Topic: The Teachers' Thread

[UntouchableLuis]

Yeah it seems quite stupid if you’re still having 230 kids mixing and going home to the most needed staff this country has (apparently) and if they show any symptoms, and they will, they’ll need to isolate for 2 weeks.

Sounds like asking for trouble.

Lots of staff have raised this already. The problem is being a private school lots of our students have parents who are considered 'key workers' lots of doctors for example.

I also think part of it is the Head is worrying about parents trying to claim fees back and thus is trying to say look at us we are open for business as ever...

At the minute most of us are expecting to be in Monday to Friday and even some weekends to sit with groups of students while they work independently and we teach remotely for the students that are at home...not sure how this is all going to go.

[Roughie Scouse]

The holidays will 100% still be respected.

That went well....required over Easter...

 Some special schools where all kids EHCP will be functioning as normal too

[CraigDS]

That went well....required over Easter...

 Some special schools where all kids EHCP will be functioning as normal too

Yeah it turned out to be a load of shite. Surprised more hasn’t been made of it really.

[UntouchableLuis]

The government have overruled or will overrule any usual union guidelines I feel. We can be asked to do anything over these next few months.

[rob1966]

By the time this is over my kids are going to be begging to get back to school, cos this (temporary) teacher will stand them in the corner and smack them across the arse if they misbehave.

[TheKid.]

This has been one of the weirdest weeks I’ve ever had as a teacher.  Waving the kids off not knowing when we would see them all again

The music department performed an impromptu concert in the canteen at lunch too; brought a tear to my eye

We are expecting around 50 in over the next few weeks with a rota drawn up

Easter holidays is SLT all in and leadership pay scale people along with teacher volunteers who will be paid with amazon vouchers each day they do

[UntouchableLuis]

This has been one of the weirdest weeks I’ve ever had as a teacher.  Waving the kids off not knowing when we would see them all again

The music department performed an impromptu concert in the canteen at lunch too; brought a tear to my eye

We are expecting around 50 in over the next few weeks with a rota drawn up

Easter holidays is SLT all in and leadership pay scale people along with teacher volunteers who will be paid with amazon vouchers each day they do

Sounds like your school is organised!

We have no timetable or rota at all yet. All we know is to come in on Monday at 8:30.

[TheKid.]

We’ve been organised as fuck. Seem to be well ahead of lots of places. Being a middle leader now I’ve been working fairly closely with SLT so have seen just how much has gone into it

We are all in on Monday then onto the rota with a day each I’m apart from SLT who are again in all the time

[TepidT2O]

We’ve been organised as fuck. Seem to be well ahead of lots of places. Being a middle leader now I’ve been working fairly closely with SLT so have seen just how much has gone into it

We are all in on Monday then onto the rota with a day each I’m apart from SLT who are again in all the time

Hmm
I don’t think any of this is a good idea if I’m honest.

All of SLT shouldn’t be in each day.  It’s absurd.  There needs to be an idea that we can minimise risk to staff.  This is not it.

It should be an absolute skeleton staff, no unnecessary attendance at all. Especially not for 50 kids.

One member of support staff, two teachers, one member of SLT on call if they aren’t one of the two staff.

Your school may be organised, but they are taking unnecessary risks with the lives of their staff. 

[Crosby Nick]

By the time this is over my kids are going to be begging to get back to school, cos this (temporary) teacher will stand them in the corner and smack them across the arse if they misbehave.

What about when your missus misbehaves?

[TheKid.]

Hmm
I don’t think any of this is a good idea if I’m honest.

All of SLT shouldn’t be in each day.  It’s absurd.  There needs to be an idea that we can minimise risk to staff.  This is not it.

It should be an absolute skeleton staff, no unnecessary attendance at all. Especially not for 50 kids.

One member of support staff, two teachers, one member of SLT on call if they aren’t one of the two staff.

Your school may be organised, but they are taking unnecessary risks with the lives of their staff. 

This is the initial plan. It may well become that depending on needs. We have 8 teachers in at a time with 2 admin and 2 supports staff.

