The Thirty-seventh Republic - Mass testing rolls on - school staff remain expendable

[SantaAssociationRepresentitve]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff only – a sort of room of requirement. Baiters, haters, goaders, and bashers can jog on somewhere else.

If you are NOT staff and just have a general education query please start your own thread.

You can play here if you are a member of one the following groups-

-ABBA - anti bashers and baiting association
-SWAB - school workers against bashers
-SWOT - school workers opposing teacherbashers
-STARS - schoolworkers together against ranting + slurs

Do not give the staffroom password just in case it attracts the wrong sort

Other requirements for staff room entry include the ability to find the staff room, the ability to find a clean mug in the staff room, knowledge of the photocopier codes, and the ability to sniff out where the booze is stashed - Thirsty Tuesdays, Fizz Fridays now in operation.

If you come with a stick to goad us then that is not allowed in the staffroom and you will receive a detention

Boris talking about schools now.

I tell you something, the very first parent who moans about something petty like a missing jumper or homework will get it with both barrels..

I didn't think I could feel less demoralised.

Turns out, I can!!!

Wasn't going to drink today. Pah!!!!

Did Boris just say it will be reviewed on 18th?

I've stopped watching, can someone summarise Boris for me?

From the .gov link:

To allow this focus on establishing testing, throughout the first week of term, exam year groups will continue to have lessons remotely in line with what they would receive in class, and only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will have face-to-face teaching.

@chocolateisavegetable

They've mentioned that teachers will go up the priority list for vaccinations - does anyone know if this includes support staff?

no we are not going up the list - it maybe considered. They have to get through groups 1 - 9 first which will probably take until June/July

He said further action maybe needed in the worse effected areas.

Holy forking shirt balls.

What a mess.

Is no isolation for contacts confirmed? Is it for primaries too?

I’m probably too maudlin for gin tonight. I’ll make do with ice cream and artisan chocolate buttons.

Are 7-10 & 12 getting no remote provision then?
Is there anyone who can understand Boris?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-contingency-framework-for-education-and-childcare-settings/contingency-framework-education-and-childcare-settings-excluding-universities

Has anyone seen the list of those areas where primary are not opening?

Where is this fucking LIST Boris?!?!?

Thanks @SantaAssociationRepresentitve - absolutely unbelievable!

@Mrsbrownsgargoyle

Is no isolation for contacts confirmed? Is it for primaries too?

Testing is replacing this if parents/staff consent.

It's secondary schools initially but the expectation is that it will roll out to primary. They said by Easter originally but that may change.

So if children aren't consented for testing, they have to isolate all the time? Or just if there's a positive contact in their class / year?

Am I allowed to refuse to swab a child? I mean if I'm not allowed to teach PE solo I can't possibly be insured to do that?

I asked the union about that. Yes you can refuse.

They really can't trot out the "following the science" line anymore

With those stats why couldn't they say on-line learning for secondaries at least for two weeks with the new variants.

Statement from Unison:

UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: "Everyone agrees it's important for schools and colleges to open but it can't be at any expense when infections are rising.

"This delay for secondary schools is a sensible decision, giving more time to organise mass testing effectively to limit the spread. Primary and early years reopening should also be delayed because social distancing isn't really possible.

"Ministers should also ensure any moves to extend the vaccine priority list must cover all school staff and not just teachers."

@namechangedyetagain

So if children aren't consented for testing, they have to isolate all the time? Or just if there's a positive contact in their class / year?

Am I allowed to refuse to swab a child? I mean if I'm not allowed to teach PE solo I can't possibly be insured to do that?

Just if they would be considered a close contact of a confirmed positive case.

The push is on schools to find volunteers to run the testing as so the limit the number of teachers / TAs that would be involved.

sums it up nicely (again)

@MrsHamlet

I asked the union about that. Yes you can refuse.

If we are positive contacts and refuse to do the shiteral flow tests, do we self isolate? Are we then not paid?

We just won’t ever be identified, will we. But will still have to teach close contacts kids whose parents want them in

@Monkeytennis97

From the DfE.... what does this mean? They can move kids from non open schools to open schools?

[[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment]]data/file/946555/CVActtPupilregistrationndisapplicationnoticee9Janauryy2021.pdf

This is a worrying new development. Will we have to take children from other local schools if they don't have enough teachers?

Anyone reckon the list is actually going to be quite long? They are trying to hide it....