Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Masks all day in school

260 replies

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 12:25

Furious just about sums up how I feel at the moment. Just had an email from DS1’s school (he is going into Y11) saying they will be required to wear masks all day long in school from the minute they get inside the school gates to when they leave. They are allowed to take them off to eat lunch but will need to be put back on immediately. Before I fire off an email to the school, just wondered how I stand legally with refusing to give permission for him to wear one all day long? It’s completely against the DofE guidance which states corridors and transitions only.
We live rurally and are in a very very low Covid area for what’s its worth, no where near areas on local lockdown.

OP posts:
Aragog · 31/08/2020 19:27

His school set revision work of stuff they had already learnt

You mean they followed the Government guidelines?

whattodo2019 · 31/08/2020 19:25

Of mask wearing allowed our children to get back and stay back at school I'm all for it and so are my Children.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 19:24

@justaweeone

He either wants to do pilot training or go to university to do a Sports Journalism degree (or maybe a PE teacher!!)

OP posts:
justaweeone · 31/08/2020 19:23

He did OP and yes I believe there are quite a few coming this year (more than last year)

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 19:22

Apart from the annoying pandemic. But other than that it’s a good time.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 19:21

Brilliant. It’s an exciting phase. I went to school in Aus so find it all new as we had a different system. But I feel happy they get to focus on what they enjoy at A level.

justaweeone · 31/08/2020 19:20

That combo is fine as it gives him the opportunity to explore lots of pathways but as you say the timetabling blocks might be an issue. Has he any idea of what future pathway post 18?

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 19:20

@justaweeone

Did he go to OB?

DS plays football for a team in that area and some of them are coming this way for 6th Form.

OP posts:
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 19:19

@MarshaBradyo

He loves those subjects and has 2 very different career aspirations which sort of fit round those subjects. If he really couldn’t do them he would probably drop PE for Maths or Biology. He either wants to be a pilot or a Sports Journalist.

OP posts:
justaweeone · 31/08/2020 19:18

It's been a really positive experience for him
He had to work hard for half decent grades at GCSE
Chose a double ward in BTEC and an A level subject. He went to an 11-16 High so had to move. But it's been a really welcoming sixth form community and he has made some really lovely friends.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 19:16

Interesting combo!

Ds is fixated on sciences atm

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 19:15

@MarshaBradyo

He wants to do Physics, Media Studies and PE which don’t usually go together! He has very specific reasons for wanting to do them but I’m very doubtful the timetabling will work to enable him to do that.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 19:12

I have a dc going into yr11 too. I’m intrigued what A levels does he want to do? (If you can say)

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 19:08

@justaweeone

Yes that crossed my mind as well but then maybe they should say that on the email. The levels here are so incredibly low that it really doesn’t make sense. DS wants to do an incredibly bizarre combination on A levels so I just hope he does well enough this year to be able to do them. How has your son found 6th form?

OP posts:
ElizabethMainwaring · 31/08/2020 18:53

Op, I really don't want to sound like doom monger, but I think that we should all prepare for the worse.

justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:42

I wonder if it is due to a recent outbreak 15 miles away.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 18:40

I work in a school as well (although with EYFS and KS1) and I know we aren’t expected to wear masks so was very surprised when the email came through this morning, wasn’t what I was expecting at all!

OP posts:
justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:37

OP
Think it is the same school. I was very surprised re the use of masks.
But who knows how it will all change for schools in the next few weeks.
Feel quite sick about the next half term, our Senior leadership team are reeling( and have worked so hard to plan and plan again and again) and staff just who want the best outcome for our students.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 18:21

If it’s the same school then yes communication (and Covid provision) has been appalling. Our HT looks like Edna from The Incredibles.

OP posts:
Nanalisa60 · 31/08/2020 18:17

That hats a bit harsh, wearing it all day!! Even here in Scotland , Queen Nicol is only making them wear them in corridors and communal inside places. Not in class. Or in the playground.

justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:16

Not sure as never seen the Head. But to be fair he only went there for sixth form and overall even with this has had a really positive experience there. However had he been there in KS3/4 and the very poor school communication I think I would view it differently.

justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:12

Regarding vaccinating a child in my county the school aren't even involved with the permission now, parents/carers give their permission direct to the school vaccination team.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 18:09

@justaweeone

Does the HT look like someone from a Disney film? (Although that just might be me that thinks that!!)

OP posts:
justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:06

Think it might be the same school! Yep only one hour meeting (Y12). Luckily my Ds has been self driven and has had plenty of work set. But I'm very surprised re the masks and really feel for the staff as well.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 18:03

@justaweeone

I’m in Norfolk (just!)

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread