September

[Lemons1571]

I’m trying not to panic as I know I’m getting way ahead of myself. But what if all the kids are still not really back at school? I read on another thread that OFSTED are working on that basis, and are planning for inspections based on remote learning. I’ve got a (current) year 10, 7 and 4 - could it be January or maybe even next Easter before they’re full time again? Goodness knows what will happen with next years GCSEs. Is anyone else concerned that September is not going to be the golden egg that everyone seems to assume it will be?

[cologne4711]

Is anyone else concerned that September is not going to be the golden egg that everyone seems to assume it will be

Yes. I was certain Y10 and 12 would be back in school after May half term. But it seems that unless things can be 100% safe, which they never can be, the kids have got to do without a face to face education until goodness knows when.

[NuffSaidSam]

I can't see September being completely back to normal, though I hope it will be.

We heard from the school today about preparations for years who can go back and it also said 'children in other year groups will not return until September at the earliest'. So I don't think they're counting on having everyone back full time on the 1st September!

[Snuggles81]

OFSTED inspections have been suspended and when they start up again school judgements won't be based on remote learning.

What you are referring too is a review NOT inspections of what further education providers have been offering. This can been found on the Ofsted site.

At the moment we don't know what September will look like, it will depend if class sizes have to remain at 15.

[Snuggles81]

Ofsted review

[Spinakker]

I think this is getting ridiculous now. We can't keep the kids home forever. I agreed with lockdown up until now but i think the children's right to an education needs to take priority now.

[Snuggles81]

@spinakker no one is saying keep them at home but if schools have to have class sizes of 15, then it can't be normal schooling, with all in at once, you would need to double the classes and staff.

[UncomfortableSilence]

I have a Y10 & Y5. I haven't even heard from Y10s school for nearly 3 weeks so have no idea what provision is being made. The school I work in are actively planning for 10 & 12s return on 15/6 but I was chatting to a senior member of staff today who said unless the 2m rule is relaxed then this will all continue. You just cannot have a whole school in and maintain that level of distancing.

I don't want to think too far ahead as things change so quickly however I'm very worried for Y10 DDs exams and logistically have no idea if my younger DD continues with part time/home school in September how I will continue to work if she's at home.

[Cuddling57]

I'm really concerned. I have a year 10. Shocked at local secondary schools around here - they are only having the kids in for one two hour session a week, is it worth it?!

[Qasd]

Yes every time on here I say “but what about education” a poster says “it’s only six months” and I go is it? Is covid a clever virus that knows about the academic year? Realistically full time school and social distancing are impossible so full time school impossible until we do not need to social distance. If you say kids do not need an education you are talking about a lot more than six months..I would say 18 months is more realistic and in many ways optimistic, basically requiring a vaccine twice as quickly as we have ever done it before!

[Spinakker]

@Snuggles81 but it doesn't have to be class sizes of 15. I agree that's wise for now but id be happy for my child to go in a class of 30 by September even with increase risk of Covid. I know some wouldn't, but who else wouldn't mind normal class sizes in September if it meant their child can go back to full time school ?

[ChippityDoDa]

I am surprised more parents aren’t completely up in arms about this. The majority of UK children will not be educated for six months at least. SIX MONTHS!!!! And they aren’t even at risk of this thing. It’s a fucking disgrace. Our primary school have been shit at support - 2 phone calls in 12 weeks and some worksheets. Only this week have we got some videos to watch. A live needs to be drawn by September - we can’t all hide inside forever and our children have the right to an education. I’m writing to my MP tomorrow and I’m mobilising local parents to see what can be done.

[Char2015]

@ChippityDoDa

I am surprised more parents aren’t completely up in arms about this. The majority of UK children will not be educated for six months at least. SIX MONTHS!!!! And they aren’t even at risk of this thing. It’s a fucking disgrace. Our primary school have been shit at support - 2 phone calls in 12 weeks and some worksheets. Only this week have we got some videos to watch. A live needs to be drawn by September - we can’t all hide inside forever and our children have the right to an education. I’m writing to my MP tomorrow and I’m mobilising local parents to see what can be done.

Children are at risk. Let's not forget that.
They can catch the virus, they can be ill with the virus. They can spread the virus. And sadly they can die from the virus. Yes, many children may get mild symptoms but the reality is we don't know what children will die from this awful virus.
School closures have been to the protect the kids, staff, families and the wider community. Unfortunately, we are looking at prolonged time away for school for some time now, and even when all children are allowed to return, it is very likely it will be on a reduced basis. It's just something we have to go along with to protect lives.

