Availability for opening schools up further - please only people who actually work in schools

[WhyNotMe40]

So the unions Monday said not to engage in discussion about opening schools up further than current provision, but SLT will need a reply, and the situation has changed even since Monday!

What will people be saying when SLT ask about your availability to teach from 1st June when full years return, and then further years after?

We haven’t been asked if we are available or consulted on the plan. A letter has already gone out to parents outlining how we will reopen. It is full of flaws that don’t even follow the crappy guidance document. My colleagues think my head is some kind of saint and I’m the only one not happy 😢 I would have thought at the very least if we are being asked to return to an potentially unsafe environment staff should be consulted on the plans! Think it might be time to move on...

I'm secondary and have heard literally nothing.
Why are other secondary schools opening June 1st? Is that even allowed?

Sorry to add to the OP, I would engage in discussions. I'm not vulnerable etc and expect to be one of the ones in.

@Ylvamoon thank you. The problem we (primary schools especially) are all the vectors that do not always follow instructions. Office workers are one thing but our vectors are another.

whattheheckushappening both me and my DH are secondary teachers and we’re both back for 10 and 12 on June 1st. DH’s school have a definite plan, mine doesn’t yet but is likely to involve a rota.

Pottering along.

I’m secondary, we’ve heard nothing.

Exam classes are meant to go back much later. Your head is being an arse

Secondary here. Heard nothing either

We've been told we'll be opening in some form to 10/12s but no details. Have the unions said anything about vulnerable but none shielding teachers does anyone know?

My year 12s have part time jobs in retail too. So they won't be nice socially distanced before they arrive at school

We’ve been told the school will not be rushing into anything and all staff will be involved in working out our approach. I think that sounds positive, although the unions are telling us not to engage so I’m a bit torn.

I am in Wales so we are not even thinking of going back. However, I am ready to go back as I am healthy and I live with my husband who is also healthy. Mum has been shielding and we have been doing and dropping off food etc so social distancing will continue.

@greathat Not that I've seen. Have you seen the official guidelines on this?

There's such a range of vulnerable but not shielding that there will have to be some judgement used somehow. Eg if X has diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma vs Y who has mild asthma. Both vulnerable but Y probably doesn't need to WFH wheras X does.

Head sent v clevery worded email which if you read between the lines is a "we won't be opening anytime soon" email.

@Whattheheckishappening - yes - the guidance suggests secondaries should start opening to Y10&12 from June 1st (if safe to do so)

What will people be saying when SLT ask about your availability to teach from 1st June when full years return, and then further years after?

I'm pregnant and have a very long commute via public transport, so I think it would be very unreasonable for them to expect me back. I teach y12 and can continue supporting them via email just fine from home.

I'm waiting to hear from my SLT but in principle I will work in a bubble (I'm Y1) if well supported. I won't agree to work completely alone with them though. There needs to be access to another adult for breaks, lunches so we can cover each other.

I am concerned about the risk to my own child's health though, she is yR and will need to go with the key worker group on any days she can't be accommodated in her bubble, so she will be in two bubbles rather than one.

We've heard nothing from our head, despite him normally emailing regularly. I'm taking that as 'we don't know how to do it' or 'we are waiting til the last minute as you're all going to go mad'.

I'm a type 1 diabetic. My y2 dd is also vulnerable. I just want some proper reassurance to be honest. If I do have to go back in front of the classroom, I will only do so if I can wear a mask (and goggles-I'm a science teacher so can sort that myself).
We do have a fair few toilet blocks and have 3 separate buildings so actually, if it's just yr10, we could probably come up with a plan easier than some. But they all get bussed in. We area rural school.

I've said I'm available and happy to go in as soon as there's a plan which is safe for staff and pupils.

Expected to be in, no asking here. We have 3 members of staff who are shielding/have a shielding family member and they are not expected to be in.

I'm happy to go in whenever asked (the sooner the better!), but I am very aware that I say that from a position of good health, healthy children and an extended family who are all fairly young and healthy.

We have suspicious silence from SLT at the minute. I will be replying when they do decide to communicate with us, despite what the unions want (and I'd never normally go against any union action).

No matter what unions or government decide, there are some things that need to be discussed locally by the people they will actually affect. Even within our MAT, I can't see the arrangements being the same for every school. One school will have only y10 in a spacious modern building with wide corridors and plenty of sink, one will have y10 and y12 in a fairly old building, etc.

I work 4 days and will say I'm available for those 4 days. I'd rather go in and reduce the number of shielding/vulnerable colleagues who have to.

I'm secondary and have heard literally nothing.
Why are other secondary schools opening June 1st? Is that even allowed?

It's implied by the guidance, but it's unclear either way. On my group chat left over from the PGCE, I think only 1 school in about 20 is planning to reopen to Y10 and 12 on 1st June.

My school has said nothing official about reopening, but privately I have heard there are big concerns about how we will get the children in as many of them come in from small villages on coaches/minibuses and a few come in taxis.

Secondary here. SLT are discussing it this week. They feel the govt are expecting 'an ambition for year 10's to have some time with their teachers'. I am interested to see how this will be interpreted. Our SLT have promised to work with us and we generally have a good relationship. Our union is strong though.

I am more concerned about September? I'd love to be able to go back even part time, or reduced. I am one of those people do want to try and move forward to some sort of 'new normal'.

The situation with special schools is even trickier. One paragraph at the end of the guidance document, schools to be open to all age groups.

Our NEU rep has various meetings this week to work out how on Earth we can go back in a way that’s safe for us and the kids.

School’s provisional plan is half classes, in on alternate weeks.

My headteacher knows I'm available to work the days I'm employed to work, wherever that may be. He's also aware that DH is a teacher and my two DC attend two different schools so once we're in school again, transmission within our 'bubble' has the potential to affect four different schools.

We've not been asked about availability, have been told to do what our unions tell us to and have known for a few weeks exactly what the return plans may look like depending on different factors. Masks and gloves are available for staff to use, sanitiser and soap has been stocked up on and a gradual transition timetable has been shared. Since before lockdown we've been encouraged to raise any concerns about safety and they've been responded to sensibly. We know distancing can't happen within schools but also trust that our head isn't going to throw us under a bus - the school will be ready to open on 1st June if it's safe for the children. Anyone who is shielding, lives with someone who is shielding, isn't officially shielding but feels they should be or has concerns about returning is being supported and will likely be providing teaching for pupils who are unable to return because they are in shielding families.

@greathat see bit about clinically vulnerable. I take that to be quite clear we should work at home.

I do supply. I don't work I don't get paid. So I will be working every day I possibly can.