Covid in Schools

There will be another week of online learning for my DGD at a Welsh school - which could be more intensive than would normally be the case in the last week of the Christmas term as there will be none of the usual Christmas activities.

Susieflo- i think yours is a good idea- But for some older pupils then thats a problem in regard to their money-for food, clothing etc, and prescriptions, dental etc, as they get young peoples tax credits when still in full time education it must stop at 20 yrs- (or when they leave full time education) so who is going to pay for their 'keep' or living costs then, if it overlaps? (My other son was still at college till very nearly 21- due to his birthdate, so oldest in class) but got nothing from gov't from 20 yrs birthday- so i had to subsidise him out of my disability money- but some people cannot manage this- he couldnt get UC as still in full time education, and when he left college he got UC but they wouldn't accept his severe disabilities (which he did have on tax credits) and pay him accordingly- he felt forced into uni to get enough to live on, but couldnt keep up with his peers- now hes taking a 'gap year ' as he doesnt feel safe while covid is rife in his uni, and hes got health problems.Same problem for my youngest, (17) -hes younger in his year, but has been forced to return to college because if they boot him out completely hes got no full time education, so NO money to live on (tax credits) and NO free prescriptions, which he has a lot of due to his many health problems.So how would 'extending' the older kids education work, unless gov't rules changed towards their money to live on???

Secondary schools attendended by my GCs are taking on-line teaching seriously, with register taken at beginning of each class. Long-promised extra tablets of lap tops for those who have inadequate tech at home have still not been delivered.?
I think the govt wants to be able to say that schools stayed open, did not anticipate this and Sec of State is incapable of responding.
Why aren't teachers added to the vaccine priority list?

Ah - I see our illustrious government is now threatening to sue schools who offer online learning, and close classrooms.

Such a joy to know that Johnson's crew have this under control.

A recent report in Austria and published in 'Der Spiegel' counteracts the UK Government's long held belief about transmission in schools. This makes for an interesting read:

Der Spiegel: Children May Be Driving the Pandemic

The only way to stop the spread of covid in school is to close them . Until there is a nation wide vaccination as soon as the school opens they will be in the same situation again . When we people realize covid is not going away .

All children ARE supposed to wear masks in schools/colleges- BUT there's so many 'get out clauses' not to wear them its ridiculous! asthma for one- yet my son (17) severe asthma sufferer says he considers it MORE of a reason to wear one if you have asthma- he actually wears 2 at once, just to be safe,(and gloves) yet still managed to pick up a bug of some kind in college in september, which made him extremely ill, so if 'other' bugs can be passed, so can covid! (Definitely caught it college, he's not your typical teen, he does not socialise, he stays in house as he's got a few health problems) One of my other sons is a bus driver, and he agrees with him, if you have all these other health reasons then its all the more reason to actually wear a mask, not do without it.He won't let folk on his bus without a mask on!

The reason numbers have risen so dramatically in London boroughs such as Bromley and Croydon is the cases in schools. Whole year groups are being sent home and some schools are half empty. It isn't being publicised enough. The problem with opening schools was that the buildings simply aren't big enough to accommodate the rising population. Corridors are narrow and classrooms too small. A great breeding ground for anything, from minor colds to Covid. This has not really been dealt with by successive governments and we are now seeing the worst case scenario.

I'm in a 1form entry primary. A supply came for a morning, had a call from track and trace and left at dinner. From that TA and son, 12 pupils, 6adults from families and 4 sibling's tested positive, so 5 classes had to isolate. 4 pupils had no symptoms but parents got them tested anyway and came back positive! We are back on Mon for three days but already some parents are not going to send their chdn back as want a safe Christmas.

Having worked in a school I have been extremely concerned about their dealing with COVID. Virtually all pupils had a disruption to their education last year. My thoughts are that all pupils should repeat last year but going in part time, catching up with last years work and so not all pupils are in at same time and could be better spaced out.
There would then not be school leavers looking for non existent jobs. Universities would miss out on fees but the government could have chipped in there instead of unemployment benefit for school leavers, eat out scheme and probably other things too.
As for new intake of 4/5 year olds that could be staggered over next few years.
Any thoughts anyone?

SillyNanny123 in our school everyone now has to wear masks since last Monday. This is because of rising contacts and cases. Stable and horse as usual.

As soon as pupils are outside the school gates there seems to be little or no social distancing between them. This tends to be snior schools as children are collected at primary schools.
Different schools seem to have different rules about the number of infections present before self isolating becomes necessary. So just because 2 schools are closed or down on pupil numbers doesn't mean they both have high cases numbers.

Some schools/colleges locally (north west- tier3) are closing for xmas on 17th, but goodness knows what will happen when they reopen in early january when loads of people/families have mixed over xmas! (Not us 3 in our house thank God, were staying home &having no visitors!) But then college will expect my son to back as his attendance was so low since he got ill in sept. We all 3 in our house have underlying health problems. And im so worried for all my GC having to go back to school in jan too. (9GC, 6 school age) I don't understand why the gov't don't consider it a priority to vaccinate all under 18's earlier- especially the ones with disabilities/health conditions- if theyre in education, (schools/colleges/universities) they should ALL be vaccinated higher on the list as the potential to spread covid is immense?

Forgot to say why cannot all school children wear masks at school?

If schools cannot be closed then why cant children be tested once a week? My GD 5 years old has to isolate till just before Christmas. My 9 year old GS still goes to school. My DS works & DiL stays home with the 5yr old. Totally crazy as they could be spreading the virus by not having to isolate with my GD. All this because a boy in GD class tested positive! Happy Christmas for all I think not. Cannot wait for my turn, though long way off, for the vaccine!

