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Coronavirus

AIBU No going back to school I’m furious.

(903 Posts)
12rg12ja Wed 10-Jun-20 11:59:03

What is the matter with everyone why can’t children who are at very little risk of coronavirus not go back to school.
Surely it would be better for everyone those that don’t want to be in contact can self isolate. I am fortunate that my grandson is in yr 6 so has gone back but I feel desperate for all the others and those parents who can’t work with no childcare. I feel we are bringing up a generation who will be scared of everything Sorry for the rant but don’t think I’ve ever felt so strongly about anything Show me a March and I’ll be there!

trisher Tue 16-Jun-20 19:59:27

O please can we go back to the 1940s could we replace all those children who have complex behaviour problems with ones who will sit in seats and keep quiet. Can we have parents who when you discipline their child back you up and don't threaten to come round and biff you one. Can we do without continuing assessment and just have exams at 16 and 18, can we stop teachers being constantly observed and reported on and just let them do the job...?
I could go on but you have probably got the message that too many things have changed.
If anyone doubts about teachers and abusive parents I was once berated by a mother because her daughter was the last child out. I tried to explain that I had had to make her leave the line because she was kicking the person in front of her. I was told in very ripe language in front of the child that I had no right to do that.
1940s Anyone?

Sunlover Tue 16-Jun-20 19:59:22

Grandad. Education has changed beyond recognition and in my opinion we have learnt from the past and a much fuller all round education is available today. In an ideal world all children would be back in school full time but at the moment that is not safe or possible. I have no doubt most teachers are working hard and have their pupils best interests at heart.
I really get the feeling you don’t like teachers. ???

Callistemon Tue 16-Jun-20 19:55:56

growstuff

Most people at school before 1947 had a pretty rubbish education. It wouldn't really have mattered if they'd lost a few months.

That would be my brothers and DH, then.
All seemed to have had a very good education.
Although my DB had to learn Greek which has been of no use whatsoever.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 19:49:42

growstuff, a few months, that war lasted for six years. ???

growstuff Tue 16-Jun-20 19:44:59

Most people at school before 1947 had a pretty rubbish education. It wouldn't really have mattered if they'd lost a few months.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 19:42:33

Sunlover, in regard to your above post @19:37 today, all things change with the passage of time. However, those that do not learn from the events of the past are often condemned to failure in the present.

It would appear that all involved in the "Education Establishment" see themselves as way above us mere mortals.

However, those involved in employment in industries and sectors outside of education are achieving great success in bringing those industries and sectors fully back into operation, while those who picture themselves as educated gods in the schools sector are bringing about the total failure of that sector in the present crisis.

growstuff Tue 16-Jun-20 19:40:20

At the age of 9, my mother was evacuated to a school in rural Herefordshire to escape the Blitz. Most of the children of her age couldn't even read. My mother was learning nothing. My grandmother was so shocked that she withdrew my mother and took her back and risked the bombing.

Lucca Tue 16-Jun-20 19:25:03

Apart from which when I see and hear about how teachers are adapting to the current crisis I would say that equates to Blitz mentality as it happens.

Sunlover Tue 16-Jun-20 19:23:39

Grandad have you actually been in a school since the Blitz? Things have changed a bit since then.

Lucca Tue 16-Jun-20 19:22:10

I’m. It sure why you need it pointing out again, But teaching in 1940’s did not involve government directives about curriculum content, health and safety etc etc etc.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 19:18:16

Lucca, I will respond in kind to your above post @ 19:04 today. In that those involved in education throughout the second world war and the Blitz, were perhaps far a better generation in keeping schools ruining in times of great stress.

As stated, that generation accomplished the continuous full operation of schools for all parents in their time of trial, while this generation has entirely failed in that objective, if indeed they have such an objective.

Perhaps looking back and learning how that was achieved would be to the benefit of this supposedly learned generation in education.

Lucca Tue 16-Jun-20 19:14:34

Thanks luckygirl.

Luckygirl Tue 16-Jun-20 19:13:30

I am just intrigued as to why someone with no knowledge of the education system is so determined to criticise. I can see why that might have been the case at the outset, when he was labouring under a misunderstanding, but here we are, several pages later, with so many with expertise in the field telling him how it really is and it is falling on deaf ears.

