The Forty Third Republic - Lockdown learning continues - when is half term?

[Staffdontblowitnow]

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Wouldn’t it depend on what they were planning for schools going back. Technically if you were going back as in the autumn term you could just go back, I’d have thought. Or a week would be enough.

Either he’s trying to get teachers onside by giving notice when the DfE don’t usually give notice of anything, or there’s something that might need to be put in place before schools go back.

Well it also allows parents and teachers etc not to live on the edge of their seat not wanting to make plans in case it's all going to change overnight.

Purchasing could potentially be delayed eg do we buy 6 months worth of x, y and z when we might not use it but we'll be fucked without it if they announce return tomorrow. Plans for rotas, parents planning childcare solutions etc know they'll be needed for at least 2 weeks and commit accordingly.

Poor examples but I'm sure there's more including catering, knowing if you're going to need to arrange supply rather than last minute panic about staffing levels. Knowing if you have time to schedule repairs and maintenance work etc.

And you know what just a bit of bloody sanity and some idea what your life looks like for the next couple of weeks.

On the face of it, two weeks sounds at the longer end of what we feasibly need.

One week definitely though and not really for teachers and their planning, but for all the other logistics around schools: buses, catering orders, site stuff...

I don't suppose there's anything in the two week plan at all. I think it's just yet another example of gavelar. Wing put on the spot and spouting the first thing that comes to mind.

I think the 2 weeks' notice comes from the bollocking the DfE got at parliamentary select committee. The one thing that has stuck with them was that they were being too last minute.

When do you all think secondaries will go back? Do you think we'll get the vaccine before we do? I think after Easter fully (sadly) and that we won't get vaccine before we go back. What does everyone else think?

I'm in favour. I couldn't stand another last minute all change. We are trying to plan remote lessons 2 weeks ahead. Let's say next Friday I spent a whole day uploading lessons I've spent the week recording on modified ppts with worksheets I'd designed to go with them and then they have a press conference at 8pm saying we're back in on Monday.

All of my work is wasted and I'm going to spend all weekend trying to plan for an entirely different scenario.

Meanwhile a mum has packed her daughter off to her dads house 50 miles from school so she can go into the office next week only to be told they need to be in school on Monday.

I'm definitely in favour. Teachers rely on planning and 2 weeks is not long and it will include a holiday. I'm personally taking it to mean they're aiming for after Easter and will have the curtesy of letting us know before we're on holiday.

I thought the 2 week notice plan had already been quashed? In that the DfE confirmed it would give as much notice as possible but wouldn't confirm 2 weeks? May be remembering it wrong though.
Just Gavlar shooting his mouth off as usual.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about the two weeks thing. But it's more needed for the logistical aspects of schooling than the teaching side. It's one thing for the catering team to throw away a load of unused food with no notice closures, it's another to expect them to magic food up with no notice opening.

Annoying. It was the one bit of good news in my head

I think I remembered wrong as I've had a quick Google of my usual news sources and can't find it now. So hopefully the notice thing still stands!

Thanks for your thoughts! Yes I wonder if mass testing of pupils (and staff) was the thing in his head? Bet it was.

Of course all the things Honey and others listed is important for teacher's sanity etc, but I can't see them suddenly caring about that.

Noble there's stuff still in the 'reopening' guidance about flushing water systems etc. And am guessing that only takes a day or two?

Of course a big difference with this reopening anyway, is that many schools (mainly primaries) aren't exactly 'closed' anyway, so it won't be a huge change to 'reopen' them.

teachers' sanity! And that of support staff really ordering supplies.

Are school buses still running in many areas? I would guess the bus companies would have a very 'can do' attitude however little warning they're given, as long as they haven't gone out of business by then as many rely on school contracts don't they. Or are LAs obliged to pay them atm anyway??

The issue with the flushing was that it takes a couple of days but needs professionals booking in to do it properly and they can’t cover all schools in a short period.

Snuggling and watching a film with DS on the sofa. He had a little wobble today. He is really missing the company of other children. Harribo, star trek and an lego mini figure bag I had hidden away for emergencies have come to the rescue.

The two weeks notice comment means that hopefully we'll get at least one. It is so stressful when things change last minute and everything is being leaked in the media. I really struggle with that.

How old is he @SquashedFlyBiscuits ? Bless him.

I think (from remembering union H&S training) all water sources should be flushed through every 2 weeks at least to avoid legionnaires disease. Though I doubt that had anything to do with Gav’s latest drivel.

I also don’t see what two weeks had to do with testing students since they’re supposed to be tested 3-5 days before coming back to school (where are they supposed to be once tested until back at school? Because as soon as they set off to walk/bus/cycle to school they’re potentially infected again so what’s the point?)

@JanuaryChill he's 10 so at least he can play online games and cope with conversations on house party and the like. Hard though when he is the only child in the household and I get to go to school 50% of the time but he doesn't get to go at all. He loves school. Hey ho. We are lucky in many ways though compared to others.

Sending to all those struggling. Must admit I'm struggling with feeling guilty that I'm not doing enough even though I'm a TA and on the rota. Also just really missing my DM, I've not seen her since Aug and honestly not sure when I'll be able to as once lockdown ends schools will be back and without us both being vaccinated and me back at work still feel the risk is high. Honestly I don't know if that's me being overcautios or not.

Plus my Dnan is ill and terminal and I can't even see her and its all a bit shit.

The struggle is being felt this weekend. Colleagues being arses, parents being unsupportive, outing scenario that I can't share but results in a shit tonne more work for me.

A weekend away from the laptop is doing me good so far.

What is the situation with testing in secondaries now-do you all have a hall/gym/library set up with testing bays as per the mass testing training? Are you all being tested twice a week at school?

We were supposed to get our home LF kits this week to start twice weekly, but they haven’t arrived yet (primary).

Does anyone think the ‘back to school’ plan will be anything other than just opening full time to everyone as before?! No masks, no rotas, no funding and fines if you don’t send your child??

Really wish we had someone competent in charge of education.

We have a functioning testing station (only open for 2 x 1.5 hrs a week currently) for staff.

They have now admitted that schools are vectors of transmission. I'm wondering if masks in classrooms might be mandated in some areas? But guess that'd be it.

There is the idea of regional opening of course. Which they can do as long as there is no national tests for GCSEs and A levels.

I wonder what chance there is a small reshuffle and what difference that would make.

Our main hall is set up for testing and anyone who goes in us being offered testing. Very few of the kids have consented though.

I would appreciate 2 weeks notice. Primary classrooms are currently set up for a small number of keywords, we have moved furniture out to accommodate social distancing. Planning is also aimed at our online platform and would need rethinking for whole classes in school. I'm worried that on the Friday before half term or even worse during half term week I'm told I have to get everything organised for the Monday back. I really need the half term holiday to recharge. I am convinced that some of us will be back with full classes after half term.

@lonelyplanet I agree, the more notice the better would be helpful in primary.