I’m not SLT suck up but I think they’ve got this as right as they can

[CraigDS]

This is the initial plan. It may well become that depending on needs. We have 8 teachers in at a time with 2 admin and 2 supports staff.

I’m not SLT suck up but I think they’ve got this as right as they can

12 staff for 50 kids? Seems a bit overkill.

[TepidT2O]

This is the initial plan. It may well become that depending on needs. We have 8 teachers in at a time with 2 admin and 2 supports staff.

I’m not SLT suck up but I think they’ve got this as right as they can

I’m going to be honest. They have it utterly wrong.

They have made no account of the safety of staff. 

12 staff for 50 kids? Seems a bit overkill.

Sadly I think kill might be the word.

[rob1966]

What about when your missus misbehaves?

Look on x hamster

[CraigDS]

Look on x hamster

Effe approves this post.

[John C]

My daughter has been fretting over her A Levels but kudos to LJMU for writing to her today, so quickly, to guarantee her a place. Massive relief for her after working so hard this year.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

70 kids expected at ours. Staff who aren't in vulnerable groups staffing on a rota, expected to be one day a week. I have asthma, so stuck at home. Looks like we'll have even more work than usual with the amount of written assignments the kids will be expected to produce.

[Crosby Nick]

First official case of a teacher having it at my wife’s school. He went home last Monday. School has been closed since end of day Wednesday. Wife is understandably worried. I’ve been at home since a week last Thursday but think we are all going to properly lie low now.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

First official case of a teacher having it at my wife’s school. He went home last Monday. School has been closed since end of day Wednesday. Wife is understandably worried. I’ve been at home since a week last Thursday but think we are all going to properly lie low now.

I know you won't want to share the name of the school, but as a matter of interest, which LEA is this in?

[Crosby Nick]

I know you won't want to share the name of the school, but as a matter of interest, which LEA is this in?

I’m down in London.

[UntouchableLuis]

70 kids expected at ours. Staff who aren't in vulnerable groups staffing on a rota, expected to be one day a week. I have asthma, so stuck at home. Looks like we'll have even more work than usual with the amount of written assignments the kids will be expected to produce.

So staff are in 1 day and at home 4 days?

We are going in for all 5 days in our school but as I  said there are over 200 students expected.

We have been sent no rota or timetable so find out Monday unless an email comes through over this weekend.

I am worried that working in close proximity to a lot of students who have NHS staff as parents and might get the virus means I will get it and then pass it on to others or my family.

[CraigDS]

I am worried that working in close proximity to a lot of students who have NHS staff as parents and might get the virus means I will get it and then pass it on to others or my family.

This is what's so ridiculous.

Not only is it putting you & your family at risk, but all it will take is one person to get it and come in and then you could potentially see a shit loads of those kids get it and force their NHS families to have to self isolate for 2 weeks.

[UntouchableLuis]

This is what's so ridiculous.

Not only is it putting you & your family at risk, but all it will take is one person to get it and come in and then you could potentially see a shit loads of those kids get it and force their NHS families to have to self isolate for 2 weeks.

I suppose schools have no choice though. The government closed them down but made it clear they had to remain open for children of key workers. So schools can't just turn kids away? There are some children who would literally have no one there with them for days on end although I would argue any student in high school could handle this. It would be tough but it's about showing resilience and growing up.

Primary school and lower is where the big issues lie.

[TepidT2O]

Schools should be doing checks when when kids enter.

They should be checking temperatures at the door at the very least and keeping kids apart from each other.

I suspect most won’t.

[Crosby Nick]

Schools should be doing checks when when kids enter.

They should be checking temperatures at the door at the very least and keeping kids apart from each other.

I suspect most won’t.

Very hard to keep kids apart though isn’t it, especially younger ones.

[TepidT2O]

Very hard to keep kids apart though isn’t it, especially younger ones.

True.

But they have more chance now.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

So staff are in 1 day and at home 4 days?

