Query re return to work in education

[HamHammy]

Can I ask if there are any secondary teachers out there teaching in Scotland? Only asking for Scotland as we start back next week and I think rest of UK go back in September. (Correct me if I am wrong 🙈) Interesting in fellow colleagues in other parts of UK too. What do you intend to do re teaching with the 2 metre rule and all pupils returning full time? I am on benepali and methotrexate and get steroid injections. I am thinking of wearing a visor. What are your guys thoughts?

[Hidden]

I work in a primary school and have a son at secondary school. With all children returning distancing is impossible both schools have very small classrooms packed to capacity with no spare space around the school even school dinner hall is used as well as corridors as classrooms.both schools told teachers will not be wearing PPE only if isolated with a sick child . Am I happy no but have no choice my son has to go to school and I’m may not go back to work .

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

What happens if you provide your own PPE J1707? I used to invigilate in a local sixth form college and I know just how small the rooms are for the number of students in class and how packed the corridors get at changeover times.

There is no way I would want to be in that without PPE especially as (from what I’ve seen) older kids are the ones who tend to mingle in larger groups.

Hopefully your schools will set up one way systems etc. I agree with the need for children to return to schools / colleges but I can’t believe they expect adults not to wear PPE.

Hamhammy, I would definitely wear a visor at least.

Good luck with it all.

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

No PPE it’s not about supply it’s because the children are young ( reception) they don’t want us to wear masks etc not sure about secondary school

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

I see - I taught primary children for years and years and to be honest I’m sure most children would be able to cope with their teacher wearing a mask or visor without being traumatised - let’s face it people have been wearing face masks in stores and out on the streets for months so it isn’t as if children aren’t aware of what is happening - on the other hand I read the other day that there have been no infections transmitted from children to teachers.

I’m definitely not someone who is militant in any way but I really think it should be a personal choice for teachers to be allowed to provide their own PPE if they want to wear it, especially those who may have medical problems or whose immune system may be compromised.

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I agree with you but unfortunately there is no choice. It will be interesting if children continue not to transmit this when they are no longer in small bubble groups. Let us know how you get on when you return to work . Good luck

[wishbone in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Not a good situation to be in, do they expect teachers returning from shielding not to wear PPE as well?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to wishbone]

Exactly! I think it is very off to expect J1707 not to wear PPE if he/she wants to.

[HamHammy in reply to wishbone]

I believe so. I think no PPE for any teachers inc previous staff who were shielding

[HamHammy in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes Fruitandnutcase (love your name) I think I will. I dont think other teachers will unless vulnerable too so I will stand out which is a wee problem

[HamHammy in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

What's a pipe j1707 btw?

[HamHammy in reply to HamHammy]

Excuse above. I see it's a person lol

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to HamHammy]

Ah, typos, the story of my life 😱

[Green230461]

My husband teaches in a sec school he has been told he can wear a mask if he feels he needs one providing it is plain black or blue.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Green230461]

That’s how it should be - for those teaching younger children too although their teachers could wear fun masks - a bit like doctors and nurses in some children’s hospitals wear fun PPE on the wards.

It’s very wrong that people who have been shielding are being expected to go back into that sort of situation without PPE and I can imagine that they will be feeling very anxious about it.

I know they say that masks are worn to protect others but I can’t believe they don’t provide some sort of protection for the wearers - children are cute and fun but they (especially the younger ones) can also be snotty little bug spreaders although saying that the number of senior kids I came across who used to sniff their way through their A Level exams had to be seen to believed and even worse when they were given a tissue many of them had absolutely no idea of how to actually blow their noses - they used to fold the tissue and dab at their noses. Very odd really.

Anyway I’m sure you and your husband must be really pleased that he has the option of wearing a mask.

[wishbone in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I wasn't happy in the slightest when the government announced that all shielding people would have to return to work on August 1st as their statuory sick pay would be stopped from that date. Thankfully I'm retired, if I wasn't, and with my underlying health conditions, I would be very nervous about returning to work if it meant any contact or mingling with people. Not even with PPE, but that's just me!

I heard on the radio that according to Boris, there will be something said later on regarding shielding. That will be interesting...........................

Oops, just noticed it's Scotland only you asked about. I'm not sure what the situation regarding vunerable people returning to work is there, but it doesn't seem that different.

[HamHammy in reply to wishbone]

No it's not different I think

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to wishbone]

No, I wasn’t commenting about Scotland - just schools in general. I live in East Anglia.

[wishbone in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Ah right, I live in Wales where shielding is carrying on until at least August 16th. It will be interesting to see what happens after that. We usually follow the rest of the UK but if the virus starts to take off again then I would like to think the Welsh government will reconsider and at least give the choice to individuals whether or not they wish to continue with shielding.

[Dspooky01]

While it’s up to the school to say about masks, if your school doesn’t allow them I would ask for a copy of their risk assessment to ensure that they have taken your vulnerability into account. It’s too easy for some schools to say that they weren’t aware but if you’ve got it in writing then it will concentrate their minds! Get your union involved too (I was a health and safety rep and most organisations fall over backwards not to breach the law). Good luck.

[HamHammy in reply to Dspooky01]

Thank you