It’s crazy isn’t it! But I kind of don’t blame the parents - the advice has been so vague

up to now and the list was so broad that I can see why they might think it applied to them. I’m also not sure that people have bought into the idea that there is a reason schools are closed and that is to stop the spread of the virus – it’s not just the start of the long Easter holiday so let’s get a bit of extra childcare. Again, I don’t really blame them as it’s all so surreal. Hopefully now the message is getting through though.

I would say most jobs are important (it’s only OFSTED inspectors I think the world could do without) but I’m not sure that message was ever clear enough that it is jobs that are CRITICAL to helping coronavirus that are key. As a teacher I feel so conflicted by this. Every bit of me thinks I should be teaching a class. It’s wrong for me to be at home (although we have set up extensive home teaching!). My mum was at school during the war time and told stories of her teacher teaching them in an air raid shelter during bombing raids. I want to be that teacher! I want to step up and do my bit for the country! But this isn’t that kind of war. We need people to stay home to save lives.

There was a news item on Look East the other day where they interviewed somebody from Bernard Matthews. He was very excited about how well his company was doing during the crisis and pleased to be able to employ new people. He finished by saying he was glad the government recognised the importance of working at Bernard Matthews and would be able to supply the child care for his workers.

I sighed. That shouldn’t be the message. His firm will make a lot of profit over the coming months. They should be responsible for finding a way to support their workers so that they can fit their job around the new school closure situation so that we are all safer.

Good luck to parents tomorrow. We will be there to support you. Don’t get stressed about any work that’s been set - it’ll settle down I’m sure.

Give me a shout any parents of primary aged kids if you need any pointers regarding fronted adverbials, the present perfect tense, column addition, late Neolithic hunter gatherers...I’d be more than happy to help. I can also do some good tutting and cross looks if needed x

PS I’m also happy to do break duty on Mondays

Posted By: Bravo win or die, Mar 22, 23:19:16