Life on #Covid19 frontline
Spoken to dozens of teachers/headteachers in last 24 hours
Day by day, it's getting tougher in our schools system
Expecting an announcement soon- here's what's happening now
Spoken to dozens of teachers/headteachers in last 24 hours
Day by day, it's getting tougher in our schools system
Expecting an announcement soon- here's what's happening now
Schools are being forced to close by either staff shortages, or declining pupil numbers
Some are closing year groups and remaining partially open
Those remaining open (still the maj) are being forced to amalgamate classes and year groups, some with v big class sizes
Some are closing year groups and remaining partially open
Those remaining open (still the maj) are being forced to amalgamate classes and year groups, some with v big class sizes
Numerous heads have told me the same thing with regards to pupil attendance. That the start of the week numbers were at around 90% falling dramatically to between 65%-75% yesterday and today. Either through pupil illness or fear from parents: "it's a cumulative effect" said one
Other heads report profound concerns about school safety. One headteacher told me a neighbouring school had closed because a pupil had been identified with covid, closed after a deep clean and reopened on Monday. His school had v limited soap and sanitiser supplies.
Supply cover is becoming harder and harder to secure, one headteacher told me: "We're down to half of our teachers and several key members of support staff. Lack of agency cover a huge issue/supply teachers returning to home countries before flights end."
Headteachers are being forced to grapple with big decisions: "My staff are amazing and committed to being at work but I can't help feel I am responsible for choosing to stay open and putting them at risk. Heads need direction from central government."
This from another teacher: “At my school we have over 29 staff off. Teachers are all losing their free
periods to teach other subjects. Some teachers being asked to teach two classes at a time. It’s unsustainable.”
periods to teach other subjects. Some teachers being asked to teach two classes at a time. It’s unsustainable.”
At a school in north London. Attendance was 74% on Monday, 64% on Tuesday and 51% today.
But something to make it all seem a bit less scary- school pupils at the London school I’m at working on “coronavirus art” 
