AIBU No going back to school I’m furious.

Growstuff, in my school all staff (with the exception of those who are vulnerable/shielding) are teaching in school, classes that they don’t necessarily normally teach. We have reception, Y1 and keyworkers children in school. This is in addition to still managing their own classes who are doing home learning.
We have been and still are working exceptionally hard to deliver education that counts to our children and it infuriates me when I read teacher bashing from so many people.

Ellianne How is the school staffing all the extra classes without additional funding for salaries?

Some primary schools are tiny and don't have a library or a computer suite.

Headteachers can't wave a magic wand and create extra space or staff without extra resources.

JenniferEccles actually speaks a lot of sense. Schools, and in particular Headteachers, have had weeks to plan and make provision for a return to school. Our DGS's school is a good example. It has split the hall into 3 areas divided by screens, (school lunches aren't being offered, so no need for the hall), same for the library and computer suite. In addition the Head has asked the church next door if the school can make use of its hall and outdoor space, the playground has also been divided into zones for each class. The Head is ready to receive all years back by 22nd June.
The government has given its recommendations, but it can't be blamed if schools haven't got their act together. Teachers are supposed to be intelligent people, they should be resourceful and make it happen. Forget the unions, welfare and education are more important than silly principles.

Part of the problem with children going back to school is space. We have to have 2m social distancing which means that in most modern schools which have quite small rooms you can only fit a maximum to 10 children. That means 3 classrooms for one normal sized class of 30. With 7 years in primary school (reception and years 1-6) that’s 21 classrooms needed. I’m a primary school teacher and I’m pleased to have returned to classroom working this week but I’m not sure I’d be as happy about it if social distancing wasn’t being observed. And it’s a two way street, I social distance not only to protect myself from catching the disease, but also to reduce the risk of passing it on if I became asymptomatic.

My grandchildren are year 6 so have gone back. Their school has put them and the two younger years into small pods that stay together with one teacher. Other years could go back doing half days and swapping it would be better than nothing.

We should be thinking about our children’s mental health not just their education. The difference in my girls has been astonishing since they went back to school and can see their friends . They were beginning to show symptoms that would be classed as depression in adults . I’m fed up of people say in g children are resilient , they are the silent sufferers in this mess

12rg12ja
My daughter is in contact with some people RE a march.
If I get any details I'll PM you.

JE with respect you posts are so biased.

There is no evidence that says children are any less likely to transmit COVID-19. The jury is still out on that point.

What is known is that if they get the virus they are less likely to be ill and more likely to be asymptomatic. That is something else.

I’m pleased that common sense coupled with good science had won the day.

The government shouldn’t be blamed for lack of planning.
Schools knew that eventually the children would be back so the head teachers should have been planning for this from day one.

The mainly Left-wing teachers’ unions haven’t helped as they use any excuse to undermine government plans.

Surely the advantages of resuming education outweighs any possible risk ?

Children get carted around supermarkets I have noticed, and even on those idiotic demonstrations we have going on at the moment.

I don't think it's flu that people are worried about, quizqueen. It's coronavirus, much more lethal.

Government guidelines have shilly shalled back and forth until no one knows what is right and what is wrong
I m very very disappointed and upset for my 17 year old in the middle of A levels and now been told because government guidelines have changed they probably won’t be allowed back until January this means that they have lost the best part of a year s work Of course they have been given online work but it is very hard at this standard of work to work on your own n -one in the family has A level sciences so no one can help them and it’s very lonely and damaging
They should have been choosing universities to visit this year

I also used to live in a country fennel that had mornings and afternoon shifts I don’t understand why that couldn’t be done here anything would be better than nothing

It’s ok for them to be working in their little weekend or evening jobs but not to complete their education it’s a shambolic mess

Children are being very let down in this country where continuing education is concerned. My daughters both work in a children's nursery. The younger ones in their care are slobbering over each other and the staff as young children are prone do, I'll let you know how many catch the flu and die. I'll stick my neck out and predict none.

More would have to be employed. 8am - 7 pm day ! . That reminds me of the hours I used to work as a Deputy. Who pays the extra staff Fennel? Gov haven't offered to..

My GD school (secondary) have a 8:30 to 2.00 day (short lunch). However, they run free afterschool care/clubs every day. Many volunteers do it (after being DRB checked) That helps working parents. Teachers do not run these sessions. Teachers have direct and indirected time.

Another idea would be to start with a 'shift' system.But that would be hard on teachers, unless more are employed.
And for working parents.
When we lived in Singapore their schools had a shift system.
8am to 1pm, then 2pm to 7pm.

Romola
I'd do that as well. I expect there would be a long wait for our services to be taken as we'd need a current DRB check.
Safeguarding is taken very seriously in schools now.

I helped out after retiring and waited two months for mine.

There's a much bigger issue than finding teachers. No mention from the government on how all their guidelines will be financed. The gov were quick to finance new hospitals, and additional staffing, etc.

Where's this financial help for schools? I used to be a financial governor of two schools. Budget would never run to salaries for doubling the staff, yet alone more equipment.

Hopefully children will all return to school in September. They will have missed about 3.5 months of education that could have taken place in their school.

I’m worried about my GD, she’s year 10 and is doing work at home but there seems to be no feedback, so for all we know her work could all be terrible. My daughter checks it over but she’s no teacher and my GD who is dyslexic was already struggling even with some help. Goodness knows how she would fare in her GCSEs next year. I do understand the concerns for staff and pupils just what the answer is I have no clue.

Romola - you make an excellent point. It seems that schools are ok to be used as childminding facilities but there's little input into establishing education. I have one grandchild who is basically being 'kept busy', education is becoming the next crisis.

Obviously, the government has been keen to get children back to school so that parents of younger children can go back to work. It's about the economy. And the schools have been open for the children of key workers.
It's not just space that's a problem with reduced class sizes for social distancing, it's supervision of those pupils who are not in a taught class for periods during the day. As a retired secondary teacher, I'd be prepared to volunteer to do a few hours a week.

A former head of Ofsted says that the government lack of planning is 'astonishing', so no you are not being unreasonable. The lack of planning is doing such a disservice who may suffer long term. Summer schools should be on the agenda, plus individual tutoring to bring those who are going to struggle. Most of all those involved need to have a strategy. Another dire situation being again mishandled. www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jun/10/ex-ofsted-chief-michael-wilshaw-failure-reopening-schools-england-astonishing-coronavirus

Children can be silent carriers of Covid 19. Why should teachers, TAs, catering staff, cleaning staff, counsellors etc. be put at unnecessary risk? They are trying really hard to find safe ways of working, but they are not there yet.
Parents with admittedly a strong amount of commitment and effort can work with their children to research the work set for them by schools and can take this valuable opportunity to teach 'life skills'. Think of the brave people putting their lives on the line for us every day and be grateful. A commited parent can do a very good job of teaching their children many skills and what they don't know they can find out. I despair at the pathetic 'fury' expressed. Your own attitude will have a strong influence in forming the mindsets of children and grandchildren. Start by being grateful for what you have and move forward from there. What can you do to help?

Thanks, WOODMOUSE

If people choose to put themselves at risk that's up to them. I've no doubt that they're the ones who are happy to send their children back to school.

But to impose risk on school staff and other people's children is unacceptable. Particularly as they'll have to take the children of the unconcerned parents...

3 of my youngest GGC haven't been off school at all. 9 and 11 year olds have attended 2/3 days at a time, but the teenagers haven't attended since before Easter, they do their school work on computers.

Missing word from my comment:

It is not just the teaching unions - the Government's decision not to open schools for all primary children before the end of term has come from finally listening to headteachers, teachers and some groups of parents.

The schools have to meet Gov guidelines as do all premises/businesses that have opened or are about to open.

Please read either my comment or MazieD's in Should schools open? thread. Then I'd like to read your response to what we both have said.

It is not just the teaching unions - the decision not to open schools for all primary children before the end of term has come from finally listening to headteacher, teachers and some groups of parents.

I read that one expert said a child is more likely to be hit by lightening than to contract coronavirus. He went on to blame 'militant teaching unions'. Its a good time to extract more money from the government though which schools have been asking for ages so of course it will be used as a lever. Pity its the children who will suffer but as you say they can go to the zoo.