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Schools to remain closed in England until at least March 8th
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55828952
Breaking news from Boris Johnson that schools will not be able to go back after half term as hoped, but will not look at beginning to start in-person teaching again for all students until March 8th.
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
EDIT: from BBC article
'Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he hoped other lockdown restrictions could begin to be gradually eased at some point after schools reopen, but pupils returning to class would be the "first sign of normality".
In the week of 22 February, the government would have more information on whether vaccines block transmission and how the vaccine will reduce hospitalisations and deaths, he said, allowing them to plan for the "gradual and phased" reopening.'
What do you think of the news? Were you expecting it?
What, if any, challenges are you facing at the moment with online learning?
Let us know your thoughts!
Breaking news from Boris Johnson that schools will not be able to go back after half term as hoped, but will not look at beginning to start in-person teaching again for all students until March 8th.
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
EDIT: from BBC article
'Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he hoped other lockdown restrictions could begin to be gradually eased at some point after schools reopen, but pupils returning to class would be the "first sign of normality".
In the week of 22 February, the government would have more information on whether vaccines block transmission and how the vaccine will reduce hospitalisations and deaths, he said, allowing them to plan for the "gradual and phased" reopening.'
What do you think of the news? Were you expecting it?
What, if any, challenges are you facing at the moment with online learning?
Let us know your thoughts!
Last edited by StrawberryDreams; 4 weeks ago
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#2
Didn't he say they'd be open after half term? Think him and his cabinet need to learn to keep it shut until they have anything concrete to say.
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#3
in my opinion i was expecting to go back a bit later than February
Last edited by username5457326; 4 weeks ago
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#5
I was expecting something like this. I thought it would open later though.
Edit: At least 8th March. In other words, they just chose a random date to indirectly tell everyone to shut up now. They don’t have a plan, we are doomed.
Edit: At least 8th March. In other words, they just chose a random date to indirectly tell everyone to shut up now. They don’t have a plan, we are doomed.
Last edited by 5hyl33n; 4 weeks ago
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#6
I know it’s for the best but (selfishly) I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed even though it’s only been pushed back 2 weeks 
Last edited by laurawatt; 4 weeks ago
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#7
(Original post by StrawberryDreams)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55828952
Breaking news from Boris Johnson that schools will not be able to go back after half term as hoped, but will not look at beginning to start in-person teaching again for all students until March 8th.
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
EDIT: from BBC article
'Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he hoped other lockdown restrictions could begin to be gradually eased at some point after schools reopen, but pupils returning to class would be the "first sign of normality".
In the week of 22 February, the government would have more information on whether vaccines block transmission and how the vaccine will reduce hospitalisations and deaths, he said, allowing them to plan for the "gradual and phased" reopening.'
What do you think of the news? Were you expecting it?
What, if any, challenges are you facing at the moment with online learning?
Let us know your thoughts!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55828952
Breaking news from Boris Johnson that schools will not be able to go back after half term as hoped, but will not look at beginning to start in-person teaching again for all students until March 8th.
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
EDIT: from BBC article
'Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he hoped other lockdown restrictions could begin to be gradually eased at some point after schools reopen, but pupils returning to class would be the "first sign of normality".
In the week of 22 February, the government would have more information on whether vaccines block transmission and how the vaccine will reduce hospitalisations and deaths, he said, allowing them to plan for the "gradual and phased" reopening.'
What do you think of the news? Were you expecting it?
What, if any, challenges are you facing at the moment with online learning?
Let us know your thoughts!
I don't understand why he seems so focused on getting schools back first when it's schools that seem to be causing so much of a spread. I've heard maybe it's to free up the parents so that they can get back to work, but it just seems dangerous. I almost wish we could just write this year off.
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#8
Obviously online learning isn't the best, but I do appreciate them being realistic and updating their timescales with a bit of warning - this is the most "organised" they've been about schools so far, and it does make me feel safer that they aren't rushing it.
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#9
I will always want students to get the best of face-face teaching as online learning is difficult for many. However, if they can vaccinate more teachers in this period of time, I can see the point.