I am confident that he does not represent the bulk of the population who thankfully recognise all the hard work - and yes imagination (how could one be a teacher with no imagination!?) - that is being brought to bear by dedicated staff.

Lucca Tue 16-Jun-20 19:04:53

Just read one of grandads posts against my better judgement . The blitz was mentioned, which is clearly relevant to schools in 2020.

I honestly feel it would be as well to abandon this thread and leave grandad to sermonise and criticise anyone involved in education.

I am struggling not to use language unbecoming to a grandmother.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 18:55:25

Luckygirl, in regard to your post @18:31, you reference the restraint under legislation that you feel that Education is under.

That is why I believe the HSE should become involved in the school's crisis problems, as that body has the power to investigate and then put forward to the government any solutions they bring forward as a recommended directive.

The above is the procedure the HSE carried out to suspend the LGV Drivers hours Regulations at the start of the Coronavirus crisis which quickly was shown to be to the benefit of all when panic buying ensued.

Similar action could be to the benefit of all parents in the school's situation.

Galaxy Tue 16-Jun-20 18:39:16

Actually if anyone needs them there are some brilliant resources available (prepared by teachers) to support children with autism and those with other additional needs through the process of social distancing at school.

Galaxy Tue 16-Jun-20 18:36:25

My son is back from school today, amazing innovation from the school in terms of producing videos, PowerPoints, to support the children on how this is going to work. My son knew exactly how his new environment was going to look. Comprehensive risk assessment, new behaviour policy, Trisher is right the issue of behaviour management and restraint is a complex one.

Luckygirl Tue 16-Jun-20 18:31:49

I think what needs to be understood is that schools, unlike private companies, have to abide by the rules and regulations that have come to them from the DfE. This is true with or without the virus, and it is a constant straight jacket and stumbling block to innovation in schools.

Please be assured that schools are using imagination and innovation and that they have worked their tripe out over the last few months - and that they have the well-being of all pupils in the centre of their minds.

If anyone is in any doubt about this, I would suggest that they talk to teachers and visit schools to reassure themselves.

Sunlover Tue 16-Jun-20 18:28:45

May 7, I couldn’t agree more.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 18:28:26

trisher, in regard to your above post the HSE cannot become involved in any situation unless they are invited to do so by an employer, industry, sector or the government. The exception to the above is where there has been under legislation a reportable accident or incident or where a safety audit has been carried out that reveals serious safety hazards in a workplace.

Therefore in the above, I believe that an approach by the trade union(s) involved with state education in Britain would bring them to engage in the current Schools situation. Should they then come forward with any solutions, those solutions could then be put forward as guidance or even a recommend directive to the government.

May7 Tue 16-Jun-20 18:22:34

Maybe it's because the experts went to school a long long time ago.
Just listen to the teachers they are the true experts

Sunlover Tue 16-Jun-20 18:15:23

Makes my blood boil when people think because they went to school they are experts in teaching and running a school. No wonder so many teachers throw in the towel and move on to other jobs!!!!

Galaxy Tue 16-Jun-20 18:13:26

I was clear I was talking about tips not reguse collection from houses. The schools were open before them and before general retail.

trisher Tue 16-Jun-20 18:10:26

The problem with asking the HSE to be involved is who makes that request. LEAs might have got together and organised something but most of their staff are working from home and they have a lot on their plate. Individual schools don't have the power. And I very much doubt if even the HSE could work something out for all schools before September. After all even if more cash is injected individuals will have to be asked if they are willing to work.
The other problem with rotas fror schools is of course the parents. Nursery schools who operate with one group in the morning and another in the afternoon often have parents protesting because they don't like the session they have been given. Trying to satisfy them all will be impossible.

Grandad1943 Tue 16-Jun-20 17:56:07

Galaxy

In fact schools were open way before the skips and the general retail sector.

The refuge sector (or skips as you wrongly term it) Galaxy has never ceased full domestic collections even though little in the way of Covid-19 protection can be offered to those collecting that refuge.

Schools have never come anywhere near full operation since the lockdown began.

I, therefore, find that post nothing short of a diversion tactic in this thread Galaxy.