will be asked to provide lessons. (If they're off - let's hope it doesn't happen!)

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:13

@Mistressiggi

I'm secondary - that is what happens! I won't lose all my frees but I'll lose some. And will be asked to provide lessons. (If they're off - let's hope it doesn't happen!)
Oh no! That sounds like hell!
Explosivefarts · 01/01/2022 19:40

It’s a worry for sure . Does anyone know how the bubbles will work this time round. Will isolation be required if anyone in their class tests positive ?

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:43

I don't think much will change. Bubbles are just classes and they will not mix together. I doubt they will go down the road of class isolation. Ive read the guidance by the Scottish Goverment. They are doing nothing about transport like they did in the past because its too difficult.
Not sure how bubbles work in high school. We never really went away from bubbles in primary except for playtime and the lunch hall.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:45

In fact, we are now going to be classed as essential workers now and if someone tests positive in our family, we are allowed to come into school. It is voluntary.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:46

So basically, we can choose to come in with the caveats that>
A risk assessment is carried out for this member of staff [yeh right]
They test daily I think on a lateral flow in case they become positive.
They can isolate from the person in the household.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 19:47

So here's to spreading it further!

StarryEyeSurprise · 01/01/2022 20:09

We were back to normal really.

My own child is still experiencing the aftereffects of having covid, as are members of staff and at least one of the pupils in my class ( she's been off for two months). Her and my son will not be counted in any figures , I'm sure, regarding long covid and there will be many more like them.

This term will be hellish.

Invisimamma · 01/01/2022 20:20

I can't see a simple solution to this. Nobody wants teachers or anyone else put at unnecessary risk but also if parents can't work due to school closures (and children at home) everything grinds to a halt. What is the answer to this?

When my child's school closed before Christmas, dh had to take time off work, which meant his NHS department couldnt work to usual capacity (specialist role) and as a result operations were cancelled. This is the kind of knock-on effect school closures has. Then there's impact on transport, food production etc parents in same situation.
We don't get 'key worker' school spaces for dc because I'm not a key worker, but I earn more so we need to prioritise my job.

Mistressiggi · 01/01/2022 20:21

@neveradullmoment99

In fact, we are now going to be classed as essential workers now and if someone tests positive in our family, we are allowed to come into school. It is voluntary.
Union is totally recommending against this. Could you imagine spreading it to your pupils and colleagues? Because you had claimed this exemption? It's something that wouldn't make things worse for yourself, but could for those around you - so not being at all self-sacrificing to do it.
neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 20:24

It is outrageous @Mistressiggi
It would NOT be me.
However, I could see young staff in my work doing it.
The thing is, they are introducing this at a time where the omicron spread is likely to be so infectious that every member of your family are like to catch it.
Its a shit show.

neveradullmoment99 · 01/01/2022 20:27

@StarryEyeSurprise

We were back to normal really.

My own child is still experiencing the aftereffects of having covid, as are members of staff and at least one of the pupils in my class ( she's been off for two months). Her and my son will not be counted in any figures , I'm sure, regarding long covid and there will be many more like them.

This term will be hellish.

That is awful. So far, my children have escaped it. Not this time. Neither will I.
alicesfavouritepen · 01/01/2022 20:32

@neveradullmoment99

It is outrageous *@Mistressiggi* It would NOT be me. However, I could see young staff in my work doing it. The thing is, they are introducing this at a time where the omicron spread is likely to be so infectious that every member of your family are like to catch it. Its a shit show.
We are so short staffed in work we would fully be expected to do this. It's a total shocker.
Explosivefarts · 01/01/2022 20:42

@Invisimamma

I can't see a simple solution to this. Nobody wants teachers or anyone else put at unnecessary risk but also if parents can't work due to school closures (and children at home) everything grinds to a halt. What is the answer to this?

When my child's school closed before Christmas, dh had to take time off work, which meant his NHS department couldnt work to usual capacity (specialist role) and as a result operations were cancelled. This is the kind of knock-on effect school closures has. Then there's impact on transport, food production etc parents in same situation.
We don't get 'key worker' school spaces for dc because I'm not a key worker, but I earn more so we need to prioritise my job.

This is it my husband and I both work construction not regarded as keyworkers but also can’t work from home .
Explosivefarts · 01/01/2022 20:43

So if schools shut they need to allow more children of non keyworkers a place . Or furlough the parents neither of which will happen .

StarryEyeSurprise · 01/01/2022 20:45

We should have had restrictions in other parts of life to lower cases in the community but there's no furlough available to do that.

In hospitals, there's strict green / red pathways, PPE etc. In primary schools there's literally no safety aspects . I'm always near the children to help with reading, writing, maths etc. I also struggle with wearing a mask since having covid.

Also, we're told we must be in until we test positive ourselves ( regardless of the size of the outbreak in a class). Children being classed as low risk unless they have sleepovers is just madness and not science based surely. It's just so as many as possible can stay in as long as possible ( before they test positive). As you're most contagious 48 hours before you test positive, it's a strange system.

stripetop · 01/01/2022 20:45

We are borders. SBC said on Christmas Eve they would update 7 January