Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[sonofsanta]

Looking bad your way!!!

 

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/kings-school-grantham-covid-coronavirus-4758590

 

 

Yup. 4 more today here.

 

Apparently, in chatting to the head, you're only allowed to close a year group if you can't identify the close contacts successfully. So if we did a crappier job of track and trace we'd be able to take the necessary and effective steps to stop this in its tracks, but instead--because PHE mistakently believe identifying close contacts is sufficient in a school environment, and we're doing the work with seatings plans etc.--we have to keep letting it rampage through our student population.

 

There will absolutely be people getting phoned that first weekend of the holidays being told they have to self-isolate over the whole break and can't go out and see anyone or do anything.

[Andrew_C]

There will absolutely be people getting phoned that first weekend of the holidays being told they have to self-isolate over the whole break and can't go out and see anyone or do anything.

Local 6th form shutting tomorrow to avoid just that.

[elsiegee40]

We have local schools closing the premises early for Christmas and teaching online until the end of term.

 

One in Maidstone has announced it will teach online for at least the first two days of next term while it assesses the traffic chaos caused by its position close to the M20 and Brexit.

[jmak]

We have local schools closing the premises early for Christmas and teaching online until the end of term.

 

One in Maidstone has announced it will teach online for at least the first two days of next term while it assesses the traffic chaos caused by its position close to the M20 and Brexit.

But...... is in charge and will be .......... And..... said

......... So........ reason for delays on the M20...... can't be due to...... Everything's under control and going as planned.

 

Sorry, rest of post was self redacted to make sure my post isn't political [emoji57]

[mikes]

We have been informed that we are allowed to take an inset day next Friday. What so before, we weren't allowed? Are inset days set by the LEA or the government? I thought schools could choose when they took inset days and could pick any day?

I saw the news on all the big news sites - "schools to close on the 18th". Then reading the actual article, it said schools may be allowed to pick the 18th of dec as an inset day" meaning there won't be any day off at all.

 

We have a few years isolating but I don't think we do random testing at all. We have over 10 staff off, might be 12 infact. I would like to work from home because I live with two relatives who are over 60, and my father has problems with his blood pressure / and gets attacks where he feels feint. But of course that won't happen because I am needed to plug in HDMI cables.

[Boredguy]

We have been informed that we are allowed to take an inset day next Friday. What so before, we weren't allowed? Are inset days set by the LEA or the government? I thought schools could choose when they took inset days and could pick any day?

I saw the news on all the big news sites - "schools to close on the 18th". Then reading the actual article, it said schools may be allowed to pick the 18th of dec as an inset day" meaning there won't be any day off at all.

 

We have a few years isolating but I don't think we do random testing at all. We have over 10 staff off, might be 12 infact. I would like to work from home because I live with two relatives who are over 60, and my father has problems with his blood pressure / and gets attacks where he feels feint. But of course that won't happen because I am needed to plug in HDMI cables.

 

Schools get 5 days a year.

They can use one from next academic year for the 18th if they choose to take it off (if not already doing so), which you can not normally do.

[mikeprice]

The Liverpool mass testing is moving out to the Liverpool City Region - starting Friday

 

the nearest to us is a 5 minute walk away - but it serves the whole area - and it is just a 'turn up and wait' system

 

$deity knows how well that'll work

 

 

and - I only know because I read the local paper

[Zammo]

We have been informed that we are allowed to take an inset day next Friday. What so before, we weren't allowed? Are inset days set by the LEA or the government? I thought schools could choose when they took inset days and could pick any day?

I saw the news on all the big news sites - "schools to close on the 18th". Then reading the actual article, it said schools may be allowed to pick the 18th of dec as an inset day" meaning there won't be any day off at all.

 

We have a few years isolating but I don't think we do random testing at all. We have over 10 staff off, might be 12 infact. I would like to work from home because I live with two relatives who are over 60, and my father has problems with his blood pressure / and gets attacks where he feels feint. But of course that won't happen because I am needed to plug in HDMI cables.

 

Im not 100% sure on this but I think it works like this:

 

- All state schools get 5 Inset days to use a year

- Schools have authority to decide the dates for Inset days, but are usually restricted to 5 in an an academic year. Academies can create more, but usually don't as it may impact teachers who are on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-teachers-pay-and-conditions

- The 18th has been allocated as an additional Inset this year to take the total to 6

- Normally schools would not be allowed to just "create" extra Inset days

- As usual, independent schools can do as they wish

Edited December 10, 2020 by Zammo

[elsiegee40]

- As usual, independent schools can do as they wish

 

To be fair, most independent schools break up at least a week before the state schools at Christmas anyway.

