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The problem our school has had is that 10% of parents complain that its too much work and too prescriptive and its stressing them and the kids out and they only have 1 computer between 2 kids and an adult working from home. Meanwhile another 10% complain that theres not enough work to keep the kids busy, another 10% complain that the work is too hard for there kids, another 10% complain its too easy, 10% of parents dont know if there is or isnt any work or where to find it, 10% dont have any idea what the kids are doing all day, 10% are lovely, supportive and appreciative whilst happy to make suggestions whilst 10% think I’m an utter useless bell end ( a lower % than stw forumites, so I’ll take that) and finally 50% dont do it anyway. I realise this is more than 100% some people are in more than 1 group, sometimes at the same time!!
We have had no guidance at all. The occasional task on Class Dojo but that is it. We have been doing oak national academy but he can do the lessons in about 2 hours and there seems little content to me. This was fine for a temporary measure for a couple of weeks but if we don't want to send children back then we need to provide serious alternatives and there has been time to look at that now. If people don't want to do it then fine don't make it compulsory but at least give parents who want to do it a chance.
Can asymptomatic carriers really pose a significant risk of transmission? Not finding much evidence from WHO. Seems to be the main reason people are worried.
this is key & its on the government to show that they dont
(& as data above seems to show, viral load seems to be similar)
Torn really. Kids are 5 (reception) and 3 (nursery). Both missing it and with the best will in the world, the eldest isn’t getting the sort of schooling from us that she would at school. I’m lucky to have an easygoing employer that’s let me offload lots of work so I do the essentials in the evening after kids are in bed, plus the odd call in the day, so my wife can focus on her work. We can keep it up till September but it’s worn us down a lot already.
I get all the cases for getting kids back. I don’t see how the guidance can be followed in a reception or nursery setting. My concern is also that all this is supposed to be conditional on the “5 tests” and with the shambles of easing lockdown I suspect we’re heading for a big second wave and the govt will push to open schools regardless.
Our 4yo will be going back the Nursery whenever it opens. The Nursery have said there will be no attempt at social distancing of any kind.
Our 8yo will be going back to School whenever it opens.
Wife is a teacher and has been on site sporadically throughout.
Our logic for returning the kids is simply that if we don't send them back when the settings openwhat date would we choose? There will be no substantial change for a year or so if ever.
If the entire family get infected we won't pass it on to elderly relatives because we aren't seeing elderly relatives other than via zoom.
I can't fully quantify the risk but all four of us have a 45 minutes commute on a road with several accident blackspots. I can't imagine the CV poses a greater risk than that.
(Of course, if parents don't send their kids back then SWMBO's job will be at risk. If a large number of kids are homeschooling for 12 or 24 months or maybe forever they will need less teachers. We haven't factored that into our decision because we think most parents will send their kids back in September regardless, but who knows?)
Sorry but I just want to scream at the keyboard.
Jekkyl, I'm not sure I can say anything to convince you that your wife might be onto something.
We as a nation, are being told that its "OK" to send our children back to school by Boris, Cummings and Gove. You remember those guys? The ones that referred to women in burkas as "letter boxes", the ones who systematically ripped apart the school system and the ones who have some very weird views about eugenics. The ones who created the bus with £350m written on the side. The ones who continually claim that they are "being lead by the science" but then redact huge amounts of the SAGE documents released a few days ago.
Do you trust Gove, Cummings and Boris more than your wife?
Gove, Johnson, and the Mail say it’s safe to go back. The BMA say it’s not safe yet.
Now, who should I listen to? Who has my best interests at heart?
Quite right, make your own minds up.
I’m in the “outofbreath” mindset personally.
If the school could provide a home learning schedule then that would be great with clear direction as to what the child should be doing. That has been lacking from our perspective so if it isn’t safe for schools to return and the unions support that then they could support parents in other ways.
That's a shame; lots of schools locally are putting in place timetabled online lessons every day for all year groups. Most schools I have personal knowledge of also plan to accept the identified groups from 1st or 8th June (not 'reopen', as schools have had key worker and vulnerable students in all the time), despite what the unions might be saying.
