To prepare DC for the fact that schools may not open?

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It's now looking like full school re-opening is in doubt, unfortunately - I'm so torn about whether to be open with my DC (10 and 8) about this fact or just keep talking as though it's definitely all back to normal in September.

I'm leaning towards the latter, but wondered what others are planning to do? For context, one of my DC is desperate to get back to school, the other is absolutely dreading it, which makes things complicated...

It feels like it will be a huge shock to suddenly have to announce on eg Sept 1st (as last-minute announcements seem to be this government's specialty ) that it won't be happening after all, but on the other hand I don't want them to be worried for a whole month before we know what's actually happening...

[Rosebel]

It's fair enough to worry about it. You don't have to join the thread if you find it boring.

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@FelicisNox

‘like the rest of us’?! That takes me back to my school days, thanks for that. 😂

I think if you read the thread you’ll find there are lots of people willing to think this through and prepare for different outcomes...

[AdoptedAWholeLoadOfShit]

Both DS go to special schools. DS1 school sent letter last week explaining very well what the various scenarios could be by 24th August. I now have good information to adapt to explain what might happen when school is supposed to return. I think it helps when you have something to show them, even if they can’t/won’t read it.

There are 4 scenarios - 1. Return full time immediately, 2. Return full days but 2.5 days a week due to “bubble” rotation 3. Return part-time with part-time online learning and 4. Full-time home learning with a more organised structure to what happened before summer break.

There is absolutely no point in me relying on any one scenario to make it easier to explain. It’s out of my hands. DS know this because it’s been repeatedly explained for months. They’re being told to prepare for not returning but hope for getting back to their routine.

It’s not easy, OP you’re not on your own. There are millions of us having to do the same. Hopefully other posters can share their experiences so you can find the right approach for your children.

[Lamaitresse]

Why would you not prepare your children for a different outcome to the one they believe will happen? It’s always better to be open about this type of thing I reckon. They are old enough to understand.
My ds is 13, and already knows that it is likely he will only go back to school 2-3 days a week (we are in Belgium). It’s actually helped him to realise that he needs to put a bit of work in over the summer, seems that he’s starting to think a bit more seriously about school.
It’s all so up in the air at the moment, better for the children to understand why and what could potentially happen, then they can mentally prepare themselves.

[Ifyoudontlaughyouwillcry]

If they close my kids schools and keep pubs and restaurants open I WILL RIOT! I think schools will be open. (Hope)

[bemusedmoose]

I'm playing it by ear to be honest. I have 1 in primary and 1 in secondary. Both schools say they are open in Sept but honestly - i just don't see how they can cope. Primary has nearly 1000 kids, secondary has over 2000 - how they hell do you keep that many kids apart!?! Also the government aren't providing funding for the huge amount of daily cleaning so that's all coming out of the kids learning funds.

Rang the local council as son can't actually get to school come Sept - it's quite far on public transport, only one bus there in the morning and one in the evening. Council won't put on extra buses to cover the distancing required. The education dept at the council said its thrown the idea of bubbles out as its not workable yet both schools have told parents it's doing bubbles.... Council also said it can't find a way to safely open the schools and they doubt it will happen and to call back 2 weeks before term starts to see if they have come up with anything!!! The schools are saying 100% they will be back.

So I'm winging it. We'll just have a good summer and see what happens when we get to September. Prepared that oldest won't be going in as there isn't enough transport in the area to cope with running less than half full. Primary... Who knows!?

Boris is brilliant at arsing things up - oh look let's open pubs and shops but not schools. Oh to open schools we need to shut things down again.... I swear he picks his 'rules' out of a hat every day. Im not sure i even know the actual rules anymore! So just sticking to mask, 2m and only shop for essentials.

[llangollen11]

I think the government are desperate to open schools and they will. No harm in preparing children for the possibility that their school or their class may at some point have to return home if a child or teacher tests positive for the virus.

[Piggywaspushed]

Think it will take a long time before they get rolled out anywhere near schools, though rainbow. Just like teachers were never included in automatic testing. We got that the day before it then became available to the general public anyway!

[FluffyKittensinabasket]

Seeing as the next wave is forecast to start next month, I doubt that schools will go back.

