Re-opening Schools?

[planetgeli]

Coronavirus: Schools in Wales to reopen on 29 June

Parents who do not to send their children to school when they reopen on 29 June will not be fined.

www.bbc.co.uk

All schools in Wales will reopen on 29 June, the education minister has said.

They will be open to pupils from all year groups for limited periods during the week, with only a third of pupils in school at any one time, Kirsty Williams said.

Schools and councils will make their own decisions over managing the return.

The summer term has been extended by one week to 27 July, and the autumn half-term holiday will be stretched to two weeks.

Parents who choose not to send their children to school will not be fined and children who fall into the shielding category will carry on with online learning.

Some teaching unions have criticised the move, with NEU Cymru saying its members will be told they do not have to return to school if they feel the risk is too great.

David Evans, from NEU, said the measures were "too much, too soon" and that there was "little or no consultation" over the additional week at the end of July.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I actually think this will make little difference because so few parents will send their kids for 4 weeks, deciding it isn't worth the risk for just the end of the summer term.

 

[philosophical]

Yeah. My point was not about the actual merit of these kinda subjects (I was an Art teacher for years) but more about their perceived and presented status amongst different bits of the population.

I don't want to derail the thread too much on this, but I find the deployment of curricula as classed signifiers interesting, sorry!

No need to apologise to me whatsoever.
The debate about education is interesting to me as and of itself.

 

[planetgeli]

Got a call this morning from school asking me if I was ok to go back to work on the 29th. This was presented as a choice, which quite amazed me. I said yes and was then told planning is in early stages but I could be assured that everything would be done to assure my safety (except provide your own PPE) and that it would not be full time, likely half days and on a rota basis. Also that staff would be assigned one group of children only (likely meaning only 1 or 2 pupils) and we would stay with this group, rather than there being any changing between classrooms. So childcare basically.

So far so good. I'm quite impressed by this. So far.

 

[Red Cat]

planetgeli I thought you might be interested in this free course offered by the University of Essex psychosocial dept who run a degree in working therapeutically with children: Why won’t they behave why can’t they learn | University of Essex

 

[planetgeli]

planetgeli I thought you might be interested in this free course offered by the University of Essex psychosocial dept who run a degree in working therapeutically with children: Why won’t they behave why can’t they learn | University of Essex

Thanks Red Cat that looks interesting. Unfortunately the advertised (first?) talk is on a day I have to travel to London for an MRI, and I'll probably be waiting for a train back at that time. But I'll get in touch with them to register my interest for the other talks. And see if there's some way of maybe getting a download or something for this first talk.

Also, my degree is from Essex University. Not sure if this is a good, bad or neutral thing.

Thanks again, that's very thoughtful of you.

 

[Red Cat]

Thanks Red Cat that looks interesting. Unfortunately the advertised (first?) talk is on a day I have to travel to London for an MRI, and I'll probably be waiting for a train back at that time. But I'll get in touch with them to register my interest for the other talks. And see if there's some way of maybe getting a download or something for this first talk.

Also, my degree is from Essex University. Not sure if this is a good, bad or neutral thing.

Thanks again, that's very thoughtful of you.

No worries

I'd just book here: Why won’t they behave? Why can’t they learn? - A short programme of free online talks on working with troubled children.

I think they're very keen to promote their department, so if it's possible for them to offer you a download I should think they will.

Best of luck with the MRI

 

[Badgers]

Going well then...

Coronavirus: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school - BBC News

The reopening of primary school for all year groups in England is to be ditched by the government.

www.bbc.co.uk

Plans to reopen English primary schools before summer in disarray | Schools | The Guardian

Government sources acknowledge practicalities too difficult for all children to return

amp.theguardian.com

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Going well then...

Coronavirus: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school - BBC News

The reopening of primary school for all year groups in England is to be ditched by the government.

www.bbc.co.uk

Plans to reopen English primary schools before summer in disarray | Schools | The Guardian

Government sources acknowledge practicalities too difficult for all children to return

amp.theguardian.com

On BB2’s class WhatsApp so many parents have been going on about that there’s hope for her year 2 class to return this summer. Luckily I have told her that this is highly unlikely and she’s cool and looking forward to junior school in September (now also, possibly unlikely!). Today’s WhatsApp will be pinging away with upset parents having to dash the hopes of their kids.

Fucking useless government, it has been fairly obvious for a while that schools are buggered, should all be shut until at least September and focus on returning safely then.

 

[Badgers]

Messaged my sister this morning (primary school teacher) who said they fully expected this. They have stayed open for 'at risk' children and those with key worker parents throughout this whole thing and will continue to do so. She is doing two days a week in class and 2/3 days a week at home supporting other teachers + parents with kids at home.

