What about outdoor classrooms?

[DearLiza]

Just a thought, please don't flame me..

So I was thinking, perhaps secondary schools could hire large marquees of the sort used for weddings, fairs etc. to use as temporary teaching spaces. These would be set up on playing fields with the sides left off for fresh air. Pupils could be instructed to wrap up warm. With individual desks spaced out well surely this would be a lot healthier than a bunch of teenagers all squashed into some sweaty classroom.

Obviously this could only work for subjects not dependent on technology, perhaps English or Maths. Teachers would rotate between tents with pupils staying in situ.

Wind
Rain
Wasps
Sun
Hayfever
Teenagers

And what do you do when they need the toilet?

In short- no. Don’t be ridiculous.

Perhaps some of the burger vans could come and do school meals as well to ease pressure on the canteens.

Porta-loos. They must be struggling without big events not going on.
This could save the economy.

All right, it was only a thought. I just think schools are really unhygienic and there's bound to be a better way forward.

Nice idea - mad, but a nice thought. Most teaches use a projector and do registration online so that would be tricky apart from all the other problems.

Yes, that would be paying for proper maintenance and twice a day intensive cleaning, as well as building well planned new schools.

I think it’s possible but only if they planned outdoor learning not teens sat at desks. They need to move around, explore, act things out...and the curriculum needs to be organised with it in mind. Unfortunately our test, exam and what passes for ’measurable progress’ focused school culture has deskilled and removed teachers‘ confidence in planning this sort of learning. I would love to see

These would be set up on playing fields

We don’t have any playing fields. They were sold off for housing years ago.

Why do you think schools are really unhygienic? They’re cleaned every day. Certainly a marquee would be no more hygienic

I think you are right that we need to start thinking outside the box- literally maybe!!

I think its a fun idea - and its great to come at a problem from all angles.

I don't recognise unhygienic schools. I'm currently in my third school and the cleaners and kitchen staff in all of them were meticulous and took enormous pride in their work. The ladies loos, for example, are far cleaner than any office I've ever worked in and I've never worked in a school that didn't have a 5star hygiene rating for its kitchen.

I think they're unhygienic based on reports from a close relative who works in a primary school. Think about it- all the door handles, toilet locks etc. touched by dozens of grimy hands throughout the day. Then desks and chairs, which by 3pm have had quite a few children breathing and coughing all over them.

Just the concept of having hundreds of pupils in a confined space, all breathing the same air, means bugs spread like wildfire.

That said, the ladies loos in my school were pristine. I've heard of grim stuff in other places though.

I think the lessons I'm producing for home learning, complete with good resources and video links, are probably more effective than sitting in a tent just listening to me talk!
Are you primary or secondary OP?

I'm not a teacher, I just take an interest on account of aforementioned family member. I hope it's not bad etiquette for me to post on here. Wondered how you all feel about the way forward really.

In short- no. Don’t be ridiculous.

In short I think it's a good idea. Don't be so bloody rude.

Well I agree op. I teach secondary and there are many lessons I plan where we don't need to be in a specific room. And I can think of lots activities I could plan if I knew I had outdoor space! Transmission outside is meant to be lower, it would be easier to socially distance if there was more room to put pupils (as there would be fewer inside -I don't think at my school everyone could go outside at once so it would be on a rotation system I guess) and if schools are back in June I think everyone would appreciate not being in a hot/stuffy classroom where the windows don't open more than an inch and there's no air con. So actually I think in some schools it could work. Even pre-covid I wished my school had a couple of outdoor classrooms teachers could book for maybe one lesson a term.

To be fair, given a few more hours this will likely be a thread about how disgraceful teachers are for thinking a tent might not work, why can't they be more solution focused etc, lazy and overpaid with too many holidays etc so no I don't really think it's appropriate for someone not working in education to start a thread in the Staffroom that is likely to lead to a pile on.
I hope I'm wrong of course!

We don’t have anywhere near enough outdoor space to put marquees up to house 1600 pupils + 150 staff with social distancing.

As a previous poster said, the massive school playing fields have long since become housing estates.

That's a real shame about playing fields, Pottering. I do live rurally so it's probably different in urban areas.

I've been saying this all along. Do none of you ever teach outside? I don't see why we can't. No need for portaloos or marquees. Just go outside. Teach. We are teachers. Creative and resourceful. If it rains come in. Why be scared of wasps? They are there at break and lunchtimes too.

Yes, we can probably do some bits outside. A class at a time and on the playground. We would all have to go back inside to the classroom if one person needed the toilet though.

That wouldn’t help schools open up any sooner, or to more children though. It just means classes could go outside sometimes, on a rota.

Not sure the Bunsen burners would work. And CLEAPS would need to redo all my risk assessments.

Not sure the Bunsen burners would work.

Op did say it obviously wouldn't work for all subjects. But for English, Maths, Humanities, Mfl it would work and would free up the inside for the other subjects.
I think it's a good idea and I would be happier sending my kids back if this could work somehow.