[AJPTaylor]

I am assuming that secondary schools will be 2 days a week in Sept. Half of school in Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday cleaning, other half Thursday and Friday.
Or they will reduce social distancing in schools.
No other solution I can see given the resources.

[ChippityDoDa]

@Char2015 keep believing that 🙄. We can’t save everyone. We can all spread the virus, in Ikea, at work, at the supermarket. How long shall we hide for? How long shall we slow our children to be ignored and mistreated?

[Snuggles81]

@Spinakker hopefully by September the guidance will have changed to allow for normal class sizes but the scientists keep telling us that social distancing is here to stay for a while and that means smaller class sizes. Teachers are as much in the dark about September as the rest of the country.
I see the impact of no school on my own children all of whom are unlikely to return until September and one of those who is struggling with accessing home learning even with our support.

[Char2015]

[quote ChippityDoDa]@Char2015 keep believing that 🙄. We can’t save everyone. We can all spread the virus, in Ikea, at work, at the supermarket. How long shall we hide for? How long shall we slow our children to be ignored and mistreated?[/quote]
It's not about believing. It's about the reality of the situation. No one is expecting everyone to be saved. But by doing our bit with the social distancing, and adapting to school closures etc we will help to reduce transmission. Everything we do now is to stop the spread. Unfortunately that still is not enough. By having everything open, no social distancing, it will increase deaths. So we all have to play our part to reduce it. And unfortunately for our children that means closing schools.

Children being mistreated? I personally wouldn't use that term to describe school closure and I don't feel my 2 children are being mistreated in any way. In fact I think it's quite the opposite. Luckily, I have a very supportive school. I know some parents are not as lucky.

I understand some parents feel that there school is not being very supportive maybe with work and contact. I get that. Unfortunately, at this time parents have to get stuck in too to help educate their children.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

I wish there was someway we could know now so we can plan for september.

One week scotland says their schools will be part time in the new term, the next boris thinks he cannget all primarh kids back this term (how!?!?)

[bloated1977]

The school I work at doesn't even know if they will take their reception intake in September.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

Wow bloated! Ive assumed my yr 6 will go up to secondary... just wondered how they will do it.

They wont double the number of teachers to tewvh half classes (although that would be amazing!

[Char2015]

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

I wish there was someway we could know now so we can plan for september.

One week scotland says their schools will be part time in the new term, the next boris thinks he cannget all primarh kids back this term (how!?!?)

I've booked a career break starting from September because of the uncertainty around schools. Even if gov were to announce a plan now, that could always change before September.

I don't think all kids will go back this term. It seems very unlikely at this point. But even if they do. I'll be keeping mine off.

[Babyroobs]

My dd is year 10 so GCSE's next year. Just heard from the school today asking if she will go back. they have said there will only be capacity for a quarter of the year at any one time, no more than 15 to a class and will focus on core subjects. They will stay at one desk all day and not move classrooms and will finish school day early so that deep cleaning can take place. They also said it might just be one day a week so if finishing early barely seems worth it. Such a worry.

[Char2015]

@bloated1977

The school I work at doesn't even know if they will take their reception intake in September.

My son starts in September. Tbh, part of me hopes this is the case for his school. Purely because I don't want his first experience of a school environment to be with the restrictions that will likely be in place.
I'm starting to think gov may suggest to delay this. It's definitely an announcement I'm looking out for at some point.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

I think it is a really hard choice for reception isnt it. I think I probably wouldn't send mine in if they were starting in september but only because I'd be happy enough I can teach basic phonics and basic maths. It wouldn't be so easy a choice if not. It really isn't how starting school is supposed to be is it?

My daughter has a place a selective secondary - so do need to send her in September to keep her place. I'm hoping at 11 it will be less strange to sit in one place than it would be for a small child.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

I'm concerned. I can't teach DS properly at home, I've no qualifications in anything. I'm not up to it. Other children whose parents didn't do well at school are going to suffer.

Also I can't work from home, so no idea how I am supposed to work with school going back on a part time basis. I'm on furlough now but that won't last forever.

[ballsdeep]

@Spinakker

How selfish!