A new strain of COVID-19 has resulted in a surge of cases and the R level increasing at an alarming rate. Hospitals across Kent, London and Essex have declared major incidencies, as they are unable to cope with the current level of demand. The new strain appears to be spread more easily by children than previous strains. This has resulted in the government taking the decision to stagger the return of secondary schools and keep many primary schools in Tier 4 areas closed & they will not re-open after the Christmas holidays. This will be reviewed on January 18th. However, legislation for SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) settings has been ambiguous throughout this crisis, and the majority of SEND schools will be reopening their doors to pupils from Monday, where all staff (aside from the CEV in the highest tier areas) will be expected to return. The current guidance from the Department of Health and Social care advises priority vaccinations to be given to "frontline health and social care workers at high risk of acquiring infection, at high risk of developing serious disease, or at high risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff". Staff working with pupils in special needs schools also meet the above criteria. They work in environments where it is impossible to maintain social distancing, the use of masks may be very difficult and they are expected to carry out personal care. It will also be very difficult to carry out the mass testing of pupils in these settings, which the government have said is vital as a long term aim to stop the spread of this awful disease. Tragically a recent report from Public Health England, found that people with learning disabilities were 6 times more likely to die from COVID-19, during the first wave of the pandemic. If staff working in these settings were to be vaccinated as a priority, it would mean that not only were they protected, but it would also protect the vulnerable children in their care.

I think everybody should be taught about these things. It is very very important and will most likely make it easier to understand one another. Also, there is a high chance that the bullies of the school would learn about why everyone is valid, and hopefully stop bullying.

Teachers and support staff in schools are vital to the continued education of our children but they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they have to work face to face with students. Vaccination will not only help protect teachers from the virus, it will allow them to teach in person, and ultimately keep schools open to the benefit of the children, their parents and wider society. Unlike for other professions, including GPs, careworkers, hairdressers and shop workers who are required to wear masks or be behind protective screens, the government is not recommending face coverings are necessary in education settings (except in corridors and communal areas) Many colleagues have already been infected with the virus affecting their health AND leaving already overstretched staff to cover whole classes or send classes home. Safeguarding the future of the next generation should start with those who are delivering their education. Please don't scapegoat teachers any more than has already happened and consider vaccinating teachers and other education and childcare workers who have been on the frontline of COVID from the very start.

We are requesting a 30% reduction on our annual rent in all halls at the University of Reading, commencing in January. Living in halls facilitates access to the university resources & associated activities, however, unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic almost all aspects of university life have been curtailed to some extent. Despite the reduction in services, access to resources and other activities students are still paying fully for relocation and the cost of halls. The university told students that they would receive 'blended learning' whereby the teaching and content are accessible both online and in person. Many students feel that this 'blended learning' is not truly 'blended' as the majority of many courses remain exclusively online. As most of the teaching is online, it seems pointless to have moved to the university when we could have stayed home and received the same remote teaching as we do whilst unnecessarily living in halls. This is not the university's fault, we are in the midst of an unpredictable global pandemic, however it is the university's responsibility to listen and respond to their students' grievances. A reduction on rent means that the university recognises that living in halls in not benefiting our studies, in the same way we would under normal circumstances. We would like for all students participating in this rent strike to be free from disciplinary action, on the grounds that this strike is peaceful, we simply want to see change and want to work alongside the university to make this possible. Allyship is key, so we are not fighting the university, we are asking to discuss rent and make changes where necessary. Additionally, we would like to discuss changes in regard to the terms of the tenancy agreements. Students studying remotely, away from university, should not have to pay rent for a place they are not living in. Many students returned home for the second lockdown and practiced online learning, yet they were required to pay rent for a place they are not currently living in. Please sign this petition if you plan on striking in January, it is important that as many students as possible sign this because the more students involved, the more likely the university is to negotiate changes with us. Thank you all and let us make change happen together!!

