Online voices
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More than 150,000 teachers and support staff have backed the National Education Union’s campaign to close schools and colleges as part of England’s lockdown. Do you think they should shut for four weeks?
Sarah Bradley: I think people need to take into consideration the mental health of all our young people and the effects that closing the schools down would impact them. We are already seeing a national crisis in relation to the number of referrals through adult services that this pandemic is causing what we then do not need is for this to spill over to our young people. Further concern would be for those children whose parents continue to work and physically do not have the time or opportunity to continue with home schooling. This would leave those children at a significant disadvantage. Primary years are the building blocks to a child's future, they should not have that deprived from them!!
Kelly A Burgess: Yes if children are going to be held back a year, so many people have lost jobs government could offer free training and train extra early years and nursery staff put portercabins in schools to provide extra space for early years and maybe even make classes smaller. The governmemt need to put money into help support all children.
Faye Marshall: Absolutely not!! As a teacher, I have worked with my class for 8 weeks since September, trying to help them through the time they’ve missed both academically and pastorally. Closing schools would be a catastrophe. Technology is good, I agree, but nothing beats being in the room.
Elaine Taylor: Personally think colleges and universities should. With the technology now, older children and adults are able to continue their learning on a decent level. In my view they are at a larger risk factor, not so much in the classroom but congregating on the grounds outside of the buildings and beyond. I see far to many groups without masks and not social distancing. Its one thing having classroom bubbles but if any aren't following guidelines outside of this, then all will be at risk.
Angie Wilkinson:
I'm divided. Yes, with technology like zoom, they can be taught online. As long as parents encourage it. And no. My son is in his final year & VERY stressed about how much school they've missed. He's currently doing his mocks with topics they haven't learnt yet!