EHCP provision during covid causing issues at school

[EHCPDDinSchool]

My DDs teacher is isolating due to her Husband (who also works at the school) testing positive for covid. This means DDs class is closed while school try to sort out supply.

DD has an EHCP so her and two others in her class with EHCPs have been asked to continue to attend school. They’re have some 1-1 and group sessions with the class TA, the other class in the years class teacher and the headteacher. This is important for DD for several reasons but the main one being she’s already 2 years behind her peers at school and also if she gets out of routine it’ll be almost impossible for me to get her back into school.

I am picking her up early (1pm) as too much 1-1 isn’t good for her either. They are also still giving DD her FSM (single parent, and on top up benefits due to low income).

I am very happy with what’s been offered as I wasn’t expecting anything at all.

On the way to school this morning one of the parents whose house we walked passed told me the class was closed, I said yes and kept walking. She said “So why are you going to school?” and I just said “Mrs X (headteacher) has said that (DD) can still go to school”.

Said parent is now trying to kick up a storm on class whatsapp stating it’s not fair that “selected favourite children still get to go to school while she’s stuck at home with hers”.

There is online school for all the children being provided by the other classes teacher and I believe it’s similar for the other class affected (2 classes per year).

I’m not worried about what she’s doing but I am worried the EHCP provision will be taken away if she kicks up enough of a fuss. I am using the time to work I admit that and I’m not unsympathetic to anyone whose trying to work with children at home. It also wouldn’t be dangerous for DD to be at home, she just won’t be able to access the online work so likely to fall further behind.

So is it likely that I need to prepare for the provisions to be taken away?

Hi, they won't take your daughter's ECHP because of this parent, please don't worry! This parent is making themselves look daft; it's got nothing to do with favourites!

Absolutely not. If she complains the head teacher will need to tell her to fuck off. I'm sure they'll enjoy that

I dont think a malicious class whatapp group will have any bearing on what the school decides to offer

Your daughter has that provision because she's been assessed as needing it. They won't take it away it's a legal obligation to put the provisions in place.

Sorry you've been made to feel awkward - some people need to mind their business but I appreciate it must be horrible if they are talking about it.

I presume you’re not worried they’ll take the EHCP away (which they won’t) but that you think the school might take the school place they’ve just offered you away whilst the rest of the class is closed. This is unlikely-they’ll probably just tell the other parents to lump it.

I am stunned they have closed a class because the teacher’s husband is positive though-I’d have thought the DfE themselves would be on the phone to the head! We have teachers teaching across the school who have positive husbands, children and parents they live with! The government say there is no need to isolate!

@Howshouldibehave

I presume you’re not worried they’ll take the EHCP away (which they won’t) but that you think the school might take the school place they’ve just offered you away whilst the rest of the class is closed. This is unlikely-they’ll probably just tell the other parents to lump it.

I am stunned they have closed a class because the teacher’s husband is positive though-I’d have thought the DfE themselves would be on the phone to the head! We have teachers teaching across the school who have positive husbands, children and parents they live with! The government say there is no need to isolate!

I have no idea how it works or maybe whether the Husband might be more ill that we're being told so the teachers caring for him - so she might be off on compassionate grounds.

Just tune out that parents complaints - they can take it to the school and will be put right.

Your child shouldn't suffer any consequences whatsoever (if they do speak to your county liaison or better yet IPSEA)

You could ask this woman if she would really rather have a child with disabilities and make it clear that her jealousy is quite misplaced.

@PickAChew

You could ask this woman if she would really rather have a child with disabilities and make it clear that her jealousy is quite misplaced.

I don't consider DD to be disabled but you make a good point.

DD has severe dyslexia and can't read, can write but it#s mostly illegible and she struggles in maths. Hence why she's so far behind at school.

I would rather DD was "normal" and didn't need the EHCP.

An EHCP, as you know, is very hard to come by and can’t be removed just because some parent needs to get a life.

@Foxyloxy1plus1

An EHCP, as you know, is very hard to come by and can’t be removed just because some parent needs to get a life.

Its not the EHCP i'm worried about its the extra time in school while her class is closed I'm worried about.

As I said its not dangerous for her to be at home, but she school refuses sometimes and when she's out of routine thats more likely, I can't lift her so I can't get her in if she refuses so keeping her routine going is important.

No they can’t remove the provision because they are legally obligated to meet the needs as set out in her EHCP.

Earlier in the first lockdowns schools only had to make “best efforts” to meet the needs. But now they have to go back to providing everything set out in that document. In your daughter’s case, I would imagine that remote learning would not meet those needs, and so she needs to be onsite instead.

An angry parent won’t change that. But that parent should be focussing energy on why the head has not found a supply teacher for the class instead of sending them home.

How long has the class been/will be closed for?

You don’t usually close a class because someone has to look after their spouse. The head/deputy/TA will usually cover a class till the supply gets in if it’s an emergency but that’s usually same day!

All I can think is that the teacher hasn’t been double vaccinated yet, which is why she has to isolate. My dh tested positive, I had to have a test so had a day off whilst waiting for the results, then returned to school with daily testing whilst he was off work.
It’s concerning that school have closed the class, and also that they’ve shared confidential information about their staff with the parents. I’d be livid if my Head had told my class why I was absent.

I think in some parts of the country supply teachers are in very short supply - the school might not have many options.

@Howshouldibehave

How long has the class been/will be closed for?

You don’t usually close a class because someone has to look after their spouse. The head/deputy/TA will usually cover a class till the supply gets in if it’s an emergency but that’s usually same day!

HT and DHT have their own classes they teach as although its 2 classes per year there's actually only 45-50 in each year group so 2 small classes.

The class closed on Tuesday but teachers have been off since Monday, classes were doubled up for the one day. The latest text says they're hoping to have supply in by Monday but will let us know over the weekend.

@Soontobe60

All I can think is that the teacher hasn’t been double vaccinated yet, which is why she has to isolate. My dh tested positive, I had to have a test so had a day off whilst waiting for the results, then returned to school with daily testing whilst he was off work. It’s concerning that school have closed the class, and also that they’ve shared confidential information about their staff with the parents. I’d be livid if my Head had told my class why I was absent.

All the letter said was "Mr and Mrs Y will be off due to Mr Y testing positive for covid" I assume they had permission to share the reason with us as when staff have been off in the past we just get a letter saying "Mrs J will be off until further notice".