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Original poster

Negative sibling being told to stay off school

44 replies

MuggedByTheSleepThief · 27/09/2021 18:10

Hi everyone, I am a bit flummoxed by this. COVID outbreak at primary school so all were recommended to get a pcr. We did and our yr 6 tested pos (asymptomatic). Younger yr 4 sibling tested negative,

School have just emailed to tell us to keep the negative (and no symptoms) yr 4 off for 10 days as well. I thought this is contrary to the approach to keep kids in school. Has anyone else had this? More school missed……

OP posts:
Original poster
MuggedByTheSleepThief · 27/09/2021 20:14

That's a county wide policy now up here in Cumbria, as directed by PHE. Although the negative sibling is allowed back in school after a PCR on day 3-5 after the first one tests positive

Really useful thanks. I’ll aim for another pcr on day 4 and take it from there

OP posts:
Sherrystrull · 27/09/2021 20:29

@Blahdyblahbla

Our school tried this. One of the mothers just deposited the negative sibling at the door and walked off, she's our hero Grin. The school did precisely nothing about it, it was their "preference" that siblings staid away, but absolutely not a requirement.
This is why vulnerable staff and children are struggling massively. Is there any need for the glee?
Buttons294749 · 27/09/2021 20:35

Fwiw once one of us had covid we all caught it one by one. It's crazy that the rules are as they are

My work have said WFH if you are a clos3 contact

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Covid-19 General education Primary education
toomuchlaundry · 27/09/2021 21:07

@Blahdyblahbla any parent that does that is not a hero, they are an idiot, and any parent that thinks they were a hero, is also an idiot.

Blahdyblahbla · 27/09/2021 21:25

Our school has been especially useless throughout covid, home learning has been laughable, and they are now not following government guidance, which I believe is their legal obligation. We, as a body of parents, want our children to be in school receiving an education. Everyone is very vocal about that.

I won't apologise for thinking that we should be following SAGE advice, not the decision making of Mrs Jones with her A Level in biology.

Children have lost so, so much in this pandemic, and I believe that school is the best place for them, to be with friends, play, learn, be kids. Our school particularly (I can't speak for others) seem to have a huge sense of entitlement, and I fear the sibling thing would be the tip of the iceberg if everyone willingly accepted it.

DeathMetalMum · 27/09/2021 21:31

Dd1 had a test (negative) last week and school requested if positive to keep dd2 off to prevent spread in other year groups.

I thought it made sense and actually easier than trying to get one dc to school while the other isolates.

Original poster
MuggedByTheSleepThief · 27/09/2021 21:44

I get where you are coming from blah we have the same attitude from our school - home learning support has been poor, and we have never had even one after school club start back up again last term or this.

The cautious approach probably is right but when coupled with the bare minimum in every other area it is hard to take

OP posts:
TheLovelinessOfDemons · 27/09/2021 21:45

No, DS2 was expected to go in.

MrMeSeeks · 27/09/2021 22:02

Our school tried this. One of the mothers just deposited the negative sibling at the door and walked off, she's our hero

Oh yes, what a hero Hmm
It’s No wonder cases go up with people like this, and others declaring them ‘heroes’
It’s not just children who have lost out.
If it were your family member in hospital and you were wondering if they were actually ever going to come out again, i wonder if you would still think these people heroes?

surreygirl1987 · 27/09/2021 22:24

Urgh. It's as though people don't want to catch covid - how crazy!

OP, you are correct that children who test negative do not have to isolate, despite having positive siblings/ parents. Although in my view, as a teacher with a classroom rammed full of pupils and no way of distancing, it is utter madness. Knowing that in my class pupils X and Y's siblings tested positive yesterday, and that 4 members of the class are also off with positives, does, funnily enough, make me feel uneasy about teaching them - especially when they are coughing and spluttering all over the place, mask free.

Sherrystrull · 27/09/2021 22:32

It's almost like people are suggesting that some school staff deserve to catch covid as they did less than wonderful remote learning or after two years of being bashed by the media haven't restarted an after school club (which is usually another thing run on good will).

