To wonder if I'm the only person who won't be sending kids to school in August

[user8558]

AIBU to wonder if I'm the only one who won't be sending DC back to school in August.

I initially thought "wait and see", but now the details are coming out about what it will be like. And my instinct is telling me to keep them off until normality resumes. Or something closer to normality.

Homeschooling has been going well. I'm not worried about their education.

I do worry about the lack of social interaction, but feel on balance this need wouldn't be satisfied adequately until things are a bit more relaxed anyway.

I wouldn't be expecting any work to be set for my kids, I'll take care of their home learning.

I cannot be the only one feeling this and thinking this?

Or is everyone going back in August/September?

How on earth is it goady

I honestly think you are being unreasonable. School is about so much more than education, social skills are what kids really need. You may forget things you have learnt in school but you won't forget the friends you make along the way.

"Banned," as a word, implies that someone is specifically denied or forbidden doing something, usually following their own behaviour of some sort.
That is not the case in schools. If schools are still (effectively) closed, it is because the restrictions imposed by the Government due to Covid mean that they are not safe to the children to attend.
Not the same thing at all.

I once had a conversation with a parent who was refusing to send her child to school in case there was a terrorist attack. This wasn't prompted by any particular threat, just the parent's anxiety. The thing is there is always some risks in life but it's important for children to see their parents dealing with the uncertainties in life.

“State schools going back before private schools smacks of cannon fodder to me”
most private schools are long back (ours since the 8th, we are in england)
Eton etc are a) secondary and b) boarding schools - very, very different

I'm in Scotland and my dd will be going back to nursery when it opens. They're thinking some time in the second half of July.

She will benefit from going back to normal.

@user8558 How odd that you should post this:

Some people are being outright unpleasant and nasty on this thread.

then this

Don't be ridiculous Nike.

I dread to think what you home life is like if you think kids need to go attend school more than see their parents. Some people are utterly bonkers.

to a poster who was neither unpleasant or nasty to you but simply gave their opinion without being personal. Dishing it out quite happily there ...

Had an email from school yesterday saying reopening for two days a week for my daughters year, splitting class in two so either mon/tues or thurs/Friday from 6th July. Neither of us can bloody wait! She has already been back at childminders since start of June and I am working from home indefinitely.

OP you can see that overwhelmingly parents don’t agree with you.
But that seems not to be enough. You seem to think they’re disagreeing because they’re sad/jealous/whatever.
But think about it, if they want to continue to home school they can. It’s perfectly legal. But they don’t want to.
The End.

I'll send DD back asap. I'm more concerned about next winter than I am about August. My feeling is, get her as much schooling while things are tailing off and the sun's out, because we may have to deal with this all over again when the temperatures drop.

schools are for learning not socialising

🤦‍♀️

My DD5 has gone back full time as of yesterday. She loves it. I have my happy little girl back. She was turning into a feral hermit. WFH full time, homeschooling with a 11 month old was not happening.

Mine will be back ASAP. I'm very angry about how long they have been off.
All 3 nearest hospitals have not a single covid patient, yes not one! Of course my children will be going back

State schools going back before private schools smacks of cannon fodder to me

The private school here went back a while ago, not the whole school but certainly a fair few. They are also essentially businesses, if parents want their children back in September they will likely reopen fully then. I don't mean this harshly but the sad reality is that the vast majority who are privately educated will have the means at home (laptop, internet etc) to access online learning- unfortunately not the case for everyone else. They aren't missing out as much, the longer that schools stay shut the further the gap between those in private and those in public schools is likely to widen. I think it's great news.

Great news that they are opening in sept, now that the gap is widening hah.

its a new persistant cough though not an going one-or some kids would never go back

Yeah people can and will do whatever they want.

I know I'm lucky

I know teachers who don't want to go back yet.

I'm so lucky I get to choose.

'I know I'm lucky

I know teachers who don't want to go back yet.

I'm so lucky I get to choose

I, I, I

This is not about your children is it, this is about you.

Up to you, mine will be going back when they are allowed to. I have never considered homeschooling in the past and that hasn't changed.

My dc all need to go back for different reasons, so yes, as soon as the schools reopen to their year groups, they will be there, back in their classrooms. By the time September comes round they will have been home for 24 weeks, they are absolutely ready to go back now, they need an education, a chance to meet friends and one in particular, their mental health is shattered, so they need a bit of normality.

Two things to consider (1) your children could be offrolled so you will need to reapply to return them to state education with no guarantee of a place at their current school and (2) homeschooling can be very effective but offers a different approach so they could have gaps in their education as per the National curriculum (nb possibly they will have a better education, but won't be identical) teachers cannot be expected to fill in the gaps as kids come back into the system in dribs and drabs.

If you want to homeschool until the end of primary, or at least commit to the end of the academic year then fair enough but it's hard for kids to rejoin, I know because I did this (very different reasons of course).

I’m in Scotland with a 5 year old starting in August. I would send her in full time if I could. The benefits far outweigh the risks. Our school won’t even consider childcare arrangements for younger children so knowing my luck she’ll be in school the opposite days to her younger brother who is in private nursery.

@fromdownwest you've hit the nail right on the head there.

You may be running the risk of losing your child’s place at their school if you do that. Be careful.

The system works differently in Scotland. Every child within the fixed catchment of a school can claim their place there. There isn't an application/waiting list system like there is in England.

Dont know if you are watching the snp update. They are now saying they plan for school to go back full time in august. Provided there isnt an increase in cases.

Each to their own but I don’t really agree with the “my children are happier/ learning more being at home”...I think it’s a tiny proportion of children who don’t benefit from a school environment, that plus the “kids adapt” bollocks I’m not buying. I really worry for children from toddlers to teenagers, they are paying the price. If people want to keep their kids off fine but I don’t expect the school to support the home learning aspect alongside a full time running school.