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#11
I completely understand their reason for doing so, but to be honest, why March? I think putting the reopening date as March 8th is a bit risky, and I do forsee it being pushed further, again.
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#12
Of course it's the wrong decision. Futures over futiles.
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
Last edited by linedpaper; 4 weeks ago
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#13
(Original post by linedpaper)
Of course it's the wrong decision. Futures over futiles.
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
Of course it's the wrong decision. Futures over futiles.
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
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#14
I was surprised as I expected him to say schools weren't going back until after Easter.
As someone who works in a school I'm now a bit worried about going back as in pop up school we only have 10 pupils or so in a class so this is a whole new ballgame.
I agree with Labour that teachers and other school staff should receive their first vaccination over the February half term if they are expected to mix with groups of 30 just 3 weeks later. But then I would say that, I'm sure other groups would say they should be protected first
As someone who works in a school I'm now a bit worried about going back as in pop up school we only have 10 pupils or so in a class so this is a whole new ballgame.
I agree with Labour that teachers and other school staff should receive their first vaccination over the February half term if they are expected to mix with groups of 30 just 3 weeks later. But then I would say that, I'm sure other groups would say they should be protected first
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#15
(Original post by linedpaper)
Of course it's the wrong decision. Futures over futiles.
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
Of course it's the wrong decision. Futures over futiles.
Teachers aren't more likely to get covid, they don't need vaccines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55795608
Most cases are either in hospitals, care homes or spread in family units.
My school, in a tier 3/4 area before lockdown had no sixth form cases and 1 lower school case.
It isn't fair to schools that had very few cases. I think really they should be in on a case by case basis.
We belong in the classroom
That is disgusting. Would you feel the same if it was one of your loved ones dying?
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#16
(Original post by StrawberryDreams)
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
He acknowledged that this would be 'frustrating' for pupils, parents and teachers.
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#17
When he said mid Feb originally I was always expecting it to be easter if not later. imo its better to wait until after easter when even more people would've been vaccinated and then reopen for the summer term rather than going back for a few weeks before shutting for the easter break and reopening again, some consistency helps keep routine.
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#18
Watch there be another u-turn again.
They only gave a date because parents were giving pressure and wanted a ‘route out’. One of the news articles said ‘by at least March 8th’ that’s just like saying beginning of March. And what’s the point? Once students go back they’ll only have 3 weeks of school then a big fat Easter holiday that takes up most of April, so everyone will technically return in may.
They only gave a date because parents were giving pressure and wanted a ‘route out’. One of the news articles said ‘by at least March 8th’ that’s just like saying beginning of March. And what’s the point? Once students go back they’ll only have 3 weeks of school then a big fat Easter holiday that takes up most of April, so everyone will technically return in may.
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#19
A couple of points I think being missed here: if that date is stuck to, it's not going to be for everyone. Vaccinating teachers doesn't really help the issue because it's still a huge mixing of households with students. And, even if students themselves aren't getting infected (or people are vaccinated) it doesn't stop you from still passing it on to home.
So, until community transmission is significantly reduced - which could take months at current rates because they won't shut things down hard - then it's just going to be a bad idea on the public health front.
But the reality is we shouldn't have ever been in this situation in the first place. Half of the pandemic deaths have taken place since mid November and it's a younger demographic on the wards than before... We have only government to blame.
So, until community transmission is significantly reduced - which could take months at current rates because they won't shut things down hard - then it's just going to be a bad idea on the public health front.
But the reality is we shouldn't have ever been in this situation in the first place. Half of the pandemic deaths have taken place since mid November and it's a younger demographic on the wards than before... We have only government to blame.
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#20
At this point I'm just questioning whether I should even go to Uni and do a placement year.
If the course I want to do is going to be taught online, then why bother? I think I might consider doing an apprenticeship (unless everything changes and covid goes away).
If the course I want to do is going to be taught online, then why bother? I think I might consider doing an apprenticeship (unless everything changes and covid goes away).
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