What makes me cross is Gov saying face masks advised in crowded places (transport, shops) but not in schools/classrooms.
Those saying that ‘nothing will be different’ come July or September or in 12 months time… why do you claim that? Sorry. Nothing more nuanced to add. Saying ‘returning to school buildings has to happen at some point, so may as well be first week in June, why delay?’ is just wilful ignorance.
At the moment it's a plan to be achieved if possible, not a compulsion that must happen. I understand the concerns, but it's exercised a lot of time and bandwidth.
Schools reopening has not triggered rise in Covid-19 cases, EU ministers told
"The reopening of schools in 22 European countries has not led to any significant increase in coronavirus infections among children, parents or staff, a videoconference meeting of education ministers from around the EU has heard."
That’s encouraging 👍🏼
not a compulsion that must happen
You say that… but experience says otherwise. I can’t say much more, but not all schools are taking this as ‘if possible’, or ‘if made safe’, or ‘if tests are met’, they are insisting that social distancing measures are now over for all their staff already. No compulsion for kids and parents next month perhaps, not true for staff… and staff mixing should be more of a concern than pupils mixing, if it turns out to be correct that transmission by kids is unlikely.
Schools reopening has not triggered rise in Covid-19 cases, EU ministers told
Did those 22 countries reduce the base of infected people before opening schools? Schools need to open, but only once we have the virus under control, and we are isolating new flare ups. What measures were put in place in schools in those countries, are we meeting or exceeding those measures when we reopen schools?
Schools reopening has not triggered rise in Covid-19 cases, EU ministers told
“The reopening of schools in 22 European countries has not led to any significant increase in coronavirus infections among children, parents or staff, a videoconference meeting of education ministers from around the EU has heard.”
So far so good.
All those countries had lower infection rates adn falling faster.
Some councils will refuse to open schools, non in Wales, Scotland or NI will open. Teachers have the right to refuse to work if risks are not minimised.
the government will not show the scientific advice thats says its safe
R is rising
My bet is the government backs down because otherwise its just going to be chaotic and piecemeal.
Can asymptomatic carriers really pose a significant risk of transmission? Not finding much evidence from WHO. Seems to be the main reason people are worried.
Either this was a total waste of time or you don't need to actually have the virus to spread it.
The government not presenting the data before announcing just seems to have caused more chaos....
I think dowsing roads with disinfectant is probably a waste of time, yes.
We have two yr 6's and we decided last night that they are going back. One is desperate to, the other less so as she has a history of school-anxiety. However we think it will be better for her to go back otherwise she will struggle come September with almost 6 months away from a properly structured school environment.
Our school seem to have good procedures in place (15 per class, staggered study/meal/break times, only mix with people in their revised class groups etc).
Ours are pre-school,yr1 and yr3 currently,they're not going back until September.
Firstly due to the possible risks, but also from a mental well being kind of way, its not fair on the middle one sending him back when the others aren't going and if they're meant to be separate from what could be their normal group (don't know how that'll work) its just not on. Also there is a distinct possibility they won't even be taught by teachers due to the small class sizes, so whats the point really.
I mean, he's 6, how badly can it affect his future anyway!?!?
Schools reopening has not triggered rise in Covid-19 cases, EU ministers told
Which is great but our infection rate and numbers of deaths/day is still higher than most of those maxxed out at, what was the level that they were at when the restrictions were lifted? How many of them have testing, tracking and tracing in place? What is the classroom density like normally/following school restart?
We have 5 "tests" which are so vague as to be meaningless and can be fudged in any way you want to make the case for barging ahead blindly.
It's all well and good the government saying trust us it'll be fine, but through this whole thing they have shown arrogance and incompetence and failing to deliver actions at the appropriate time which has led to the UK having the worst record in Europe. Everything has happened too late despite plenty of examples elsewhere and now to counter that we are rushing to reopen too soon.
