School staff who have been shielding

[Hybrid9]

Hi there - are there any teachers/school staff on here who have been shielding and are happy to share their feelings/thoughts about going back to school in Sept?

[Hidden]

I’ve been shielding and work in reception class. Honestly I’m not comfortable going back. I know children don’t suffer Covid badly but they are still carriers and as we know their hygiene is questionable at the best of times. Distancing will be impossible and close contact is required and now all school children will return at the same time ( no bubbles) we will not be using no PPE unless a child shows symptoms and they are isolated with a member of staff until sent home . Double the work cleaning the class and equipment marking books . Im not feeling safe .

[Ms-D]

Hi. I work in a primary school and have been shielding since march. Im nervous going back as i work in yr one who dont really have a concept of covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing. But its life i cant be in a bubble forever however my biologics are not working and consultant told me to have a sterpid injection in few weeks and wait to see. I hope this helps a little but you are not alone x

[Prunes]

I'm due to return in September as a science technician and have been shielding since March. I really don't know what to do.

I'm very concerned about returning but equally know that currently the risk is low but that could all change come September. Fortunately the school are being very accommodating and have said to wait until September before deciding whether to return or not.

[Bizzita]

I teach Secondary 11-18, all boys. I’ve been shielding since March - we taught a full timetable remotely throughout lockdown which was hard work, but got easier in the end.

The plan is to be back full time from September and I’m terrified. I have asked for a personalised risk assessment and will be contacting my union for their advice too.

My main concern is that we will not have our own classrooms. In Secondary, the bubbles will be Year groups and I teach all year groups. We will be required to go to them which not means walking all over school. This worries me from a mobility/ RA point of view and from a Covid point of view because surely by walking all over, mixing year groups, using other teachers computers etc the risk is much greater for staff.

I really don’t know what is best. We have the software and ability to teach remotely, so I wish we were given that option.

[Biofreak]

My daughters both work in a youth centre running sessions for lots of children from the town. It reopened in July to run the holiday sessions but the numbers allowed in at each session has been vastly reduced and can only attend by invitation to make sure attendance is fair and controlled. All staff wear visors and social distance ( difficult with kids) but the children don't have to wear masks unless they want to. Hand sanitizer at the entrance is compulsory. Hand sanitizer between sessions and before they leave. Session rooms cleaned between sessions. It's all very arduous and stressful they say.

[Njd73]

Hello all. I was wondering if anyone had any updates on this topic, now that term has started in many places in England and Wales. I'm not a teacher but have a child due to restart 2ndary school next week with class sizes of 30-odd. Very anxious as I was shielding.