Yep. The kids are also being separated in school and will just be doing the exact same work the others are doing at home. They are being given one computer to use for the duration, and these will be at least 2m apart. The kids  will only be allowed to socialise outdoors, observing the same 2m limit. You have to make clear that there is no advantage to them being in school. As far as I'm concerned, unless they have special needs, no secondary school pupil should be in school as they are old enough to be left at home.

[TepidT2O]

Yep. The kids are also being separated in school and will just be doing the exact same work the others are doing at home. They are being given one computer to use for the duration, and these will be at least 2m apart. The kids  will only be allowed to socialise outdoors, observing the same 2m limit. You have to make clear that there is no advantage to them being in school. As far as I'm concerned, unless they have special needs, no secondary school pupil should be in school as they are old enough to be left at home.

Yep.

We’ve got kids in year 10 and 11 who parents want to come in.  It’s fucking bizarre.

[UntouchableLuis]

I'm getting increasingly worried seeing what's happening in Italy. I would love to just lock myself at home and work from there but not an option as our Head wants us in unless we have a valid reason for working from home. Fear doesn't count as one.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

I'm getting increasingly worried seeing what's happening in Italy. I would love to just lock myself at home and work from there but not an option as our Head wants us in unless we have a valid reason for working from home. Fear doesn't count as one.

Your head will hopefully realise you are massively overstaffed on Monday and come up with a better plan. Otherwise, it's time to speak to your union as that is ridiculous.

[TepidT2O]

I'm getting increasingly worried seeing what's happening in Italy. I would love to just lock myself at home and work from there but not an option as our Head wants us in unless we have a valid reason for working from home. Fear doesn't count as one.

What the fuck?

They want all staff in school?

Are they fucking insane?

[TepidT2O]

Your head will hopefully realise you are massively overstaffed on Monday and come up with a better plan. Otherwise, it's time to speak to your union as that is ridiculous.

Just refuse.

[CHOPPER]

More of a Chivas Regal man, meself.

[UntouchableLuis]

What the fuck?

They want all staff in school?

Are they fucking insane?

All staff who dont have health issues and/or caring for children from home.

[TepidT2O]

All staff who dont have health issues and/or caring for children from home.

Madness.

Seriously.  Make up a health issue.  Asthma, high blood pressure... whatever ... it’s hideously irresponsible

[Mutton Geoff]

We've got about 12.

Might do a day every couple of weeks.

Such an emotional day today.  Year 11 and 13 leaving so suddenly. Schools are at their heart communities.

And every pupils time comes to an end.  But the journey was not complete. 

My old form leaving school at the age of 18 unexpectedly early, and I was fine until the head of sixth form did the most moving speech. Not a dry eye in the house

This bit of Dumbledore broke me

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

Was the same in my old school yesterday and the year 11 students finished with a week of mocks to contend with. Felt for them as I have known this lot since year 7.

A few tears shed on the day.

[۩ Imperator ۩]

All staff who dont have health issues and/or caring for children from home.

Madness.

Seriously.  Make up a health issue.  Asthma, high blood pressure... whatever ... it’s hideously irresponsible

Or, as is likely to be the case, stress. Your headteacher is needlessly risking the heath of his/her staff. Thankfully I have a very understanding, human headteacher. I cannot imagine how stressed I'd feel right now if I had a head who was being a prick.

[Oscarmac]

Tell that fuckwit of a head teacher to fuck off.

That is all.

[TepidT2O]

Or, as is likely to be the case, stress. Your headteacher is needlessly risking the heath of his/her staff. Thankfully I have a very understanding, human headteacher. I cannot imagine how stressed I'd feel right now if I had a head who was being a prick.

And I guess to be fair, the head isn’t immune from stress either.

But now isn’t the time to be concerned if staff are shirking work. It’s the time to lock down and keep safe. Bonkers.

[Crosby Nick]

And I guess to be fair, the head isn’t immune from stress either.

But now isn’t the time to be concerned if staff are shirking work. It’s the time to lock down and keep safe. Bonkers.

While I agree with you, and agree that no one should be directed to work, what happens to those children of NHS staff etc that they’ve said can still go to school? While thing is a mess.

More of my wife’s colleagues think they have symptoms now.