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Son’s school should be closed but not.

(104 Posts)
Bluebellwould Tue 20-Oct-20 08:39:08

My son works in a primary school where his children go. Four teachers and the caretaker (who wonders round the school like a lost cat apparently) have got corona. It started with one case of corona and that class being sent home but the rest of the school continued. Now we have four classes sent home but the rest continue. Surely the sensible thing would have been to send the whole school home for two weeks isolation when the first case occurred. It’s all just so demoralising when things aren’t being done to halt infection rates. To make matters worse the weather’s gloomy and wet! I feel like having a temper tantrum and stamping my feet and shouting and rolling on the floor thumping my fists and going red in the face. Well perhaps not. ?

Hetty58 Tue 20-Oct-20 10:34:38

GranVee, spot on!

quizqueen, my daughter, a teacher, worked extra hard and long hours during lockdown.

She was teaching online and creating new learning resources for distance learning.

OK, you didn't see her hard work - but she really earnt her pay!

Saggi Tue 20-Oct-20 10:32:53

Quizqueen.... my son in law is a teacher. He was paid throughout lockdown.

luluaugust Tue 20-Oct-20 10:27:46

Both DD's worked full time during lockdown with online things for the children to do, really difficult and involved as they supported certain parents as well with daily calls etc. The teachers can only control what goes on in the school, outside groups of mums gather together, teenagers can't resist each others company and the bubbles in school go completely, other than shutting all schools again I don't see what can be done.

Awesomegranny Tue 20-Oct-20 10:26:37

I presume each class has their own “bubble” , which is probably why your grandson’s class is still going to school. All you can do is encourage your grandson to frequently wash hands, and possibly stay away from visiting if you are vulnerable.

FannyCornforth Tue 20-Oct-20 10:26:11

Sar53 whereabouts is your dg's school, if you don't mind me asking?
Is is primary or secondary?
Thank you.

GranVee Tue 20-Oct-20 10:26:10

one's not onces and giving not givinging, show's how angry I am.

DeeDum Tue 20-Oct-20 10:25:00

Seems it's in more schools than not, ridiculous keeping them open ...
This country is lacking in leadership, and its costing thousands and thousands of lives, many who get over it are one by one showing signs of long term damage now too
We're left like sitting ducks angry

GranVee Tue 20-Oct-20 10:24:10

I get really angry at comments like the one from quizqueen "whose going to pay the wages", firstly, teachers have worked very hard during the pandemic, and secondly, the people who shout, we can't afford to pay people are the onces that don't seem to have a problem with this government givinging 12 billion pounds to their mates for a test and trace that is absolutely not fit for purpose.

Sar53 Tue 20-Oct-20 10:23:59

My 11 year old granddaughter's school have shut totally for 2 weeks. At least 7 teachers and many students have tested positive. Public Health England advised that they shut this week and next which is half term.
The students are working online this week, they have been given plenty of work.
Hopefully these measures will have an impact.

Hetty58 Tue 20-Oct-20 10:21:02

Schools are following the 'rules' but, it seems, common sense has flown out of the window.

My grandson's year group were sent home until the contacts (bubble) of a positive case in another class were identified for isolation.

Two stupid things happened:

The entire year were called into the hall to be told (no social distancing) - unbelievable and unnecessary!

Then, those sent home all gathered in the local park to chat about it - just brilliant!

Galaxy Tue 20-Oct-20 10:13:33

Every school I work in has a caretaker trisher. Perhaps it's dependent on area?

FannyCornforth Tue 20-Oct-20 10:12:10

trisher - caretakers are officially known as 'site managers' now.
I knew one who got the right hump if you called her a caretaker!

trisher Tue 20-Oct-20 10:09:22

Sorry I got completely distracted by the fact that a primary school still had a caretaker, I thought they were extinct!
Anyway 4 staff, that's at the most 4 year groups, which leaves 3 years all in school. Sending the whole school home for 2 weeks wouldn't necessarily have stopped the outbreak. Children are often asymptomatic so many of them may already have it or have had it.

Toadinthehole Tue 20-Oct-20 09:58:45

Someone in my friend’s grandchildren’s school tested positive. The whole year were sent home. The family of the child who tested positive...all tested negative, so mum went back to work!!?

Lucca Tue 20-Oct-20 09:54:18

* If anyone feels that a teacher or school is not pulling their weight during further lock downs, the correct thing to do is contact the school directly, not criticise the teaching profession as a whole*

Spot on. Quizqueen please take note!

PECS Tue 20-Oct-20 09:52:00

I believe the guidance says only the ' bubble' members should isolate when there is a confirmed case. That was the whole point of bubbles!

Galaxy Tue 20-Oct-20 09:31:56

Unless they have gone completely rogue the school will be taking guidance from public health as to who needs to self isolate. In a primary school the teachers will only be teaching in their bubble. Most schools that I am aware of have had cases, none have closed fully.

FannyCornforth Tue 20-Oct-20 09:30:31

Quizqueen I worked from home and I'm on sick leave!
I don't know a single teacher (in both primary and secondary) who didn't work their socks off.
If anyone feels that a teacher or school is not pulling their weight during further lock downs, the correct thing to do is contact the school directly, not criticise the teaching profession as a whole.

GagaJo Tue 20-Oct-20 09:15:48

quizqueen

Who will pay the teachers wages if they are sent home for weeks? I didn't see any of them furloughed last time either. I don't believe they all worked full time last lockdown.

With respect QQ, you don't know what you're talking about. I'm a teacher who taught remotely. It was a nightmare. So much extra work. It's a lot easier just to be in the classroom.

PECS Tue 20-Oct-20 09:13:57

All employed teachers in state funded school were still working throughout lockdown. As a supply teacher , with regular employment from the agency, I was furloughed and recieved pay based on my avearage weekly income as a supply.

FannyCornforth Tue 20-Oct-20 08:54:15

The number of self isolators at my school went right down into single figures last week.
And then on Friday there were loads of positive cases.
As of yesterday, 150+ kids out of around 1500 were self isolating.
I can't see how it is sustainable.

Lucca Tue 20-Oct-20 08:50:40

Quizqueen. Two weeks.

Lucca Tue 20-Oct-20 08:49:51

Sorry for three posts. Surely if the school really are ignoring the guidelines you should get in touch with sone local authorities?

quizqueen Tue 20-Oct-20 08:49:23

Who will pay the teachers wages if they are sent home for weeks? I didn't see any of them furloughed last time either. I don't believe they all worked full time last lockdown.

Lucca Tue 20-Oct-20 08:48:32

Think I’m getting muddled with different threads.... yes I agree we should at least have a short lockdown instead of this crazy Tier business.