Her main worry is more the next wave of cuts to school budgets and the worsening poverty of the families she works with over the coming decade or more

 

[Spandex]

Going well then...

Coronavirus: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school - BBC News

The reopening of primary school for all year groups in England is to be ditched by the government.

www.bbc.co.uk

Plans to reopen English primary schools before summer in disarray | Schools | The Guardian

Government sources acknowledge practicalities too difficult for all children to return

amp.theguardian.com

So the official government position on reopening schools is now "we don't fucking know - do what you want".

It's this kind of clear sighted vision that's made the country what it is today.

 

[brogdale]

So the official government position on reopening schools is now "we don't fucking know - do what you want".

It's this kind of clear sighted vision that's made the country what it is today.

Yep, the rona-ridden killing field of Europe.

 

[planetgeli]

On BB2’s class WhatsApp so many parents have been going on about that there’s hope for her year 2 class to return this summer. Luckily I have told her that this is highly unlikely and she’s cool and looking forward to junior school in September (now also, possibly unlikely!). Today’s WhatsApp will be pinging away with upset parents having to dash the hopes of their kids.

Fucking useless government, it has been fairly obvious for a while that schools are buggered, should all be shut until at least September and focus on returning safely then.

Yeah, just to reiterate my position, which hasn't changed. Schools should not be going back until September. Particularly not in the half-arsed way being proposed in Wales, which seems to be doing its best to rival England in the chaos it is bringing. The plan is to have some sort of four week trial to supposedly aid with 'getting things ready' for September. In theory this is rubbish and in practise it is going to be a joke with so few parents actually sending their kids in that it is only going to be childcare, not education. In Wales it seems virtually everything is being left to individual schools, which will bring no consistency for a government supposedly in love with a 'national' curriculum.

But my school is different, we're a PRU that handles the most vulnerable kids who are often in danger from their own families. I'm not happy with half-arsed arrangements to go back but feel that if we can provide better childcare and safeguarding for the most vulnerable then we should. As I say, in reality in my school this may well only amount to perhaps less than ten children. But they are ten incredibly vulnerable children and my feeling is if we can do something for them, then we should.

 

[Dogsauce]

So the official government position on reopening schools is now "we don't fucking know - do what you want".

It's this kind of clear sighted vision that's made the country what it is today.

it was kind of like that already tbh, schools had some choice in what they provided (although those under local authority control may have this imposed from above). My place (large stand-alone academy) only opened yesterday for year six and key workers, reception and year one are back next week. Only running mon-thurs with a deep clean on Friday. From the register I glanced at this morning they were expecting 18 key workers and 22 year six (based on parent/carer replies) but no idea how many were actually in.

 

[planetgeli]

Got a call this morning from school asking me if I was ok to go back to work on the 29th. This was presented as a choice, which quite amazed me. I said yes and was then told planning is in early stages but I could be assured that everything would be done to assure my safety (except provide your own PPE) and that it would not be full time, likely half days and on a rota basis. Also that staff would be assigned one group of children only (likely meaning only 1 or 2 pupils) and we would stay with this group, rather than there being any changing between classrooms. So childcare basically.

So far so good. I'm quite impressed by this. So far.

Well well well. Just got an email saying the L.A will be providing us with PPE. Frankly I'll believe it when I see it. As they never provide us with anything (they were going to get laptops out to all our pupils early May - never happened). Also been told it will be a maximum of three 1/2 days a week, with pupils getting a maximum of two 1/2 days. Which barely seems worth it but it's "a logistical nightmare" apparently. And, tbf, it is.

 

[Mattym]

Year 10 back next week. I'm in for 1 full day per week. We've been told to expect each year group for 1 day per week in September and with timetable changes and no social events (parents evenings etc) in person before November.
I'm sure a lot of parents are thinking, September= back to school, when, in reality, it probably means, 'partly back to school' (which, coincidentally, would look good as a slogan on the advertising board of WH Smith & ASDA et al).

 

[Sweet FA]

I've been 'back'* for the last 3 weeks 'teaching'** Y6.

I've had 18 out of 30 chn back - split into 2x bubbles. Got told last night that EY/Y1 provision is starting next week. 2/3/4/5 will be waiting til September I suspect, if then. A smart investment for the capitalist cunt about town is probably in the demountable classroom sector.

We've never even had a conversation about PPE tbh.

The fucking grief from parents though, no matter what you do.




*Bar the first few weeks, I've not really been away; most of us have been in with KW children for 1 week on/2 weeks wfh.
**There's zero teaching of even core subjects.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I've been 'back'* for the last 3 weeks 'teaching'** Y6.

