Are you sending your children back to school in August/September

[RosieLemonade]

Just that really. I’m sending DD. I feel that she will be safe in her school and they will do their best to accommodate as much of the curriculum as possible.

i think if pubs and primark are open then whats the sense of keeping kids home. This could be with us long term. We cant all stay in forever. Doesnt mean its not scary, but children need an education

Yes, and the whole family cannot wait. It will do DD the world of good to return to some semblance of normality. She thrives on routines and has been a bit down being at home. It's not been great, having an only child.

Yes but the countless people saying 'of course and I don't see why people wouldn't' are being naive at best and goady at worst.

Of course people have very LEGITIMATE concerns.

[quote RosieLemonade]@labyrinthloafer did you children go in at all during lockdown? At my school the bubbles didn’t mix under any circumstances. It does work.[/quote]
You do realise that the small safe consistent bubbles that we had during lockdown when we had half sized classes of only priority year groups is completely different to what will happen in September, don’t you?

Even if your child is in a primary school, with just 30 other children in their class, they will be mixing with others. Many schools are trying to keep year groups together, which could be 90 children and they will be mixing with other teachers, TAs, lunchtime supervisors, intervention teachers, PPA teachers, supply teachers, visitors, volunteers etc etc. Plus playtimes, lunchtime plus before/after school.

In a secondary-you may only be with your year group of 180/270, but all the teachers will be teaching across all year groups, so there is no bubble at all.

Sorry I admit I’m very primary minded as that’s what I teach and where DD will be.

Hell yeah!!! Happy that my clinical friends have advised that they feel it's safe (not just government bullshit) and I've had enough of living like this!!

Yes of course. We have all the instructions for staggered starts, protocols etc as well as plan B in the event of further closures.

Absolutely, would have sent her back months ago if possible. I am very unworried about Covid, more worried about the amount of school missed and the amount of screen time had, despite my best efforts to control it.

Definitely, they should have been back weeks ago. DS got a week at least before the summer but DD (going into year 9) nothing. They are both desperate to be back. Homeschooling sounded fun back in March but the novelty soon wore off!

@MoreListeningLessChatting

Yes our local school academy said it is mandatory.

I am happy that it is safe so yes they are returning.

Who says it's safe? School? Of course they would. Gov? They have proven their incompetence on so many levels, but this one must be true.

@sonicbook

Yes but the countless people saying 'of course and I don't see why people wouldn't' are being naive at best and goady at worst.

Of course people have very LEGITIMATE concerns.

Then they presumably think they know better than my paediatrician friend, who has happily kept his three in school right through (key worker provision).

Hell Yeah!

No it's mandatory where I am yet but even it is I will not be.
Clinically vunerable DC advice today is those coming off shielding to still practise strict social distancing yet putting kids into classrooms with no social distancing in place therefore increasing the risk to those vunerable who really really do need to be maintaining distance to lower their risk.
Mixed messages as usual...it reads to me that they currently have an ICU bed if it's needed so it doesn't matter if they get seriously ill

Yes definitely! My youngest was already back before the summer. My only anxiety is another bloody lockdown interrupting their schooling again

@Letseatgrandma spot on.

God yes. I've been fortunate to have key worker places through lockdown which was initially quite scary and school was a bit weird for them but that last half term before summer I was so grateful that they were able to go to school, see friends, be taught by a teacher rather than a screen,
My older one (14) stayed home schooling and liked it but she really needs the routine and socialisation of school now.

Yes, DS1 is due to start reception and can't wait! I think we've already had it though which makes me less worried.

Yes - especially for my 14yo as she’s due to start GCSE’s in Y10 in Sept.

@SomewhereEast I presume your 'paediatrician' friend then has access to all the medical background of all children who are going to be returning to schools in august/september then ?

I haven't bought new school uniform yet.

With our Prime Minister and health minister both foreshadowing a second wave "from Europe" 🙄 I imagine the numbers they're looking at don't like good.

GallBladder I understand it’s harder if your dc are clinically vulnerable. What will you do?

[quote gallbladderpain]**@SomewhereEast I presume your 'paediatrician' friend then has access to all the medical background of all children who are going to be returning to schools in august/september then ? [/quote]
The vast vast majority of children don't fall into that category though, do they? This thread did not specify clinically vulnerable children, did it? . I'm sorry if its an issue for you, but your experience really isn't everyone's

@MarshaBradyo

GallBladder I understand it’s harder if your dc are clinically vulnerable. What will you do?

Unsure what our plan will be as of yet. My post above actually had a typo. Its currently NOT mandatory where i am and those who are clinically vunerable are being advised to learn from home where possible however we are expecting on the back of Scotland's announcement today for that to be changed before they start back in September whereas atm we are still in a part time return situation with distance learning the rest of the time so in theory with distance learning in place for everyone else theres no reason at this stage that my DC couldn't learn from home full time.

If that does all change i will be putting forward my case to the school based on the guidance we have to follow to keep safe and how those very same basic's will not be applying within the classroom setting

@SomewhereEast Then they presumably think they know better than my paediatrician friend, who has happily kept his three in school right through (key worker provision).
I am going to hedge a bet that your friend is not extremely clinically vulnerable.
Have a little think about what people’s legitimate concerns may be!

My son carried on going in throughout lockdown due to severe behavioural issues autism ADHD and learning difficulties . He was seen as highly vulnerable at his specialist school and could not manage loss of routine nor could I manage his behaviour when he is 2:1 .

I do think people should have the choice to send their children in though. Without fines . Smaller classes will help all if some keep their children at home . I just hope these children are checked up on as some children in abusive households - they will have suffered immensely.