Schools

So you're implying that they're skiving, are you? Not the ones I know. Other people have been working from home - teachers can't - or at least, they can provide work, but can't supervise the pupils to provide minimum staffing levels.

Some people beggar belief!

Grandad1943 - what's meant by 'the above begs many questions'

growstuff it is being reported that over one-third of school teachers are already off work self-isolating. That is far higher than in any other working sector of the economy at this stage of the pandemic.

The above I would suggest begs many questions.

growstuff I'm sorry, it's a horrid predicament that you (and many like you) are in.

I was wondering if maybe you're in a position to create lesson plans for parents who want their children to continue studying at home, but don't know how to go about it? That, or something like it, may just keep the wolf from the door while you find out what your options are.

Ellianne The exams have been cancelled.

Excellent trisher. And as a previous poster is explaining we shouldn't measure people and their jobs by academic achievement alone.

Many teachers are, themselves, off sick at the moment. That's why schools couldn't continue as they are. Teachers aren't childminders and maybe people will begin to recognise the work they do.

No, eazybee, the exams are cancelled. The results will be based on predicted grades. I've lost my income overnight.

BJ said qualifications will be sorted but there will be no exams.

I am rather hoping the exams will be cancelled and not just postponed. Luckily nearly all the GCSE work has been completed by now and teachers will have a very good idea what grade pupils would achieve from their performance over the past two years. As far as A levels are concerned universities will also be able to go by teacher assessments and personal statements. It isn't worth getting pupils to take their exams at a later date, it would be too complicated to administer and too stressful for the kids.

To add to my above post you also have manual workers in water treatment plants both sewerage and fresh, power generation and distribution along with fuel distribution.

All I would suggest are essential, therefore very many teachers will be required to look after the children of the above "essential workers" within our schools.

Many jobs can be done at home, home working several days a week is the norm for many and could be extended to the whole week.DS has already been told to work from home.
Everyone likes to see their job as vital, but actually quite a lot aren’t ( as in, can be done from the home office.)
Also, it won’t all be computer play for months as many children hope ?the schools will be sending plenty of schoolwork for them to do.

HGV drivers are to be included in the essential worker's group as many of them are to be transferred into food distribution.

The problem with the above will be that workers such as pickers in supermarket disruption centres also become essential if there is going to be any loads to put on all those extra vehicles

Then you have all those that work in food production who also become essential if there is to be anything in those supermarket distribution centres

And so it goes on?

lemongrove, you make an interesting point

There will be huge resentment amongst the pupils that some will spend their days on their computers whilst others have to go to school

Schools are going to have to choose which parents have the most vital jobs

Parents will be pointing out that their jobs are vital

I just don't think it will work

Surely Growstuff, parents would want their children to spend more time in private study when they are off school. The exams will be postponed, not cancelled; they will have to be taken at some time. I hope so.
Personally I don't think it is a good idea closing schools, because a lot of children are going to be unleashed on the community, but I gather there has been much pressure from some parents.

I was wondering how it was going to work, who is going to be responsible for deciding who is in and who isn't, and who is going to tell the parents! I suppose it will be the head teacher. It's not something I'd want to be responsible for. I also wonder about how effective it will be if some children are still going to school. I was wondering if my GCs are socially isolated for 2-3 weeks would it then be safe for them to see me? I suppose it will depend if their parents stay away from others as well. So many problems!

I feel sorry for those children from poor homes who see school as an " outlet ". If you get my drift. What about their lunches ? It's the only meal of the day for some.

Perhaps important is not the right word. Vital is a better one.
Yes, most jobs are pretty vital, but if Boris had just announced all schools were closing, with no provision for NHS and others, it would all have been ‘what about the children of nurses, what about the kids who won’t get a school dinner’ etc. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place.

Not a half hearted measure at all, fail to see that.
Children of NHS staff ( which no doubt is everyone, from consultants down to cleaners) children of police personnel and other key workers, plus all vulnerable children including those who have a social worker will all continue to go to school.It may not be their own school.
All our DGC fit into this category and aren’t happy about it ( the eldest hoped to be playing computer games for months on end) but their parents are hugely relieved and can continue working.

Thanks. I see what you mean. Wasn’t intending to put forward fake news!?. There’s been enough of that already!

There’s jobs, and then there are more important jobs in these times Oopsminty

Shop workers? I think they're needed at present

Cleaners? Very important

Taxi Drivers? Again, important. Especially getting some of the vulnerable children into school

Gas engineers? We will need them if the heating goes off

Electricians? Just as vital

No, I am sorry. This isn't viable.

My daughter is a teacher and they are up in arms about how this is going to work,

You either shut down schools or you don't

This virus is not going to ignore you because your mother is a nurse

And if a child of a medical professional gets this then it gets spread to everyone else

And all those 'more important' workers may end up either ill or having to isolate

Half hearted measure. Ill thought out.

I felt guilty that I could not look after my GC because I am 73 and with lung problems so I felt a bit better when Boris said that grandparents would be too much at risk.

There’s jobs, and then there are more important jobs in these times Oopsminty

OOpsminty, what would suggest as a better alternative than the government proposals?
I'm not a Conservative supporter but it seems to me the government is following expert advice. The plans for the children of key workers and vulnerable children seem reasonably well thought out in a situation that changes daily.

Yes, all nursery and day care facilities will close Gummie. Again, they will be required to make provision for the children of key workers etc