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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

322 replies

collageofphotos · 01/08/2020 10:34

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 Hmm) 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...

OP posts:
mrpumblechook · 01/08/2020 12:22

But opening schools isn't just a short term economic fix to get parents back to work. It's about the future too, it's about our children's entire lives. I feel desperately sorry for a lot of industries at the moment, but if the government prioritises pubs over my children's education long term, I'll be fucking furious.

That's how I feel.

ilovesooty · 01/08/2020 12:23

They'll probably open regardless because Johnson has banged on relentlessly in PMQs about it.
However it might depend on local infection rates and all you can probably say is that the plan is to return in September. It might become clearer during the month.

Frazzled2207 · 01/08/2020 12:24

I bloody hope they open. But having had the new GM local lockdown sprung upon us just before DS’s birthday party I am not being specific about anything more than 2 days ahead. I told them recently “September, hopefully not definitely” and left it at that. Not buying anything until the week before.

Frazzled2207 · 01/08/2020 12:25

Ps I know there is speculation in the media but watching Boris and Chris Whitt’s yesterday they seemed pretty confident that they would open even if it meant sacrificing something else.

yorkshirecountrylass · 01/08/2020 12:26

Feel your pain OP I've had the conversation with my DS (7yrs) as to how he's been coping and how things might look come September. We're fortunate that he's quite pragmatic but was still less than thrilled at the prospects of school May open fully but it will look very different, it may open on restrictions or it may not open at all; if it does open don't be surprised if it closes again. Unfortunately whilst I feel for those who are reliant on school for childcare I still disagree with opening up schools purely for economic reasons, it has to be that schools can keep children safe too. It's not as simple as "don't want it then stay inside," it would be lovely if it was. We're also looking at the requirements for taking DS out of school and home schooling for a year which will be hellish with me working full time but a better option than putting him at risk. I think all you can say OP is that things are very changeable at the minute! And I certainly won't be buying uniform until the week before!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 01/08/2020 12:26

@JustFrigginNameChange

I hope to god they open, my child's education should not be sacrificed any longer so that a tiny percentage of people don't get ill (Don't want to get covid? Stay inside).

I'm fed up of it. And I've been working all throughout lockdown, full time, so I've not been able to do all the home-schooling other parents have managed.

Why is your child more important than others? Education. Can be caught up on, lives can’t be claimed back.

You do realise that those you claim should stay inside will be teachers, doctors, nurses, food workers, delivery drivers etc.

letsghostdance · 01/08/2020 12:27

It's also very true that schools not going back will negatively affect women in the workplace, however, if we're looking at that impact, the vast majority of primary school teachers are women too. So when infection starts spreading through schools, it's going to affect women as well. We can't catch a break, as usual.

MrsMariaReynolds · 01/08/2020 12:31

I think they will be open but the likelihood of them re-opening (especially in secondary) and returning to the style they are used to pre-Covid is unlikely. I have already told DS (about to be Y8) that he should prepare himself for the eventuality of having to wear a mask at school. If there's one thing this government has been consistent on throughout the Covid crisis is INCONSISTENCY and mixed messaging.

I work in a primary school and I know they are no more clued about what will happen at the start of September than anyone else is. A lot can change in 4 weeks. Let's just hope the changes are for the better.

labyrinthloafer · 01/08/2020 12:32

I've talked to mine, but they're older than yours, so they read the news anyway.

At primary age I'd have gone with the 'we don't know but teachers will be trying really hard' sort of line.

I've had to be honest as I am a bad liar. I've bought uniform but remain conflicted.

Oly4 · 01/08/2020 12:35

Just say the plan is for schools to open in September.
Why on earth would you want to increase their anxiety that they might not?
I think they will open

glitterfarts · 01/08/2020 12:36

Why are the government prioritising pubs and restaurants over children?

Why not open holiday care, before and after school activities and send children back to normal lives, including their sport, so parents can go back to work as usual, and leave the pubs etc for a few months more on a wait and see.

Adults can rationalise, children cannot.

Littleposh · 01/08/2020 12:42

Schools are going to reopen

CraftyGin · 01/08/2020 12:42

I am a teacher and we have prepared for major disruption when we go back. A valid scenario is that 7/8/9 come back as half year groups - one week in school, and one week learning from home. Because of option blocks, 10 - 13 would be in school full-time.

We have installed conferencing web-cams in every classroom, so that those students learning from home can join the live lesson.