I've got 2 kids, 5 and 14.
As some others have said above, I think we all have to accept that, at least at the moment we all have to learn to live with it. There is no cure, or vaccine and they may never come.
Even if we hadn't already been exposed to it, I would be sending the youngest, she's showing signs of stress, nightmares and mood swings. We're both working (Me from home) so it's not like we have hours every day to home-school. Were doing about an hour a day. At first she missed school, now she doesn't want to go and is becoming more and more introverted.
The Eldest spends all day in his room, he goes days on end without ever leaving the house even for exercise, we've encouraged him, but he doesn't want to go. He's supposedly doing school work, but I see little evidence for it. Again his mood is getting increasingly bad.
I've come to terms with the fact that this pandemic is about choosing the least worst option and not the best. The idea of keeping them at home for another 3 months fills me with dread, not only for their mental heath but yes, economically, I grew up very poor and I don't want my kids to do the same. The best scientific evidence we have at the moment shows that it's almost certain that under 10s can't pass the virus to adults and rarely if ever get sick. Other countries in the EU have reopened their schools without a spike in cases. And as more data comes in it becomes clearer that the % of people who are either completely asymptomatic or have such mild symptoms it easily manageable at home is in the 90% range now.
Living in Wales it seems unlikely either of my kids will be going to school in 2 weeks, I suspect we'll lag a week behind just because they said they wouldn't be going back on the 1st of June.
Let’s send the House of Commons and House of Lords back first. See how that works out.
^^^ WHS. If it's safe enough for them, it's safe enough for everyone.
Those saying that ‘nothing will be different’ come July or September
The risk to each individual is small it will be smaller in september as numbers are halfing every week or thereabouts. The problem is not risk to individuals but a risk to 65million.
Those countries that have sent kids back are ones that have had very low infection rates like Denmark which has had less deaths in total than we have had in 6hours, its not comparable. Are italy or spain sending kids to school?
Belgium is an interesting one as they are starting to open up and they have a higher death/million than us!
Ours will be going back when available, probably part time to minimise risk.
My son's school is currently closed and we are offered the option of attending a "hub" 10 miles away with no wrap around care beyond 9-15.
My youngest's nursery is closed until 1st of June.
Both my wife and I are nurses. I've lost count of COVID patients I've been exposed to.
Am I wrong to now send my kids to school as I guess we are both risky clients?
The government and local authority don't make it easy for us to not need the school/nursery setting.
The problem we have is this: we are expected to work but can't find appropriate care for our children. Currently both are bundled to a child care provider 10 miles away again as it's the only place that will accommodate our shifts. Didn't think in 2020 I'd still be paying for two children so I can attend work but hey. Such is life. Granted it's only 1-2 days a week as it's to be minimal. Still equates to £98 a day which adds up.
This current provider is now unsure if they can support us come June as they may have their own children coming back potentially leaving us stranded again.
School have said if they do open they won't provide wrap around care
Childminders aren't taking on where we are.
Can't ask family or friends for obvious reasons.
Working opposite each other as much as possible.
Something has to give.
Some people we know who are furloughed are moaning they are bored at home with their kids. That's ok for them if they aren't both pulling a 30-48 hour week at work, trying to homeschool and paying a premium just to get to work as expected.
Yes. I know kids are my responsibility but this isn't a normal situation and I'm beginning to crumble with no family/friend support. It's near 1pm I've just finished a run of nights at 0800 this morning and have to contend with my boys fighting for another 5 hours until my wife gets home and I can sleep.
The new normal needs to be established.
Woe is me. Just craving some normality and sleep.
I wouldn't be sending kids back to school now. our infection rates are still too high. Assuming the infection rate keeps falling then going back in August "should" be ok (or it better be as I'll be a newly qualified teacher and want a job lol )
^^^ WHS. If it’s safe enough for them, it’s safe enough for everyone
I think them politicians left school some time ago, not that you’d know it listening to them
olly2097
Your situation sounds very tricky - wishing you all the very best sounds like you are doing a very tough job all round.
it better be as I’ll be a newly qualified teacher and want a job lol
Have you been doing your PGSE (or similar) this year?
