Schools

[Shabby Russian]

The problem appears to be a lack of capability, the government, teachers, health chiefs and local authorities are pointing to what is needed
but no one appears to be making things happen ..

Social distancing is a problem, but space is all around if you look for it, we hardly have to build and equipment the equivalent of nightingale
hospitals, just tables and chairs in church halls, community centres and many other local settings but it needs the will and planning to make
it happen. Some parents are reluctant, but who can blame them given how hopeless and leaderless the entire shambles of a process this
has been.  

All parties seem to have a reason why it cant happen, perhaps a change of mindset is needed. Thanks goodness ambulance crews, nurses
and doctors didn't wait for someone to turn up and show them how to adapt despite all the obstacles and dangers.

The space is not the issue, the number of available teachers is the problem.

I'll give the example of our local primary school. Current school numbers mean that the school can only afford 6 teachers over 7 year groups, and one of those teachers is shielding for health reasons. That is 5 available teachers, the school has 7 classrooms, and the use of a school hall if needed. 

You can free up as much space as you want, but if you are saying that maximum class sizes are 15 pupils at the moment, it doesn't matter, as there won't be enough teachers. Better to have accepted that and have all children back on rota system.

My niece, who is a year 6 pupil, is currently attending on a week on week off basis. It's far from ideal but it might be what we have to do, the other alternative is to dispense with social distancing.