Greenwich Council told 'keep schools open'
 

The government has told a London council
it must keep schools open or face legal action.

Greenwich Council had written to head teachers
asking all schools to move classes online
from Tuesday amid rising Covid-19 cases.
On Monday evening, Education Secretary
Gavin Williamson ordered the south-east
London council to keep schools open.

He said: "Using legal powers is a last resort but
continuity of education is a national priority."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55311573



Do Not Mess with Gavin.

Disgraceful, it should be up to individual councils

what evidence is available that shows children infect the vulnerable as id imagine that is the key issue?

there is plenty evidence that schools have been the catalyst for rising infection across the country, but as usual, those living in an alternative reality refuse to acknowledge it

The evidence is that 11 to 19 year olds are spreading it, not surprised they are all clumped together walking home from school and on buses

less spread in primary as they are picked up

Yes but Edu. Sec. Gavin
does not care


https://schoolsweek.co.uk/wp-content...liamson-PA.jpg

3 Labour councils face legal action from government over closures


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-capital.html

can you link to it?

While children can transmit the virus to each other and to older age groups, there is strong evidence that, with basic safety measures in place, the net benefits of keeping schools open outweigh the costs of closing them, the report notes. Schools are not a main driver of community transmission, and children are more likely to get the virus outside of school settings.

https://www.unicef.org/press-release...eversible-harm

They'll be breaking off for Christmas holidays next week anyway.

The kids have had more holidays than Judith Chalmers this year.

No he doesn't, you're right.

Doesn't care about much of anything important in my view.

Really severe in his thinking, just about the last thing needed in education at present.

He is scared
loads of other Schools
in Labour Zones
could do the same.

Well maybe they should.

After all we are ONLY a few days off schools closing anyway for Christmas.

Seems petty to be challenging local government on this so near to that.
Uncompromising and arrogant really.

The evidence is that children are in fact living and breathing creatures just like adults.

..quite.

Especially when you get to college age..it does seem primary age kids don't spread as much (not saying not at all), but the older kids do, and I don't see why anyone would think they don't..

Seems a bit nonsensical to say 16/17 year olds do not spread it but once you hit 18 you can spread it..

I totally refuse to believe that schools are not the dirving force at the min either. Just..the government and such need to keep it looking that way, else there will be calls for school closures again. So there is a fair amount of obvious fudging going on.

The school thing has been ridiculous from the start really. 3 parents in my kids' school have been told they are getting a fine, as they kept their kids off as they felt it was not safe (one has very bad asthma) for a couple of extra weeks when schools went back..stepdaughters school (seniors) has actively banned wearing masks. I don't think they should force them onto kids mind, not for 6 hours straight. But if a child WANTS to wear one, that should be their choice!

Stepdaughters school also, stalked us for a whole week because she was ill with stomach ache (fairly sure it was just a bug, but apparently bad stomach in kids shows up a lot with covid), basically trying to bully us into taking her in when she is ill, when you would think they would prefer parents being overly cautious, as it keeps others safer. We were contacted twice per day, about her being off, which is just bloody pathetic really.. They have also now decided that the whole class does not have to qurantine with a positive case, only those sitting either side of positive child?! Which is bonkers really..I am quite sure they are under massive pressure to keep attendance up, which really should not be happening in normal times, never mind during a bloody pandemic! Seems a bit stupid that things that could help reduce the spread are being turned down tbh.

I'm wondering if it isn't due to the fact most schools are now not under local education authority control but academies?
Essentially you have business controlling when schools operate.

For me this action is an example of the govt bending to the will of business even if it is not in the best interests of the public.

Just like with work, if you can learn from home, you should be able to. Keep the schools open only for those who can't.

yes in my country, exceptions are made for children from people with essential jobs (such as frontline workers)

Yup, baffled as to why this hasn't happened, and instead parents are being bullied into taking kids in. Surely the more who can manage at home, the better it is for everyone. But no..lets do it the backwards way, as usual.

that isnt evidence its just a sentence that means very little in the context of the debate

Yeah, it's dumb. If a kid doesn't have access to the internet or their parents can't look after them during the day because they have to go to work or something among those lines then, yeah, send the kids to school, otherwise there's no reason to send them in.

We would send James in even if they were allowed to be off. He struggled hugely with the closures as he is such a social kid.

There are a fair few parents I know who are still terrified of this, but cannot afford the fines, its vile, And totally nonsensical. Even if 20% of parents decided to keep theirs off, in a class of 40 thats reducing numbers by 8 per classroom, which has the potential to make a LOT of difference.

I don't agree with flat out closing schools and using them for just keyworkers mind. BUT I do think parents should have the option, instead of worrying themselves daft as they/they child is clinically vulnerable to it. They do kind of have an option to homeschool, but apparently, you lose your school place if you do this..and if they planned on it only til the end of the pandemic, they would be screwed :S