[Danglingmod]

Bemusedmoose - I would plan for the fact that your son will be expected to get on his usual bus with the usual numbers of other students (whether they're in a different bubble or even a different school). Our CC has already stated they have literally zero money to be able to put extra buses on (and no capacity within the local bus companies even should there be any money).

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

‘ I work in education OP and we’ve been told that we are DEFINITELY reopening to the full school full time from September 2nd’

How does your place know this for certain?

I also work in a school. We are planning to open, but still waiting on government advice to make it certain.

Your place are jumping the gun a bit.

[Letseatgrandma]

@Callingallskeletons

I work in education OP and we’ve been told that we are DEFINITELY reopening to the full school full time from September 2nd

I don’t think the gov can afford to keep parents off any longer tbh, I don’t actually think they are that bothered what happens to the kids in all honesty but they need the parents back at work

I agree with the Emoji. There is no ‘DEFINITELY’ about anything at the moment. If the rates sky rocket, your area is in local lockdown or the government do one of their many u-turns, things will change.

We are all planning start back full time from September-that’s all anyone can say.

[LadyPenelope68]

There’s another updated guidance being issued to Schools on the 11th August, that might provide a few more answers, but then again is more likely just to make it all more confusing!!
frustrated teacher here

[LadyPenelope68]

I work in education OP and we’ve been told that we are DEFINITELY reopening to the full school full time from September 2nd

No school can make that statement, totally impossible. We’ve advised parents what the current plans are for reopening provided nothing changes, but have been clear in that there could be last minute changes.

[Marzipan12]

I'm just being completely honest with my 12 year old. The plan is school will reopen in Sept but due to rising infections this could change to part time schooling or home learning. I think it's best to be honest that there's a variety of outcomes in September.

[Piggywaspushed]

Honestly, not holding my breath on that one, given we never got our laptops.

[ineedaholidaynow]

@Piggywaspushed we got one laptop! Woohoo!

Regular testing in schools would be ideal, especially if the spit test can be proved to be reliable. But I bet schools would have to pay for them out of their current budget.

[Angrywife]

They will take their lead from you with regards to how they deal with it. Be very matter of fact and upfront about it. It doesn't have to be some huge reveal that you prepare them for. Chances are they'll have already seen the same social media/news reports that you have and have a good idea anyway.

I think a lot of parents can unwittingly make anxieties in their children worse by actively trying not to make them anxious. Be open, be honest and be matter of fact x

[Frazzled2207]

So just seen this in the guardian which is I think reassuring

Schools will reopen for all pupils in England, but local lockdowns could force some closures
Schools will reopen “for all pupils in all year groups” in England at the start of the autumn term but local lockdowns could force some closures, Downing Street has said.

PA Media has a write-up of the briefing to journalists. The prime minister’s official spokesman said:

You’ve heard from the prime minister on many occasions his absolute commitment to getting children back into school in September and that’s vital for their education and their development.

We are planning for all pupils in all year groups to be in school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term.

He added that “hypothetically” some schools might not reopen straight away “if there was to be a very specific localised lockdown that requires a single school to close”.

When asked if the prime minister agreed with comments made by Prof Graham Medley, a member of Sage, that pubs may be forced to shut in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission and allow schools to open, his official spokesman said:

Our approach is a localised one where you would assess the situation on the ground and take whatever steps were required to slow the spread of the virus.

More broadly we are committed to supporting the hospitality industry which has had a very tough time.

[labyrinthloafer]

I don't understand how it is reassuring? That just says 'we have put our fingers firmly in our ears about the potential problems', doesn't it?

[Piggywaspushed]

Local lockdowns INCREASE inequalities in education, especially since they seem to be focused in areas of higher deprivation. It doesn't reassure me either and nor do the outcomes of the Ofqual consultation just out which also says 'lalalalalala' for nearly all subjects.

[Frazzled2207]

I agree to an extent but it seems unlikely (at the moment) I think that the government will stop the planned opening of schools in September. How long they will remain open for is another matter entirely.

[Piggywaspushed]

There is literally no educational point in opening for an experimental few weeks and then playing the hokey cokey with some students in some schools or areas for the rest of the foreseeable future. hey ho. maybe not a debate for this thread.