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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

When will schools get back to normality?

14 replies

delightfuldaisy19 · 09/02/2021 07:47

This isn't a speculation thread about when they will open.

I'm just wondering when they are likely to be normal again. I'm sick of kids having to one way systems, having to stay in their bubble etc.

I want my kids to play competitive sport against other schools again, to be able to go on a school trip, to sit next to whoever they want to sit next to at lunchtime, to not have a small designated part of the school field to play on. Basically the things that make school nice.

OP posts:

Zodlebud · 09/02/2021 08:07

I am hoping that by September there might be a little bit of normality but I’m not getting my hopes up too much. It’s better to be resigned to this rubbish and then have a nice surprise than the other way round.

DinosaurDiana · 09/02/2021 08:10

I’m not sure that they will until all adults are vaccinated.
And even then it might not be until the kids are vaccinated. I’ve read that a nasal spray is being trialled, and that they are looking at using the vaccinations for high school age.

RedskyBynight · 09/02/2021 08:18

I can't see it happening this (calendar) year. Will definitely need enough adults vaccinated for community transmission to be low, and I think we'll need to be cautious in September to see what happens next winter.
I can't see social distancing going as a restriction for ages anyway ... and that's the crux of most of the school limitations.

drspouse · 09/02/2021 08:19

My DS school closes early every day and earlier on a Friday (though he's primary) and I fear they will use this as a permanent pattern.

EdithWeston · 09/02/2021 08:24

Maybe spring 2022?

Depending on complete adult vaccination, new variants being well covered by booster shots and those booster shots being produced before a variant takes off (it's about 3 - 6 months to produce a flu jab update, isn't it), and transmission/hospitalisation remaining low (something it may be unwise to stress test in the next winter virus season)

But open as they were last term, hopefully with fewer SI/burst bubble interruptions, then pupils will have got back time in classrooms (the purpose of schools) and seeing their friends, having PE etc, being in that community which is the other set of benefits.

MGMidget · 09/02/2021 08:53

After the news that the Oxford vaccine is only 10 per cent effective against the South African variant at preventing mild desease in healthy young adults my heart sank. I cant see a return to normality any time soon. I though we would have normality by September but now I dont think so. I think we are in this for the long term. Summer 2022 will probably be quite normal but then things could revert again in winter 2023.

clockstopper · 09/02/2021 08:56

I can't see them being back this academic year now that the new variants are spreading and there is a query of vaccine efficacy.

drspouse · 09/02/2021 09:18

Does it really matter about preventing mild disease in young adults?
We need to prevent severe disease and transmission.

DinosaurDiana · 09/02/2021 10:33

@drspouse

Does it really matter about preventing mild disease in young adults? We need to prevent severe disease and transmission.

Yes, because they transmit it to vulnerable people. Not everyone will have the vaccine, and not everyone will have good efficacy from the vaccine they have had. Add to that vulnerable children who are too young for a vaccine.

NoToMisogyny · 09/02/2021 11:01

By that logic schools will never open again. Zero covid, and zero deaths from covid is an impossibility. Not everyone has good efficacy from any jab, or any medication.

Stokey · 09/02/2021 11:33

I was hoping by the summer term but looks like I'm being wildly optimistic. It's Dd1's last term in primary and was hoping it would be normal for them to get to enjoy their final term together.

GrammarHopeful · 09/02/2021 12:32

Spring 2022 at the earliest would be my guess.

drspouse · 09/02/2021 12:58

@DinosaurDiana the vaccine is now being shown to prevent transmission too.
By your logic (not preventing mild symptoms in young adults) we'd close the schools every flu season too.
There will be a vaccine for younger children soon, but they are VANISHINGLY unlikely to be affected severely. There may be a case for e.g. remote learning for children with CF.

It's the teenagers we need to worry about and they'll be vaccinated I reckon autumn 2021. Over 16 CEV are being done now.

cheese10 · 09/02/2021 13:21

Agree with the view that by the end of 22 we will be in a different place and more normality ....as long as the vaccines are working - which sounds like they will be as booster shots are incoming in Autumn against new strains.

All the vaccines work against serious illness and death - for all age groups. So that puts less pressure on the NHS which means we can open up again.

However maybe some way off from big events etc.. although Australia and NZ leading the way here.

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