Re-opening of Primary Schools (Long thread): Of course, we want our schools to be open. We understand that this closure is far from ideal although - naturally - we encourage our communities to make the best they can out of this period. Many children will be 'fine' because

parents are in a position to help them, they are very interested in their education, they are emotionally resilient and family life is stable and safe. Having said that, children miss their friends, the routine of school and you can't underestimate the importance of a skilled &

caring teacher, learning through play & working collaboratively with peers. You also can't assume anything. Pupils from families you think are doing OK may not be. These are exceptional times. One of our bigger worries though is that, for every day that school is closed, there

are children who will become increasingly educationally worse off: children with special needs, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Traveller/Roma families, pupils where English is an additional language at home. A school must continually play its part in social mobility and

a closing of the educational gap. The ongoing closure is scuppering vital time spent on trying to level up opportunity. And then there are children where those few hours in school are the safest and most secure part of their day. This disease won't have stopped the abuses

children have to witness and/or endure. It is likely, if anything, to have exacerbated them. In summary, there are no real winners in this, although clearly some will come out the other end 'better off' than others. There's an argument that the government should have acted

faster on the possible re-opening of schools in June. At least in some guise. However, the hard truth is that Primary education is not a government priority (see recent budgets) and it doesn't appear to be a societal one either. Yes, we value primary education and play lip

service to its quality but, as a people, we don't fight for it to be the very best it can be. The chickens are now, once again, coming home to roost. Part of the reason (public health concerns aside) that we're not re-opening in a more timely manner is

because there isn't the political will or capacity to confront the challenges of doing so in a chronically underfunded system. Austerity has paid its part here and will again into the future. It always hurts the vulnerable the hardest. There are some encouraging signs that our

younger children may not be overly susceptible to this horrible virus, but many are suffering significantly from the hidden, indirect consequences. There isn't a one size fits all solution to this quandary but we need quick and decisive leadership & guidance from our masters

so that we can get back into the classrooms where we can continue to strive for equity for all. The effort and commitment of colleagues and families to ensure 'continuity of learning' is a privilege to witness, but it will never substitute being there. Ever. #edchatie