The Forty Ninth Republic - Announcement Week - Roadmap and Exams - Be more Bob

[StaffRepFeistyClub]

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.

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.

@HerdyGerdy

Can I ask a non-teaching question for a minute? Does anyone else have their salary vary massively each month because of their income tax changing? I'm not sure if this is my work fucking up somehow (I didn't have it in other places) but I'm down nearly £80 this month.

Yep!

When I signed my contract I was still in my notice period at my old job and HR told me to say it wasn't my only job because on that date it wasn't.

When the P45 came through I took it to HR and they said it went through but I got taxed a lot. I'm a TA so make below the personal allowance anyway, but they were taxing me 20% some months and less other months. Eventually I had to call HMRC who were very helpful at least and could see what the problem was. I still don't fully understand it haha. Apparently the money they owe me will come through in pay roll but there hasn't been a payday since then.

I'm feeling envious of those of you that have even a vague plan for the 8th from your school. It's not even been mentioned at mine.

Department on Thursday with the Head about redundancy and how overstaffed we are. Funnily enough the SLT member to who teaches about 10 science lessons a week, and the other SLT member who teaches science out of specialism to yr7 aren't invited, I feel that the former especially contributes to how 'overstaffed' we look.

From BBC news.

So what are the other hundreds of kids doing whilst this pupil swabs herself in front of a tiny mirror?

Is that the same footage of the girl on the bbc 6 o'clock news last night who barely got the swab in her mouth before declaring it all done?

We had an email from the head yesterday afternoon saying that the guidance about testing is as clear as mud in terms of practicalities and logistics. He's asked lots of questions about transport, how many days we're allowed to take for testing, etc and thinks he's probably got a plan. He's talking to SLT today and hopes to share the plan with staff and parents/pupils this afternoon/tomorrow. I really do feel sorry for heads at the minute, having to deal with the logistical nightmare that is testing all pupils. And that's without even thinking about how we can start assessing years 11 and 13 to decide on CAGs.

We’ve not had any info from work yet. I’ve just had the letter from daughter’s school that basically says ‘Your kids will be back quicker if you don’t request that they are tested, but here’s a form to fill in if you do want them to have a test’

Were required back in from Thursday.

I'm quiet because I'm really conflicted on this. I want safer schools, a vaccination, some method of distancing before we go back, however my own children need to be taught and that's my selfish priority. Their head has refused online teaching. There's so much inconsistency.

I feel I can no longer comment without hypocrisy.

*we're

That's terrible, Salty.

In this last six weeks, I feel the most sorry for working out if the home parents of primary aged children who've not been allowed a school place, and teachers working their butts off whose own children's schools have been appalling.

@Medra

We’ve not had any info from work yet. I’ve just had the letter from daughter’s school that basically says ‘Your kids will be back quicker if you don’t request that they are tested, but here’s a form to fill in if you do want them to have a test’

Clever way to get them all back after half a day?

My children’s school give us 3 worksheets a day - Literacy, numeracy and topic. 3 days a week they are in school but with TAs. They spend the day playing on the iPads or playing outside. They love it, me not so much.

Why Thursday @SaltyAF? Testing early?

@RandomGrammarPun I’m pretty annoyed by it on behalf of their teachers.

Medra I'd be annoyed about it for my DC - no point in them going back and being sent home 2 days later as they were next to a positive case who's refused asymptomatic testing.
Am very worried about isolations for my Y11 DC as he's already getting tense about the lack of clarity on exams. Missing final revision sessions would be really upsetting at this stage.

How are schools getting away with doing so little? Why are there any schools at least not offering video instruction or at least online meetups and links to Oak? It's so easy to do - linking to Oak I mean.

I'm feeling envious of those of you that have even a vague plan for the 8th from your school.

We have a plan. I don’t think it’s worthy of envy though.

Already had a parent complaining about mask wearing via email. Have referred it on higher up the food chain.

We have pretty much decided we cannot test all kids on the 8th, so some won't be in school that day. I think this is going to be a big shock to parents!

If course if they refuse testing they will be back in regardless which is ridiculous.

I think our SLT are going about this sensibly but seems like a real nightmare for them!

@Medra

We’ve not had any info from work yet. I’ve just had the letter from daughter’s school that basically says ‘Your kids will be back quicker if you don’t request that they are tested, but here’s a form to fill in if you do want them to have a test’

Hang on, wait, WHAT? They're encouraging people to refuse testing? Or is that just testing on the school premises?

If course if they refuse testing they will be back in regardless which is ridiculous.

My DS has been nowhere, the only place he will catch cv is on his way to school for testing. I’m not giving permission for him to be tested. He will be ‘allowed back in’ since he is entitled to his education. Testing is not mandatory for students or teachers.

New directive on mask wearing at my school. We have been allowed to wear visors or masks, with the former preferred for front of class teaching. Now visors have been deemed ineffective against airborne particles. I mean, WHO KNEW????
So all the people who rolled their eyes at me for sticking with a mask can just fucking do one.

You sound annoyed about testing Carrie - which aspect of it is frustrating you?

Just had an email from my sons middle school with a consent form for LFTs in school. He is only year 5, he became totally distraught and vomited when we had to do one at a test centre in September. So I am not going to consent - but feeling guilty about it. Would do it at home but I don’t want to risk a negative experience that could put him right off going to school! I am a bit annoyed at being asked as he is primary age but they are treating them like secondary as school goes up to year 8. But equally feeling guilty as makes me feel like I am letting their staff down by not wanting to take one of the few safety measures they have. Bollocks to it all!!

@HerdyGerdy

Can I ask a non-teaching question for a minute? Does anyone else have their salary vary massively each month because of their income tax changing? I'm not sure if this is my work fucking up somehow (I didn't have it in other places) but I'm down nearly £80 this month.

Mine is pretty consistent

Had an email to say we will be invited to go in one day next week to hear the plan. Why they can't just send an email. I'm hoping they invite me on my day off..