I've had 18 out of 30 chn back - split into 2x bubbles. Got told last night that EY/Y1 provision is starting next week. 2/3/4/5 will be waiting til September I suspect, if then. A smart investment for the capitalist cunt about town is probably in the demountable classroom sector.

We've never even had a conversation about PPE tbh.

The fucking grief from parents though, no matter what you do.




*Bar the first few weeks, I've not really been away; most of us have been in with KW children for 1 week on/2 weeks wfh.
**There's zero teaching of even core subjects.

The whole thing is just child care, isn't it?

 

[Mattym]

I've been 'back'* for the last 3 weeks 'teaching'** Y6.

I've had 18 out of 30 chn back - split into 2x bubbles. Got told last night that EY/Y1 provision is starting next week. 2/3/4/5 will be waiting til September I suspect, if then. A smart investment for the capitalist cunt about town is probably in the demountable classroom sector.

We've never even had a conversation about PPE tbh.

The fucking grief from parents though, no matter what you do.




*Bar the first few weeks, I've not really been away; most of us have been in with KW children for 1 week on/2 weeks wfh.
**There's zero teaching of even core subjects.

Well, yes, 'back'. Have been in for key worker children etc but I meant 'back' as in to teach my specialism and that's poor in terms of PPE and something which I would mention, but I suppose it's one thing not to have mentioned it, meaning the potential for discussion is there, as opposed to whoever, earlier in the thread, mentioned that 'no PPE is allowed in the academy chain'.

 

[Thora]

The whole thing is just child care, isn't it?

My Year 5 child is being taught - he does the same English & maths work in the morning as set for home learning, and in the afternoon they do PE, art, gardening.
I’m not really sure what my Y1 is doing as he won’t tell me - some of the home learning stuff but also lots of art & games, listening to stories.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

My Year 5 child is being taught - he does the same English & maths work in the morning as set for home learning, and in the afternoon they do PE, art, gardening.
I’m not really sure what my Y1 is doing as he won’t tell me - some of the home learning stuff but also lots of art & games, listening to stories.

BB2's school Y1&2 are not allowed to go, YR has six bubbles, one being led by the woman who works in the office, so suspect there is not much teaching going on there...Y2 seems to have been wholly abandoned now, her junior school sent a letter yesterday to say that they had not had the stuff back from us that was sent to infant school to enable them to allocate classes with friendly faces etc., turns out infant school forgot to pass it on, feel really fucking angry about how poorly they have been treated tbh.

 

[MickiQ]

Going well then...

Coronavirus: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school - BBC News

The reopening of primary school for all year groups in England is to be ditched by the government.

www.bbc.co.uk

Plans to reopen English primary schools before summer in disarray | Schools | The Guardian

Government sources acknowledge practicalities too difficult for all children to return

amp.theguardian.com

To the absolute surprise of no-one but this doesn't solve the problem it just kicks the can down the road for a few months, what happens in September?
Mrs Q school has a little over 1500 pupils, They could probably make social distancing work with Y12 and 13 who only have to go in when they have lessons but what about the rest.
The school isn't going to build a dozen new classrooms and hire 40 new teachers between now and first week of September. Bringing the kids in for a couple of days a week is going to have a disastrous effect on their education if it goes on for any length of time.
And this is a sought after school in a middle class area where resources are (relatively) plentiful, it's going to be even harder for schools in more deprived areas who will have to compete for a limited supply of portacabins and supply teachers.
WIlliamson may or may not be a religious man but he must be praying for a breakthrough in the vaccine department

I wouldn't want to make too light of a serious situation but this is worth a read for the LOLs

Williamson can hardly fiddle the science when he can't count to two | John Crace

Education secretary cancels idea of all pupils returning to school after grappling with basic maths

www.theguardian.com

 

[Sweet FA]

The whole thing is just child care, isn't it?

You say that as though it's a bad thing - caring for children is what I do

I get what you're saying though. There has been a lot of colouring in done over the last couple of months. Some chn will be experts at not going over the lines by now.

On the other hand....there are some ace opportunities for running wild & picking and choosing from the curriculum. Yesterday, I was reading something by Morpurgo which lead onto a discussion of the Blitz. Me and my 10xY6 children of wildly varying abilities then spent the rest of the day building an Andersen Shelter in the classroom; researching designs online, loads of independent learning ("er yes, thanks Darryl, can we move on from the corpses photo now please?" ).

We then re-enacted an air raid - siren blasting through the wall speakers, children throwing plastic bottles around to simulate flying debris, running to the shelter trying to avoid being hit; followed by big discussion about how terrifying it would have been etc etc.

