UK schools could, and should, begin to reopen as soon as practicable after the initial wave of cases has passed through

[Otherrooms]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52180783

What do you make of this?

Schools could go back even whilst social distancing rules are still in place?

Have these people ever been in a school? School corridors/classrooms anyone?!

As a vulnerable (flu jab) but not highly vulnerable (12 week isolation) teacher, I also wonder what 'reasonable adjustments' the school would make to keep me safe? If it is stated that no reasonable adjustments are needed for the -many -school staff in my position, is that legal?

They're startling in their effect on the school budget Noble. If your overwhelmingly biggest cost increases by more than inflation you have rather an issue.

Just as a point of information the 12 week isolation are not highly vulnerable, they are extremely vulnerable. DH's heart consultant invented his won category of 'supremely vulnerable'!

The highly vulnerable are expected to carry on as normal : but follow stringent social distancing and work form home where possible. So, during lockdown, basically like the rest of us. After, who knows?

I can't see it happening. It's unlikely schools will return before September to be honest. That is still the position that it was a couple of weeks ago, nothing has really changed from a policy perspective to indicate an earlier reopening.

There is a 100% certainty there is not enough data to have a clear idea how much of the spread of covid 19 is caused by children mixing with each other in schools (especially since many children travel long distances to get to school), getting the virus and passing it on to adults at home. I personally think they just want to experiment with this in the summer to see, rather than testing it out in the Autumn when other viruses are on the rise...

If your overwhelmingly biggest cost increases by more than inflation you have rather an issue.

Obviously. But your implication was that teachers have been enjoying loads of pay rises which is simply not true. Experienced teachers and school leaders have had real terms cuts. The pensions contribution increases are a massive issue, but pensions for teachers have got worse.

Talk about the hit on school budgets, don’t imply that teachers are taking the cash because they’re not.

Makeitgoaway

A UPS3 teacher costs the school £60000,

Could you a least use real figures or at least give supporting evidence for this.

Sorry, Piggy!

I think my question is about those of us who fall in the group who are currently 'highly vulnerable', and therefore advised to do strict social distancing and work from home where possible in the current lockdown.

If schools re-open more fully, is my working from home no longer regarded as 'possible' so I have to go into school?

That's what DH's consultant thinks, cant, worryingly.

@noblegiraffe do you have a link to the DFE guidelines on social distancing?
I've just handed in my notice (TA, Infant School) as my Head has refused to enforce social distancing between children/children and staff/children saying it was a professional judgment for us to make as individuals. I'm going to be really pissed off if it is now enforceable.

I think there seems to be an assumption by some that schools and the rest of society can only begin to return to normal once the threat from coronavirus has been largely eliminated for the most vulnerable. I'm not sure that we can afford to wait until then and that the repercussions of doing so would be absolutely horrific.

We need a strong economy to support the most vulnerable amongst us. We need schools and nurseries to reopen so our children can be properly educated and people can get back to work. There is only so long that you can pause regular activities before it starts having a long term detriment on us. Even basic things like routine eye tests would ordinarily highlight all sorts of issues that could risk someone's sight. These aren't just "nice to have" things that we are suspending. We can't realistically get all this stuff back up and running again whilst the schools remain shut.

Depends on what you mean by properly educated. there is no way that staggered timetables, late and early starts , reduced classes and stringently keeping students and staff away from each other is proper.

If you just mean enabling more people to leave their house to work, than that is a separate argument.

If the government had any intention of sending schools back before September why cancel exams? GCSEs and Alevels could still have taken place worth social distancing. It would be madness to send schools back while exam candidates sit at home.

If any children are to go back it would make sense to just be certain years. But that would leave others roaming the streets as they couldn't be ecoected to stay inside while others are at school.

The government haven't spent however any billions on this to then open schools before September.

Let the BBC take over lessons for a few months till this is all over!

Yeah, that's hilarious for the children being stuck in awful homes far away from the eyes of teachers and social workers, or the single parents who aren't key workers or covered by furlough so are now trying to rely on universal credit and wondering what the hell to do about rental costs chosen with a working income in mind.

Of course we shouldn't go straight back to school as normal even in May or June, but I also think that compared with other key workers, teachers have been very decently treated though all this, with far far higher rates of being off due self isolation or being allowed to classify as vulnerable even if outside the officially shielded group. I

It's an impossible situation and some people are going to be harmed no matter what, and no school until September will disproportionately harm disadvantaged children and their parents

@Piggywaspushed
I think being able to access teaching from trained professionals is a start and even a very compromised school day would be better for lots of children and their education than being at home with parents that are trying to simultaneously work from home.

Yes I canFrippEnos , I will dig them out for you if you want them to the penny but salary £ 41k, pension contributions 23.68%, employer NI contributions 13.8%. Employee Assistance Programme, Insurance, meals, plus any TLR. It's all there.

We need schools and nurseries to reopen so our children can be properly educated and people can get back to work.

Absolutely.

However, schools and nurseries returning to normal FOR FULL EDUCATION requires children to be closely packed in classes of 30+, with their regular teacher fit and well and standing in front of them, and all support staff supporting the most vulnerable, for example those with SEND.

It would also involve older children travelling by public or school transport, also crowded.

There is an obvious conflict between these and limiting the spread of virus, both within the school (not least because when a child becomes ill, for full education the school needs to continue unaffected...) and within the community.

It's about the balance between these needs, because neither 'pure' situation (fully shut or fully open) is without significant risk.

with far far higher rates of being off due self isolation or being allowed to classify as vulnerable even if outside the officially shielded group.

I am uncomfortable with what you are insinuating.

meals ?? What meals??

Please can I reiterate that The Lancet report at no point advocates for a full and total return to schooling.

schoolsweek.co.uk/school-staff-dont-need-protective-equipment-new-government-guidance-states/

This article is awful! It’s saying schools will be fine as long as teachers implement social distancing?! With 30+ to a class and no soap?!

They won’t be giving staff PPE or routinely virus testing as it’s not important, but will test if staff are at home with symptoms-to make sure they aren’t skiving-so they can be sent straight back to work.

We all know that the children need to be back eventually. But articles like this are irresponsible. We haven't even reached the peak yet. Maybe put the BBC article up when we start to fall from the peak, not when we're approaching it!

restyourhead

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings

@cantkeepawayforever
I agree completely that it is a balance between the two, but I am concerned that some look at the situation completely through the lens of the vulnerable. In reality, I believe we will need a bit of a hybrid approach that recognises the different levels of risk associated with different groups of teachers and children. I'm not denying this won't be challenging but the alternative of assuming we can only move at the pace of our most vulnerable could be worse.

Just popping this here for you stuck

www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/vulnerable-people-and-high-risk