We have demonstrated the system to students and parents and have received good feedback.

Viviennemary · 01/08/2020 12:43

I'd say nothing. If they ask say it's not been decided definitely yet. Which is true. Schools reallh must open. It's gone on long enough. Unless they intend to make lock down permanent.

Littleposh · 01/08/2020 12:43

Do people just not watch the news at all????

Apple1971 · 01/08/2020 12:43

As a secondary teacher, my feeling is that we will open in sept but that the plan for the whole school to be back in huge bubbles just won’t work and there will be a change of plan by Oct.

I hope the government (unlikely) are coming up with alternative workable plans for schools and families. Pupils need to be back in some way - even if it’s blended learning for a while. Closing schools again would not be good - but on the same note everyone needs to be safe.

I would say anything yet. We adults are all struggling with uncertainly - kids find it even harder to process. Plan for the best case and deal with the worst case if it happens id say.

Sallycinnamum · 01/08/2020 12:43

They absolutely will open and if you're not happy about it home school your children.

I am sick to the back teeth of posters on here saying school is not childcare and parents shouldn't send their DC back and we should be content with online learning until the pandemic is over.

My close friend is a senior therapist for CAHMS and says referrals in the last three months have skyrocketed.

Our DC need to return to full time education as soon as possible.

HildegardeCrowe · 01/08/2020 12:45

What an ill-informed post IceCream, I agree totally with JustFriggin. People like you would rather see society as we know it totally disintegrate because you’re in thrall to the fear of a disease which is very hard to catch and still less likely to kill you.

neutralintelligence · 01/08/2020 12:46

Can we call a general election if schools do not go back as promised in September, but pubs, restaurants, beauticians, gyms, foreign holidays, flights etc have been allowed. Really I think there should be some legal recourse against this government.

Apple1971 · 01/08/2020 12:46

@CraftyGin

I am a teacher and we have prepared for major disruption when we go back. A valid scenario is that 7/8/9 come back as half year groups - one week in school, and one week learning from home. Because of option blocks, 10 - 13 would be in school full-time.

We have installed conferencing web-cams in every classroom, so that those students learning from home can join the live lesson.

We have demonstrated the system to students and parents and have received good feedback.

Yes we’ve planned for similar. We have different schemes of work written for full time and every other week teaching. And have planned for teaching on teams which can be accessed from phones so hopefully more pupils can access.

As a teacher I want to be back so I just want our government to be planning properly and not ignoring possible problems and trying to scrabble to deal with them last minute.

Original poster
collageofphotos · 01/08/2020 12:46

@Littleposh

Do people just not watch the news at all????
What is this in reference to? My OP or?
OP posts:
Echobelly · 01/08/2020 12:47

I'm going to prepare kids for the possibility - my guess is they will open but they'll shut again by or after half term, unless the government adopts a policy of keeping schools open come hell or high water, which I also suspect is a possibility.

SaltyAndFresh · 01/08/2020 12:47

Please bear in mind that schools can only stay open as long as staff are well enough to work. You can demand all you like but if I get ill, I'll be staying home until I recover.

cansu · 01/08/2020 12:48

I think it is very very unlikely that they won't open. Government know this would be a very unpopular move. What may happen is that they open and then are closed as part of local lockdowns. I think this is the more likely scenario. I also wonder if they will reimpose other restrictions in order to keep schools open as long as possible. I can also see mask wearing being more likely in the future in schools.

Frazzled193736 · 01/08/2020 12:49

@Xuli

But opening schools isn't just a short term economic fix to get parents back to work. It's about the future too, it's about our children's entire lives. I feel desperately sorry for a lot of industries at the moment, but if the government prioritises pubs over my children's education long term, I'll be fucking furious.

Learning at home is a massive disadvantage to thousands and thousands of children. We can't keep doing that long term, even mixing part time school and home learning.

I agree. Yes the economy has to keep going but not at the expense of a whole generations education which will affect them lifelong. The gaps between the kids learning will be massive already when they return depending in how much homeschooling they have done and other factors. If they have to continue to be home schooled for a long time the consequences of this will not be good. For me personally, I dont think I can do it any more. My son caused me huge issues and although we did homeschooling every day, I dont actually think he learnt anything. My own mental health suffered and so did his. There is no way I can go through that again with him. My daughter was fab and homeschooling her was no problem. But she has regressed socially so is still negatively affected.