Will we be fined if we don't return our children to school?

[Pikachupoops]

Just that really. Will we be fined if we don't return children to school straight away when they reopen? This question was asked on one of the daily updates but they never answered it...

Nobody here can answer

Honestly, as a member of school staff and an ex education welfare officer I'm going with no. Unless it's an absolutely clear cut case then it's difficult to get cases to court in a normal situation. To try and push them now would be absolute madness!

I don't see how fines could be consistently applied as some children will have to remain at home if they are shielded or in a vulnerable group. Any child with a cough or fever will have to be absent for seven days and anyone living with them - including other school aged children - will have to be absent for fourteen days. Potentially you could have DC1 with a fever so DC2 and DC3 are home for fourteen days and DC1 is allowed back after seven. Three weeks later DC2 has a cough so is off for seven days while DC1 and DC3 are off for fourteen days. That's all three DC with three weeks worth of absence in the space of seven weeks.

I don't think there is any way if squaring the circle with schools but potentially the government may decide that attendance is voluntary or that it is limited to specific children.

Very much doubt it. I’m 99% certain about that.