I see secondary school pupils going about nearly every day. Absolutely no social distancing or masks in stores or outside. Have an open space near me and the kids in neighbourhood are all out playing football, again absolutely no social distancing by older ones. Parents know what is going on but just don't
bother. 16-18 year olds are expected to wear masks within school but once out of that environment all precautions are totally disregarded.No wonder school aged chikdren are spreading it.

My son's inlaws live with their daughter, a teacher, in Manchester. The daughter caught covid at school and took it home to her parents. Both are over 80, caught it and were hospitalised. Fortunately they survived and are now home. I am not sure why pupils education is considered more important than people's health. Kids can study at home.

I’m in a bubble with my daughter and her family which includes my grandchildren age 8 and 11. Granddaughter at high school has only missed school through isolation once and that was due to a teacher testing positive. Their regime is working really well. Grandson at primary school has just gone back after his 3rd time in isolation. Out of 15 teachers 12 have had the virus. I take my grandson and pick up from school and abide by the rules set out by the school, social distancing, wearing a mask and going in one gate and leaving by another but there are lots of parents who stand in groups talking, no masks. let their other siblings run around together and walk in the out gate when you are leaving because they can’t be bothered walking a few yards further. The school can only do so much, it’s down to the parents to show some sense. They are the first to moan when child has to isolate and they have to take time off work. I’m praying neither has to isolate anytime next week otherwise I’m on my own for Christmas.

Yes Mrs T you can give me all the 'spiel'the college did but it changes nothing!- my sons college has had a few cases of covid they shut a whole block down- But- the 'class bubbles' go home and mix with other family members- who've been in 'other bubbles' at school or work, or have working parents, some key or frontline workers, so bring back into school/college potential covid or other sickness bugs- its got to stop!! Kids of all ages are still helping spread this (even if they're asymptomatic and don't know) they can't keep using schools etc as 'babysitting' so parents can work - they could at least stop kids of parents who are at home from attending if nothing else- or older kids/teenagers who don't need 'babysitting' by teachers/tutors! It might cut the covid spread dramatically! ?

BassGrammy I think all schools have tried really hard to keep the children safe but unfortunately it depends where the school is . My grandsons school is in Epping where the figures are rocketing .

I really don’t think it’s just secondary schools though .
My 7 year old grandson was sent home with his whole class to isolate because there was a case in his bubble. Within a week, 5 other classes were also sent home and many of the teachers including the head and deputy were contacted by track and trace and told to self isolate.
The school has now closed completely . They are finding that many of these little ones are testing positive but with no symptoms at all.

I have four grandchildren, in four different schools, two primary and two secondary. Only one of them has had one day off during the term. The other three have had no cases in their schools. I think most schools have handled it extremely well, but they have no control over what the children do out of school. Parents find it difficult too, its hard to tell the kids they can’t have a friend round, when they are sitting next to that friend all day in school!

MrsT63

I work in a large secondary school with 6th form in a Tier 3 area and we’re following public health England advice, keeping students in totally separate year group bubbles, limited movement, always sitting in same seats in lessons, wearing masks when moving around. Staff keeping their distance. Had low numbers of positive cases that look like they have been transmitted from contacts outside school and no obvious in school transmissions. Positive students close contacts in school ie those seated around them and any social contacts at breaks and travelling to school are immediately contacted and isolated for 14 days. We’ve only had to ask a few small groups to isolate not full year groups. If it’s managed properly it seems to work and I feel perfectly safe.

Its all very well keeping to their bubbles in school but then once the gates are open they all go home together and get on the bus en masse.
I actually think the government isn't too fussed about whether students and school children get the bug as they are rarely more than mildly ill. The potential problem is with those who they could pass it on to.

This subject is the bane of my life at the moment- they should close schools & colleges not keep them open for 'babysitting' for working parents- my grandson 15 caught covid at school, (tested positive) then so did younger his sister (at same school) and his little brother (8yrs) and his early baby sister- and his mum, as it went round family! Only one negative was his dad (my eldest son) so he was one looking after them all, as my DiL got it the worst of them all- they ALL were self isolating for 2 wks and not back in school over 3 wks as so poorly! Ive been so worried for them all as my GC 3 of them have other health conditions and the baby was premature- my son has copd too so ive been so panicked by this! Also my own youngest son 17 is still in college and got a 'bug' of some kind(not covid thank God) after 3 days attended in sept.Now hes had (been forced) to go back, by college even though hes got underlying health problems and severe asthma, as Gov't says they must attend education- its bloody ridiculous!! Using kids like cannon fodder is what i call it!

I work in a large secondary school with 6th form in a Tier 3 area and we’re following public health England advice, keeping students in totally separate year group bubbles, limited movement, always sitting in same seats in lessons, wearing masks when moving around. Staff keeping their distance. Had low numbers of positive cases that look like they have been transmitted from contacts outside school and no obvious in school transmissions. Positive students close contacts in school ie those seated around them and any social contacts at breaks and travelling to school are immediately contacted and isolated for 14 days. We’ve only had to ask a few small groups to isolate not full year groups. If it’s managed properly it seems to work and I feel perfectly safe.

It's certainly in the news now, with Wales closing secondary schools one week early but In England the threat of suing if they do that, although mass testing is proposed in the areas with highest rates of infection.
Meanwhile my DGD's primary school has been lucky and escaped: she's not had to isolate and we've heard of no cases.
Who could have thought that putting youngsters, who are virtually young adults, into bubbles of up to 100, knowing they travel to and from school, meeting with those outside their bubbles and return to their homes, same scenario, wouldn't lead to a rise in infections.