We have gone into Tier 4 in the South East and many parts of the country due to a new strain of covid which is a far more virulent strain. We have seen an exponential rise covid cases and have been told to stay at home, do not travel, do not go out except for emergencies. Except for our children. They are not being protected or safeguarded against this awful virus. We will see far more infection cases and far more unnecessary deaths if schools remain open. We must safeguard our children which in turn will safeguard our elderly and our overly stretched NHS. Greenwich Council, quite rightly,closed schools to safeguard their pupils. Gavin Williamson, knowing that the young were the most susceptible age group to the new strain of covid, threatened the council with legal action if they weren't re-opened. This resulted in a huge rise of 10 to 19 year old children being infected in the South East, mainly London, which in turn has led to an exponential rise in hospital admissions and, yet more unnecessary deaths. Oh and, on a side note, Christmas being cancelled! Australia and New Zealand have eradicated this virus with a lockdown that included all schools closing. Education continue remotely. We could do the same, eradicate the virus whilst still educating our children remotely. Every school in England has the facilities and capability of teaching children remotely, the curriculum can still be followed but at the same time, we could finally ensure we protect our community, our elderly and our NHS. Children MUST be safeguarded, they are being terribly let down. Please safeguard our children, close the schools, let them learn safely, let them learn remotely.

The Eat For Free scheme provides a free hot meal during school term time. It brings both educational and health benefits and this has been validated by a study from the University of Essex. A family with two children save around £700 per year using the scheme. Newham has high rates of poverty and deprivation. We have suffered disproportionately during Covid and many of our families have lost their jobs. How can a Labour Council take food from the mouths of its children?

It's important because it affects us all. If not directly then through the people we know and meet along the road to adulthood. As a society we should know how to handle it within ourselves and the people around us. To prevent the worst, to help us understand each other, and to create a society where there is no such thing as mental health "issues"

On 9th December 2020 The Sun newspaper published a Comment piece by Rod Liddle entitled "Covid has made heroes of many of our frontline workers… but not teachers". We, the undersigned, petition The Sun to remove this inflammatory "article" which neither accurately describes how teachers have behaved during the Global Pandemic, nor reflect how parents feel about the education their children have received since March 2020. We also call on The Sun to allow for an opposing Comment piece to be written giving all the grateful parents a chance to show the readership how educating their children in 2020 would not have happened without the support of hard working teachers. 2020 was not an ideal year for anyone - berating an entire profession for doing their best is unacceptable. Teachers are real heroes, and they don't get to hear it enough.

This is important because the Education System is old and outdated. It teaches you useless things, like algebra, that you should learn in college or university. There is no job based learning and basic life skills.

Education Is Very Important.Free University Education Will Enable Many To Choose Their Desired Field Of Studies With Much More Better Grafes,Which Will Also Make Them More Effective In Their Desired Career Path,Make Better Choices All Through,Better Work Attitude & Focused Energy Making The Companies Better & Productive Hence Boosting The Economy Of The Country Too.

The community of Hetton deserves the only outstanding nursery in the area to remain open for the children who attend now and for future generations.

Bristol with its dominant link to slavery should have its own museum. The current debate around Edward Colston about whether the city is trying to hide its history or not highlights the importance for more education regarding Bristol’s past. We mainly hear about the statistics of the slave trade in Bristol and the economic wealth it brought to the city. However, not nearly enough is said or known about the people involved at the time as well as the huge legacy and suffering that is inherited down family lines. There is a prime spot for this museum by the Bascule bridge which would attract both tourists and local people. It is paramount that we learn more so that we can also campaign for the abolition of modern slavery. There are 40.3 million slaves in the world today (Walk Free Foundation global slavery index, estimates vary). The museum should present the evidence in the framework of international human rights universally upheld following the devastation of the Second World War. Every child should be taught about human rights. No one chooses where they are born. Statues on plinths may come and go but it is far more important to address the pain and suffering that massively contributed to the city’s wealth and history. This is a good time to start the project that could have been achieved many years ago.