AIBU No going back to school I’m furious.

“ Her cousin is in Reception at a private school and on the first few days 78% went back. This has risen to 96% once parents had confidence that everything was safely and sensibly in place.”

Therein it does indeed lie. Private schools have Smaller classes More space more funds etc

Unfortunately this virus is not going to just disappear, a vaccine is many months if not years away.

Schools and local authorities have to come up with a credible plan to get all children into school for a minimum of two days a week at the start of the new school year in September.

It is not just about the children's education, it is vital for their mental health and social skills to get back to as close to normal as possible.

Some parents have managed home schooling well, some maybe not so (going by Mumsnet).

Well said Ellianne. What we require see is a "can do" attitude from all in education and not the negativity put forward by so many in that sector.

Anyway, I must develope a "can do attitude" by way of getting into the office. ??

Please do Grandad

You can't try out a possible solution without the children there to test it, you can only discuss all aspects and form a tentative plan The ones who HAVE returned to school are the guinea pigs to see whether it works, What works with a few children of key workers may not be so easy with the whole school.
The basic jigsaw puzzle has been described several times in foregoing posts. Too many pupils for not enough rooms, and government guide lines to conform to which have been formulated by bureaucrats with no knowledge of how a school is administered.

Granny gravy. Re September they probably will, give them a chance !
Unless we are all back in lockdown of course.

Sorry that was to Lucca not you Elegran.

Good question Pantglas, and what is wrong with looking abroad for possible solutions? In France for example there will be 15 pupils per class and all safety measures have been put in place. Some schools will choose to have pupils attend on alternate days, some will choose blocks of days at a time.
I repeat a previous comment, Macron says this is not voluntary it is compulsory.

PS . I can't get the French government document to show on here, but am happy to translate or provide links if anyone asks.

Because this government has said education cant do rotas.

Ellianne. Is that from September ?

Lucca

Granny gravy. Re September they probably will, give them a chance !
Unless we are all back in lockdown of course.

I always give people a chance, but they have had since the 23rd March when lockdown was brought in to plan for the return.

Galaxy, seriously ? Have you told Grandad? So they say to schools they must sort it but must not do rotas. .?
Maybe the teachers and staff generally could stop being pathetic and just get on and build some more classrooms?

Grannygravy. So how do you know they won’t have it sorted for September ?

No Grannygravy they havent the guidance about how the government wanted this carried out was published a few weeks ago, the suggestions being made on this thread are against government guidance.

The secondary school where I worked had corridors which would in no way allow for social distancing unless you had an incredibly complex timetable structure.
Remember when all students attend we are talking about 2000 students ...
but no rotas eh ?

Lucca

Grannygravy. So how do you know they won’t have it sorted for September ?

Our AC have already been informed that GC are extremely unlikely to be returning to school full time in September (primary and senior) in U.K.

I am not sure about secondary schools Lucca, I dont know in detail about the guidance they have received.

I think if I had to predict what will happen, I would say that in a few weeks time Johnson will relax the 2m rule because it suits his purpose and therefore schools will all be back by September.

What some call "excuses" are simply statements of fact.

I also think it is important to distinguish between children as potential victims of serious consequences from Covid-19 and children as potential carriers to others who are vulnerable. It is the latter that is the most cause for concern

France from 22nd June, Lucca, obligatoire = compulsory.
The only variation is if the school is in the higher risk orange zone, mainly Eastern France and around Paris.

Macron's government's orders are very strict on all issues. Surprisingly I have never seen such a rebellious, stubborn population become so law abiding overnight!
And they are winning the battle, not just because they are 2 weeks ahead of the UK.

Luckygirl

What some call "excuses" are simply statements of fact.

I also think it is important to distinguish between children as potential victims of serious consequences from Covid-19 and children as potential carriers to others who are vulnerable. It is the latter that is the most cause for concern

I do wonder what the rate of infection has been between those children of key workers who are in school, staff members and their families.

The key worker children in school have been few in number and whilst they have been the only pupils in school, social distancing has been easier to achieve. More children increases the challenge because of space constraints, and potentially wider transmission.

Proper testing and tracing would have clarified the extent to which schools act as pools of virus with the potential for spread to home and community. As it is we are groping in the dark, doing our very best and keeping our fingers crossed.

Since yesterday Paris is now green everywhere is open but masks should be worn unless a child.

If we are doing personal experiences I have GCs aged 17,7 and 5. The eldest fortunately is in the year between GCSE and A levels he has had on-line work from his school. The 7 year old has had work as well. The 5 year old hasn't but then as far as I am concerned all play at 5 is learning no matter where it's done. He has health issues as well so we are not sure if he would go in anyway. The primary school they attend is over subscribed and could not possibly accommodate all the children in fact even half the children would be a problem. It's an old building and there is little outdoor space.
The way Grandad1943 keeps insisting that it is purely"will" that can sort out this problem is insupportable. The people working in education have the will what they don't have is the resources or the money.