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Original poster

Critical workers list is huge

69 replies

HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 12:43

Just received an email from secondary school about which children can attend. The critical worker list they will accept is huge:

  • Health and social care
  • Education and childcare
  • Key public services
  • Public safety and national security
  • Local and national government
  • Food and other necessary goods
  • Transport
  • Utilities, communication and financial services

I have a feeling school with be pretty busy anyway on the 5th when ours go back!

OP posts:
Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 12:44

People who really cannot work from home with children or have to go out to work may be able to access school if on this list.

OP posts:
Bunnybigears · 31/12/2020 12:45

I am on the list of critical workers as is DH but DS will still be staying at home. I dont know any secondary age children (except for special needs etc) who can't be left home alone.

TitInATrance · 31/12/2020 12:46

Great that so many people are doing critically useful jobs! I wouldn’t argue with any of those.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Corriefan2021 · 31/12/2020 12:46

Here it has to be both parents who are essential workers.

Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 12:46

I'm lucky that our local secondary has dealt with the pandemic well. Very few cases and enforce mask wearing in school apart from lessons and hot on it. Vulnerable teachers are using face shields. It's not perfect but the school have done really well.
Just moved into Tier 3 BUT the cases are nothing like other areas in tier 3.

OP posts:
Littlebelina · 31/12/2020 12:46

That sounds like the same list as it's been all along (in England anyway, I know Scotland's was more limited). Always has covered a lot

Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 12:48

@Bunnybigears

I am on the list of critical workers as is DH but DS will still be staying at home. I dont know any secondary age children (except for special needs etc) who can't be left home alone.
I wouldn't leave a lot of Year 7 students home alone all day - parent leaves for work to travel then home later so could potentially be a 10 hour stretch..... they are only 11 years old in most cases
OP posts:
RosieLemonade · 31/12/2020 12:50

I guess it shows how many jobs are essential for a country to run?
We’re both KW but we kept DD at home for the duration last time. It was intense. I’m hoping she can go in as she is know at school nursery not a private nursery.

Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 12:51

@RosieLemonade

I guess it shows how many jobs are essential for a country to run? We’re both KW but we kept DD at home for the duration last time. It was intense. I’m hoping she can go in as she is know at school nursery not a private nursery.
Our local primaries are open and so if nursery attached to a school it might be the same for you?
OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 31/12/2020 12:52

I'm not sure why people are surprised how many people it takes to keep the country running at a very basic level. A lot of people very vocal about lockdown (on other threads) seem to have no idea how many people actually have to leave the house to go to work.I'm sure some people seem to think its just emergency services and teachers!
Im not a critical worker (although was in a sector that was permitted during the last lockdown) I think I will probably be furloughed but although I could leave my 11 year old (and older sibling) for a day, and have done previously, I'm not convinced how much work he would do without prompting.

Vanannabananna · 31/12/2020 12:53

Our school said it had to be both parents last time and expect same to be enforced again if (when) they close. Both of us are so DS will get a place but will go 3 days as I only work 3 days.

MadeForThis · 31/12/2020 12:53

Are secondary schools open for children of critical workers or just primary schools?

Bunnybigears · 31/12/2020 12:55

I wouldn't leave a lot of Year 7 students home alone all day - parent leaves for work to travel then home later so could potentially be a 10 hour stretch.....
they are only 11 years old in most cases

Thats where we are different, we did last time and will do again this time. He has breakfast with us before we go, has his lunch made for him and left in the fridge, has his tea when we get back. He has his phone so we can keep in contact all day. Door is locked and told not to answer it but he has a key to get out if necessary. If he messes around and doesn't do his own he just has to do it in the evening when we get in. I'm not sure what you imagine could happen to an 11 year old in their own house?!

EssentialHummus · 31/12/2020 12:55

Seems sensible to me except "financial services" - that's an incredibly broad category that covers all of Canary Wharf iiuc.

NOTANUM · 31/12/2020 13:03

I also wondered about financial services, particularly as they're mostly working from home.
I believe several hundred thousands work in financial services in jobs ranging from support staff to customer relationship managers to traders. Can the schools in the SE accommodate their children?

rainbowunicorn · 31/12/2020 13:04

I honestly can't imagine why any NT secondary aged child would need childcare, which is what the schools are offering. They should be perfectly capable of spending the day at home.

Bunnybigears · 31/12/2020 13:05

My job is covered under 'financial services' I cant do my job from home the amount of paper files etc we still use makes it impossible. I work in Payroll if I don't work people who work in care homes, hospitals, supermarkets etc dont get paid.

Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 13:07

@MadeForThis

Are secondary schools open for children of critical workers or just primary schools?
In Tier 3 - I don't know the rules for tier 4 secondaries are open for the list of workers above.
OP posts:
Mumoftwoinprimary · 31/12/2020 13:08

@NOTANUM

I also wondered about financial services, particularly as they're mostly working from home. I believe several hundred thousands work in financial services in jobs ranging from support staff to customer relationship managers to traders. Can the schools in the SE accommodate their children?
Yes - I work in Financial Services but I can work from home around the kids so no need for my children to go into school. Someone like counter staff on a bank are needed but not me. I do know a few who sent their kids in using their “Financial Services” title in the last lockdown though. (I also know some SAHMs with medic husbands who sent their kids in which seemed even dodgier!)
lavenderlou · 31/12/2020 13:08

A lot of schools are saying both parents (unless a lone parent family) must be critical workers to access a place.

NothingIsWrong · 31/12/2020 13:09

I'm on that list, but Y8 DD will be staying at home as although DH and I both work out of the house, we aren't out all the time so we can do enough popping in to keep an eye on her. If the primaries closed though, my little two would have to go in for at least 3 days a week.

FightingWithTheWind · 31/12/2020 13:12

I am classed as a critical worker and cannot do my job from home, however I work outside of school hours as do many other parents in those roles, not every child of critical workers will be sent back to school. Older children are unlikely to need much supervision as well, and many parents will feel safer not sending them in, others may only be in on certain days rather than all 5 days. The list of key workers was very long during the first lockdown and alot of schools were empty then as well.

jillypill · 31/12/2020 13:14

A lot of people very vocal about lockdown (on other threads) seem to have no idea how many people actually have to leave the house to go to work.

And how essential it is that these people do this in order to facilitate those that never want to leave the house.

Original poster
HappyNewYear2021 · 31/12/2020 13:17

@jillypill

A lot of people very vocal about lockdown (on other threads) seem to have no idea how many people actually have to leave the house to go to work.

And how essential it is that these people do this in order to facilitate those that never want to leave the house.

I noticed this too. It is quite apparent that there are some SAHM/not working financially secure people who think that locking down and shutting up shop is possible for everyone. I think they should do what suits them and leave people that have to work alone. They really have no idea and appear to live in a bubble of ignorance.
OP posts:
Thatwentbadly · 31/12/2020 13:20

@MadeForThis

Are secondary schools open for children of critical workers or just primary schools?
Yes they are. They will have fewer children as older teenagers will be OK by themselves at home. Schools are also open for vulnerable students