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Sorry This is a long rant
Why we are where we are.
Government have failed to plan the reopening of schools properly, they have used children with additional needs as pawns. For schools to open needs a proper workable plan. The 'plan' emailed to schools on Friday night won't work
Why we are where we are.
Government have failed to plan the reopening of schools properly, they have used children with additional needs as pawns. For schools to open needs a proper workable plan. The 'plan' emailed to schools on Friday night won't work
2.for loads of schools & children, will leave some children who are currently engaging really well without support, & will very much 'other' certain pupils who have always been fully integrated by telling them they now have to attend school as part of a 'Special Education bubble'
3. while their peers who they normally sit beside socialise with and learn with are learning from home... There are a myriad of flaws with it.
Why haven't principals been asked to look at that plan, see what aspects work in their particular curcumstances and give feedback?
Why haven't principals been asked to look at that plan, see what aspects work in their particular curcumstances and give feedback?
4. Why indeed wasn't this done months ago, but even at this stage it would only take a day or two and a workable plan could be finalised - if those expected to implement it were given a chance to have input.
5. On top of that, 'Public Health Advice' that just keeps repeating the Schools Are Safe mantra treats workers - teachers, SNAs and ancillary staff - with contempt. Holding a webinar yesterday supposedly aimed at reassuring people and presenting 5th January figures as the most
6. up to date while showing slides about last term does not give any confidence. Especially so when teachers and SNAs will be working with pupils many of whom are not able to social distance.
7. Yes schools need to open but let's stop with the generalisations that children with additional needs can't access Remote Learning, many can.
Let's stop with generalisations that all parents of children with Additional Needs want their children to return to school at this time.
Let's stop with generalisations that all parents of children with Additional Needs want their children to return to school at this time.
8. Many children have complex medical needs and their parents do not want to take the risk of sending them into school in the current climate. They should have that choice..
Simply it's about having a workable plan and having trust in the Public Health situation.
Simply it's about having a workable plan and having trust in the Public Health situation.
9. We need to talk about what 'safe' means rather than just repeating Schools are Safe. We need trust in the testing and tracing system, many schools had very bad experiences last term where only small numbers of children were sent home if there was an outbreak in a class,
10. where teachers were not considered close contacts if they had been wearing a mask, where it seemed as if everything possible was being done to prove an outbreak happened in the community rather than the school to fit the Schools Are Safe mantra.
11. It has been a hugely stressful time for school communities, having struggled through last term with some of the biggest classes in Europe and not a chance of proper social distancing. We have the new variant, the 20 - 50 age group are most vulnerable,trust has broken down...
12. Down through the years it has been teachers and SNAs and their unions who have stood shoulder to shoulder with parents' groups and advocacy groups to fight for and demand educational supports for children with additional needs....
13. The government, whether it is deliberately or through incompetence, have divided and conquered by failing to plan and having the finger of blame pointed at teachers. It is very depressing.