That'll teach them...Hmm

Original poster
MuggedByTheSleepThief · 28/09/2021 07:38

Not at all sherry. It was something I had never heard of, not publicly known here, so I asked and got some great factual answers up thread.

Yes it is hard to see schooling suffer and limp through shorter school days when neighbouring schools returned to normal last term. You could see this observation as bashing, or as a tribute to all those schools who bounced back.

OP posts:
Whataroyalannoyance · 28/09/2021 07:55

@MuggedByTheSleepThief

Not at all sherry. It was something I had never heard of, not publicly known here, so I asked and got some great factual answers up thread.

Yes it is hard to see schooling suffer and limp through shorter school days when neighbouring schools returned to normal last term. You could see this observation as bashing, or as a tribute to all those schools who bounced back.

I'd see it more as you not knowing the individual situations of every single adult in both settings. Our school did an amazing amount during lock downs the sister school wasn't as great, the heads husband died from covid, 1 teacher was ecv due to cancer and another ecv due to a lung condition. All those parents complaining about the schools not taking risk or providing are also the parents who don't have all the information. You have no idea how risky it could be to any particular teacher to contract covid
Original poster
MuggedByTheSleepThief · 28/09/2021 08:38

So in sum thanks for the info re PHE and testing regimes elsewhere, provided upthread. Dd and Ds both off as asked and with luck will get immunity without illness - that’s how I’m selling it to them anyway.

Good luck to all in the same boat.

OP posts:
Bumpsadaisie · 28/09/2021 12:29

@Blahdyblahbla

Our school has been especially useless throughout covid, home learning has been laughable, and they are now not following government guidance, which I believe is their legal obligation. We, as a body of parents, want our children to be in school receiving an education. Everyone is very vocal about that.

I won't apologise for thinking that we should be following SAGE advice, not the decision making of Mrs Jones with her A Level in biology.

Children have lost so, so much in this pandemic, and I believe that school is the best place for them, to be with friends, play, learn, be kids. Our school particularly (I can't speak for others) seem to have a huge sense of entitlement, and I fear the sibling thing would be the tip of the iceberg if everyone willingly accepted it.

I think you can only hold these views on an assumption that covid is no problem to children at all.

It is very unlikely to kill them but they can have a nasty ride. My very healthy never been ill 12 year old is into her third week with it - fatigued and exhausted. The return to school this year has been a wipe out for her. It has been by far the greatest disruption to her learning too - much more so than self isolation and home learning - since she simply hasn't done any work for three weeks as she hasn't been well. Not sure how she can catch up.

Can't see how is it heroic to spread a bug that does that to a child?

Wizzbangfizz · 28/09/2021 17:11

I think the majority of people hold the views of @Blahdyblahbla and they should be holding those to account especially if the face of how much the children have already missed. And having also expressed woeful "support" I agree that adapting the guidelines isn't right - either you follow the science and official guidance or don't - not just when it suits. The "risk" is everywhere.

toomuchlaundry · 28/09/2021 17:43

But if they are following PHE advice @Wizzbangfizz

Antinerak · 28/09/2021 20:29

I'm pretty sure it's to keep everyone else safe, your precious child will be just fine with 10 days off school. It's much better than a child or teacher never going back to school because of you Smile

Bumpsadaisie · 28/09/2021 23:43

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/sep/28/12-of-english-pupils-report-continuing-covid-symptoms-weeks-after-infection

Many children with covid have a runny nose a cough and a headache. But unless this study is wrong, a sizeable percentage (12%) are more seriously affected and are managing the after effects of it for a good while after.

I am very happy for my children to self isolate for 10 days of home learning, if necessary, in order to protect other children and staff pending roll out of the vaccine.

I think the biggest predictor of how children will experience lockdown/self isolation is how much rage their parents get themselves into about it. Enraged and aggrieved parents, protesting at the gates, undermining the school = anxious and depressed children.

Parents who can manage their own emotions in an adult way, can model making the best of what is possible within limitations, support the school and show appreciation of the many benefits we in this country do enjoy, including quickly and freely available vaccines = children who adjust and even grow in the experience.

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