Myself and some colleagues were trying to work out where the lockdown leaves PGSE students, as they won't have finished their teaching practice and therefor probably won't be signed off this year.
Can you still apply for jobs, or is it a matter of finishing training next term?
Just had a letter from calderdale council saying that they are advising schools not to reopen on the 1st June.....
@ajantom. In Scotland it has been decided to call a halt on the year. My probationer has been kept,so would hope it was the same down sarf.
My brother's kids in Norway are back at school but Norway is identifying sub 30 new cases each day nationwide (yesterday 8), and can trace, test and isolate these. Deaths, for comparison, in Norway, were 1 yesterday. Their max was 16 on 20 April, and only 3 other days have had more than 10. If we had 8 new cases and one death here in Scotland - similar population - with robust TTI in place, I'd be happy to be back in school. We are not there yet, but hopefully moving in the right direction.
Just had a letter from calderdale council saying that they are advising schools not to reopen on the 1st June…
Statement on their website…
http://news.calderdale.gov.uk/keeping-schools-safe-during-covid-19/
The "good news" on that EU return is nonsense as a comparison, as they were at a much lower base than we will be, even if it's all good news in the next two weeks.
Eldest is Year 12, so potentially in for some face to face contact. He says he'll go in. It would do him good. I trust the college to only open if they think it will be as safe as they can make it. Probably drive him in (10 miles) rather than have him hanging around waiting for the college bus at both ends of the day.
The “good news” on that EU return is nonsense as a comparison, as they were at a much lower base than we will be, even if it’s all good news in the next two weeks.
If it showed a pattern of infection via schools in two weeks time other countries would be *very* foolish to dismiss it on the basis they're starting from different bases and therefore not 'comparable' to them.
I cycled past the village pond on Saturday and it was full of families mixing, with kids playing together –
If the local kids are all mixing together at the pond, what's the difference to mixing at the school?
There's risk and contact where-ever they are coming together
Bury Council have sent a letter saying not yet, ours are year 2 and 4 so not in the priority list anyway. It's school transmission that is the big unknown, my two want to go back but what if that's risking the health of the teachers? what school benefit do they get from a social distanced experience compared to online stuff with my halfarsed tuition style? no easy answers to that I know.
Although it's a bit of a pita jamming my work into half a morning and my wife and I exchanging childcare for work over lunch it's certainly a fortunate position compared to others so I'll continue to do what we are at the moment and take the lead from the school, when they tell us they're ready then we will support the head's choice. The school and LEA will make better choices that Bozo and his selfish gang.
Boomerlives
Opening schools is a much higher risk. All those parents and cars. Kids in enclosed spaces.
The more possible contacts the higher the risk and it multiplies rather than adds.
If the local kids are all mixing together at the pond, what’s the difference to mixing at the school?
That's the problem, isn't it - they're mixing now, and will be rife to give everyone a dose come schooltime if children can indeed transmit it.
I suppose it's as simple as this really.
If you trust that the government is sending your children back to school based purely on their education and is taking every precaution to keep them* safe then why not?
If you think the decision is probably based far more on political and economic grounds I'd be waiting till you see the government send "their own" back to school at Eton etc etc.
*Their teachers also.
Its clearly political, if they havent the balls to back their view and make it compulsory why should we trust them?
It may well be moot anyway. Only 5%of teachers think it safe
Unions ate opposed. bma agrees with the unions many councils are against
The government has a legal duty to ensure safety
Teachers can refuse and I suspect many will.
Sort of compulsory. You have the choice as a parent, but it is going down as unauthorised absence if the're not there, but you won't be fined. Yet.
Like we tell you what to do, but you're responsible, but we reserve the right to enforce.
Fudge speak
Tj
Sorry, what makes you think that they will refuse?
Imo, they're being put in a crap position, but I don't see signs that they will refuse.