[mavhc]

So if schools are remaining open, can staff get the vaccine sooner than otherwise?

 

Daily deaths 5% higher this week than last week, last week's leveling out hasn't continued. UK still ahead of USA in deaths per capita. Deaths in UK are dropping slightly.

[Andrew_C]

As usual, independent schools can do as they wish

Not true - we have to do a minimum number of days / hours; same as any other school. How do you fancy working Saturday mornings?

[elsiegee40]

Not true - we have to do a minimum number of days / hours; same as any other school. How do you fancy working Saturday mornings?

 

I agree that you teach on Saturday mornings... and the school day is usually much longer too... so perception is wrong about independent schools.

 

However, there is no statutory number of days/hours that an independent school must teach.

Edited December 10, 2020 by elsiegee40

[Andrew_C]

However, there is no statutory number of days/hours that an independent school must teach.

Odd - someone on manglement said there was. Years ago though.

[Primus]

Odd - someone on manglement said there was. Years ago though.

 

elsiegee40 is right - hence why you see variations in term lengths between private schools.

[Zammo]

Not true - we have to do a minimum number of days / hours; same as any other school. How do you fancy working Saturday mornings?

 

I work plenty of Saturday mornings, evenings and all sorts of other times.

 

I was saying that independent schools can create as many inset days as they like. Which is correct.

[Zammo]

Odd - someone on manglement said there was. Years ago though.

 

They may have a set number of inset\twilight\meetings specified in the teacher's contracts.

 

My wife works at an independent school and it is in her T&Cs

 

To be fair, most independent schools break up at least a week before the state schools at Christmas anyway.

 

I am aware as my wife works at an independent school. I wasn't opening up a conversation on how many hours teachers\staff work, just commenting that Independent schools are free to set as many Inset days as they choose

Edited December 10, 2020 by Zammo

[elsiegee40]

Now that’s what I call a Corona Christmas

Edited December 10, 2020 by elsiegee40

[Ditto]

Now that’s what I call a Corona Christmas

 

I think that disk should be NOW II - - see http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/214232-coronavirus-general-discussion-see-opening-post-rules-181.html#post1876212

 

Ho Ho Ho!

[stevejp]

Odd - someone on manglement said there was. Years ago though.

 

Possibly the contract with the parents - in most independents (we’re one) the contract with the parents gives a specified number of teaching days.

[LeMarchand]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55269969

Chinese cabin crew encouraged to wear nappies. Guess that's one way to discourage pervy blokes from grabbing their bottoms.

[Rob_D]

It's probably not news for the rest of you, but... We've just heard in our staff briefing that schools will be expected to manage track and trace for staff and students up until Christmas eve. (which sounds pretty ridiculous as most of the support staff are TTO)

[Steve21]

It's probably not news for the rest of you, but... We've just heard in our staff briefing that schools will be expected to manage track and trace for staff and students up until Christmas eve. (which sounds pretty ridiculous as most of the support staff are TTO)

 

We have our school making all teachers prepare a folder of seating plans for the last week of lessons (As in a seperate one to normal just for this purpose), and then an single shared mailbox setup for parents to email with any positive tests that'll be remotely monitored by a number of SLT/Admin etc.

 

Was rather pleased with their thoughts on that one

 

Steve

[Primus]

It's probably not news for the rest of you, but... We've just heard in our staff briefing that schools will be expected to manage track and trace for staff and students up until Christmas eve. (which sounds pretty ridiculous as most of the support staff are TTO)

 

Yes that instruction to headteachers/SLT, many of whom have had no proper time off since February, was outrageous. I've always been quite militant so if I found myself in that position I'd be telling them to do one and let their £12 billion Track and Trace do the job they've been funded to the Nth for.

 

Sadly this "government" treats so many people like mugs.

[elsiegee40]

Son and his girlfriend have both tested positive for coronavirus.

 

“First 2 days weren't fun but I think I'm over the worst already. No temperature or cough, my lungs feel fine, just have a headache, sore throat and my body aches.”

 

They have to isolate until the 21st and have promised to be retested before they consider whether to travel home for Christmas

[jmak]

Son and his girlfriend have both tested positive for coronavirus.

 

“First 2 days weren't fun but I think I'm over the worst already. No temperature or cough, my lungs feel fine, just have a headache, sore throat and my body aches.”

 

They have to isolate until the 21st and have promised to be retested before they consider whether to travel home for Christmas

Hope they recover soon. I know you can find guidance just as easily as me, but if they don't have a temperature and are improving, they should be safe to be near you the sooner out of 10 days from when they showed symptoms or tested positive.

 

Fingers crossed for a family Christmas [emoji1696]