Reassuring news: Schools opened again in Denmark with success.

I’d be perfectly happy to copy the Danish education and childcare system. But we’d need the Danish level of taxation and teachers’ pay too.

I've just watched the video and I'll repeat …

Those children were at least seven. It would be difficult to get 4 and 5 year olds to behave like that.

Another difference was the desks. Each child had a single desk. I have never seen reception and Year 1 pupils sitting at desks in rows like that. They are also used to sharing equipment.

I agree absolutely with furret. This is about relieving parents of childcare responsibilities, not education.

There is conflicting evidence about whether children can be carriers. It has not been proved that they aren't.

Oh dear! Furrett. The clip from the school is only about 3 mins long. Hopefully you get the opportunity to watch it tomorrow.

My thread did narrow it down and I said watch it from 22.45 as that included the part from parliament but to help start it from 27.00.

I see it translating to our year 6 classes. Nearly my whole career has been with Year 5/6, from small village schools to a large city schools, one with an ERF for deaf children.

Furrett. I'm quite aware of "specimen" lessons and would never use them myself as an example for other teachers/schools. I was an advisor (advanced skills teacher) for a few years and would lead by example: teaching a class to aid the support I gave teachers.

But the clip isn't such (ie a specimen lesson). Take a look !

WOODMOUSE. Your ‘clip’ is 16 minutes long and I would have to wade through several other Covid-related news items to get to it. However, and I’m trying not to sound arrogant here honestly, I am very familiar with the Danish education system which I consider, is excellent, and only second to the Finns.

I doubt very much whatever good practice is shown would translate into many of our schools and our pupils. I don’t want to carry on this discussion because I’m now very weary of the whole business so please forgive me if I sign off.

My ‘assumptions‘ we’re merely one professional to another so I’m sorry you took that amiss,

Good night,,

Furrett

You make a lot of wrong assumptions about me.

Please watch the report as it would give you the answers you seek

I agree that three weeks is not enough. However re clips...I’m sure we have both seen specimen lessons that bear no resemblance to actual practice. I think you know what I mean.

I started this thread as an opportunity to look at how this Danish school has restructured a classroom for their older primary age pupils. I didn't say it would apply to a whole school and neither did I say it would as easy to apply for every year group.

I don't know how many have taken a look at the clip but from reading some comment, I don't think some have.

I stress and repeat myself again, for the few here, in saying I would hope that UK schools are given enough support by UK Gov to make it as safe as possible for children and staff to return to schools. This means time and money. The 3 weeks they have is not enough time.

Well there’s no point in arguing the point as we come from two totally different philosophies, and backgrounds too I imagine.

All countries have to get children back to school and workers back to work at some point soon....we can’t all stay at home until a vaccine is found.

I have been wandering that myself about you furret ( for some time actually.)
So, has France got it wrong too, in your expert view, or any other country that is going for a phased back to school policy?

With respect lemon there is so much wrong in your post I am left wondering if we live on the same planet.

Let’s face it - the only reason this is being pushed is a child minding one. Get the people back to work. Funny that secondary schools are unlikely to open on June 1st....oh wait a minute! They are old enough to look after themselves.

All this guff in the Times about ‘it being essential to provide children with education’ (but only if primary age) and slagging off Teaching Unions (which I’ve even seen on here) is simply to get the workers back and protect the ‘economy’ (aka their profits).

England stands alone in this. Well done other UK countries who put health before wealth.

The danger to children from the virus is very very low.Any old/old-ish teaching staff that think they are at risk shouldn’t be the ones returning, but no reason for others not to turn up to work.
Schools in all countries will get back to normality sometime soon, it’s not just here, France are getting younger children back to school just as we are.

Also you have dismissed the huge difference between infection rates in Denmark and here. So you are ‘aware’? And still don’t get the point.

WOODMOUSE I’m very surprised that you, with your experience in primary schools, are suggesting that this is feasible. From a management perspective alone - the cleaning, corridor space, cloakrooms, the school gate, toileting, playtimes & school dinners it present so many H&S issues that I would hesitate to even attempt a risk assessment.

Then add in basic equipment, books, computers, PE and so on before we even consider what PPE staff need (pupils?) and the impossibility of social distancing.

What would be an acceptable number of school staff and pupil deaths? 50? 100? 500?

Exactly Luckylegs. It's feasible, but only if the resources (finances) are provided for a safe working environment.

If Denmark can do it, maybe our schools could be provided with resources such as hand sanitiser, the space for social distancing - and not starting until children are 6 or 7 and hopefully more able to understand the need to keep away from others.

There was a knowledgeable lady on tv yesterday explaining the difference. Denmark only has something like 6 million population, we have 66 million. They have been given money to pay for sinks outside, many more staff, much larger classrooms than us etc etc. There is no comparison, it’s not a fair comparison.

SueDomin I accept that this has been particularly bad for disadvantaged children, but I wonder which parents will actually send their children back to school. I also wonder whether the quality of the provision in some homes is really that much worse than what children would have received in school.

I don't know how typical my area is (probably not very), but there is a thriving home-schooling community, particularly at primary level. There are all sorts of reasons for that. I know that a number of parents have become more attracted to the idea.

No lemon but at least until our rate of infections has reduced sufficiently. And how are we like DK?

The key issue for me is our high rate of new infections

Do posters think that schools should stay closed until next year, when there is a possible vaccine?!
They have to get back to normal at some time.

If Denmark can do it, we can do it.It’s time the schools went back in phased numbers.