No written 'outcome', no testing, no assessment, no observation. A taste of what teaching & learning could look like. (With small classes, freedom to follow where chn want to go; finding the learning opportunities along the way - all pretty much impossible in Y6; it's all about the SATs).

 

[littlebabyjesus]

So who is being protected by social distancing at schools? The kids? They don't need protecting from the virus. The teachers? Unless they have underlying conditions, in which case surely they can be given the option to stay away and the all new testing regime can play a role, neither are they at a massive risk. The rest of us? Should young kids be physically distancing in even the medium term, with all the damage that brings, in order to keep adults safe due to the failings of adults?

I genuinely don't understand this process. It seems entirely irrational to me.

 

[Thora]

BB2's school Y1&2 are not allowed to go, YR has six bubbles, one being led by the woman who works in the office, so suspect there is not much teaching going on there...Y2 seems to have been wholly abandoned now, her junior school sent a letter yesterday to say that they had not had the stuff back from us that was sent to infant school to enable them to allocate classes with friendly faces etc., turns out infant school forgot to pass it on, feel really fucking angry about how poorly they have been treated tbh.

My youngest's infant school are just offering two days a week - at the moment only 10 out of 50 are going so they just have two classes, each with a teacher & TA, one on M&T and one on Th&F. I think the plan is to have 4 classes all together but not sure how they will staff it.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

So who is being protected by social distancing at schools? The kids? They don't need protecting from the virus. The teachers? Unless they have underlying conditions, in which case surely they can be given the option to stay away and the all new testing regime can play a role, neither are they at a massive risk. The rest of us? Should young kids be physically distancing in even the medium term, with all the damage that brings, in order to keep adults safe due to the failings of adults?

I genuinely don't understand this process. It seems entirely irrational to me.

The kids can be carriers who bring it home to granny. If in a bubble of ten there is less risk than a class of thirty.
Or some such bollocks.

 

[Sweet FA]

The kids can be carriers who bring it home to granny. If in a bubble of ten there is less risk than a class of thirty.
Or some such bollocks.

This basically. And therefore we don't need PPE.

Then at the end of the day, after they've been in bubbles, children leave school, hug each other then go down the woods to muck about in close proximity with loads of other herberts from other local schools. Parents are supposed to pick up but obviously most can't.

 

[Badgers]

Then at the end of the day, after they've been in bubbles, children leave school, hug each other then go down the woods to muck about in close proximity with loads of other herberts from other local schools. Parents are supposed to pick up but obviously most can't.

There is gang of lads (10-15) who play footy in the park near me.
It has been a few weeks since they gave up distancing at all and started wrestling and such

Can't be cross with kids but they are potentially spreading far and wide.

 

[kebabking]

I think I'm becoming a hippy....

We got an email from #2's SENCO yesterday letting us know that she could go back if we wanted her to (EHCP for Autism), asking us if we needed any more support or whatever, and my first - and subsequent - reaction is that my kids have never been happier, healthier, more inquisitive about the world, or better behaved than when they've not been at school since March...

I've even looked at the local regs for home schooling.

I've really enjoyed it - except maths, because maths with #2 is like pouring 10lbs of live ferrets into a 5lb bag - but I've loved it. I'm even thinking about retiring to do it. mortgage is paid off....

(I appreciate that this is by no means the experience of every child and parent, and probably not even a sizable minority, but for me - and these particular kids - fuck school...)

 

[Thora]

I think I'm becoming a hippy....

We got an email from #2's SENCO yesterday letting us know that she could go back if we wanted her to (EHCP for Autism), asking us if we needed any more support or whatever, and my first - and subsequent - reaction is that my kids have never been happier, healthier, more inquisitive about the world, or better behaved than when they've not been at school since March...

I've even looked at the local regs for home schooling.

I've really enjoyed it - except maths, because maths with #2 is like pouring 10lbs of live ferrets into a 5lb bag - but I've loved it. I'm even thinking about retiring to do it. mortgage is paid off....

(I appreciate that this is by no means the experience of every child and parent, and probably not even a sizable minority, but for me - and these particular kids - fuck school...)

If you can afford to and enjoy it, then why not? There's essentially no regulation of home schooling.

 

[kebabking]

If you can afford to and enjoy it, then why not? There's essentially no regulation of home schooling.

I'm scared they'll turn into weirdos. They might be very happy weirdos while we're doing it, but I'm not convinced it will help them much when they go out into the big wide world.

I'd prefer it if the world was different, or if they wouldn't have to go out into it eventually - but one day we won't be around to look after them.