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Original poster

Anyone else’s children’s school like a ghost town?

25 replies

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 09:01

Since last week, playground is eerily quiet at drop off and pick up, there were only 6 in dds class last week and the same across the other classes. Not isolating but people keeping kids off to avoid isolating.

Can’t say I blame them really (we have no plans as per usual for summers), it’s just so strange to see it so quiet! It’s a big school so it’s usually heaving.

Dd has been having a blast, she adores her teacher and the TAs and they have had so much attention with so few in, teacher has some lovely things planned for these last few days. Today they are building dens pretend camping all day, picnic lunch (hope the teachers get to relax and sunbathe for a bit ).

OP posts:

Original poster

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 09:02

Also, i’m so tired with a very sweaty non sleeping baby and the apostrophes in the title took me far too long to think about and they still look wrong

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Mumdiva99 · 19/07/2021 09:19

My year 4 was back this morning after isolation. And I think there is one other year maybe still out.....but it was definitely quieter than usual. If I had a holiday starring next weekend I would be tempted to keep them off too.....but I don't and my y6 needs (fingers crossed) to have her last few days.

MotionActivatedDog · 19/07/2021 09:23

Today they are building dens pretend camping all day, picnic lunch (hope the teachers get to relax and sunbathe for a bit grin).

Aww how lovely! What great teachers your dd has!

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MindMinDer · 19/07/2021 09:23

Nope, not really. We're in a Covid hotspot and I don't think most families will be going on holiday this year. DC is in y6 as well and today is their last day, so this morning there were actually more parents than usual.

Celandines · 19/07/2021 09:26

Yes. Last week dd said lessons had 4-12 kids in. This week year 9 upwards are at home doing online lessons and some Year 7-8 are in. So some of 2 years out of 7. Cases were rocketing in the school

SpongeBarb · 19/07/2021 09:26

My school was quiet this morning. I am still just grateful mine can go in at all.

LostInTime · 19/07/2021 09:28

Judging by the primary schools I drive past on the way to work, I think several have actually closed early due to numbers off.
My DCs school obviously have no Y13s or Y11s now, but about 60% of the remaining children are isolating.

GiantToadstool · 19/07/2021 14:35

Wow we have high covid I think and both primary and secondary kid said school seems normal....

Our primary fines for time out and is strict on it but even so. Im amazed at schools with just 6. Are people super affluent and risking going abroad?

MyFloorIsLava · 19/07/2021 14:37

School had more or less normal crowds at drop off but all the children looked like zombies trailing their legs behind them in the heat. No doubt half of them will come out sobbing with exhaustion at home time.

LimeRedBanana · 19/07/2021 14:40

I feel so sorry for teachers in the UK.

Bet they are literally counting down the days.

CMOTDibbler · 19/07/2021 14:41

My ds got sent home Friday morning, but we got an email Sunday night to say that as more children were isolating than not, the school was closing to them all, see you in September!

MyFloorIsLava · 19/07/2021 14:44

@LimeRedBanana

I feel so sorry for teachers in the UK.

Bet they are literally counting down the days.

My DD's lovely teacher literally told me she's counting down the days this morning and I do not blame her one bit!

Original poster

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 14:44

@GiantToadstool

Wow we have high covid I think and both primary and secondary kid said school seems normal....

Our primary fines for time out and is strict on it but even so. Im amazed at schools with just 6. Are people super affluent and risking going abroad?

We live in a deprived area, the school itself is in one of the most deprived areas of the west midlands, so no, i’d guess not many super affluent people at dd school.

Still, people may have holidays and plans they don’t want to risk.

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Karwomannghia · 19/07/2021 14:45

Don’t know, dd is self isolating!

Also the apostrophes are correct.

GiantToadstool · 19/07/2021 14:48

Lots of schools have yeargroups isolating here just not ours. We're not affluent.

The primary goes right thru to friday. Id love them to finish now as its soooo hot - but I don't want to isolate...

AnxiousWeirdo · 19/07/2021 14:49

Yep, reception, year 1 and year 6 are all at home this week, some isolating because a year 2 pupil has covid and they share after school club (DD Inc) but mainly because the teachers are isolating and there's no staff. Last week there was 9 students in dds class because of some stomach thing going round.

GetTheStartyParted · 19/07/2021 14:56

Many parents were keeping their children off this week (only in today and tomorrow). Our town has rocketing rates at the moment.

My DS was at school for about 2 hours before I received a phone call. He has to isolate for 10 days now, due to another child testing positive. DS guessed around half the class stayed home. He had only been back for a week since last self isolating.

So between positive cases, self isolating and cautious parents, it most definitely will resemble a ghost town.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/07/2021 15:06

The road has been a lot quieter for about two weeks. Closed on Friday for the end of term.

ValerieMorghulis · 19/07/2021 15:07

I’m guessing not many of the families have both parents working, then?

I couldn’t countenance taking extra days leave, just before the summer holidays; it’s hard enough covering all the weeks, then trying to keep some leave “spare” in case of illness or isolation later on, or the cancellation of childcare or activities. There’s no way I’d take them out early!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/07/2021 15:10

Our summer holidays have already started. So yes, the school is like a ghost town, but nothing to do with Covid.

School was full last week.
In fact, neither DD had to isolate once all year.

Original poster

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 16:25

Ok so mystery solved.

Dh went to pick her up and had a chat with the teacher, he was one of only three parents at the class door today.

The teacher said it’s nothing to do with covid, every year it’s the same if the last week or so before the summer holidays is sunny, no one comes in for the last few days, said it’s been like that since she started work there 6 years ago.

DD only started there in September after a house move so we weren’t aware!

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Original poster

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 16:28

They did have a lovely day though! The few kids that are in school for the next two days across all years are having a free for all! Teachers have very understandably given up.

Dds “class” get to be the teachers for the morning tomorrow and the staff the students and then it’s back to the dens they built today.

Wednesday they are thinking water fight staff v students.

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GiantToadstool · 19/07/2021 16:37

Wow dens and waterfights sounds amazing!

SpongeBarb · 19/07/2021 17:17

Wow, that's incredible that so many are away because it's sunny. My kids are doing fun stuff every day, I am sure they'd prefer to be in school than with me!

Original poster

Arsebucket · 19/07/2021 17:28

@SpongeBarb

Wow, that's incredible that so many are away because it's sunny. My kids are doing fun stuff every day, I am sure they'd prefer to be in school than with me!

Ha, I know! Dd would be gutted to be at home!

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