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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:
Piggywaspushed · 01/08/2020 13:12

Pubs are really not all open and not all heaving despite what some of the MSM would have us believe. I can't see how closing them would make that much difference to transmission. It's a sticking plaster to make it look like something ahs been done. After all most of the kids aren't the ones going to pubs : they would be better off stopping teenagers form gathering in groups, having sleepovers , proms and summer camps (330 children and workers got infected at a camp in the US) but it is exceedingly hard to lock children and teenagers away (with the exciting bribe for them of fun free covid rules school!) without parental will , consent and action.

Ironically, it would be safest to open up schools with everything else in full lockdown. But there have been too many things relaxed all at once to properly measure effect.

Lelophants · 01/08/2020 13:12

Unless anything has been made official then I would stay as you are. I really wouldn't keep chopping and changing it. Kids have enough anxiety atm. It'll probably change again.
2 weeks before is enough time to discuss what might happen.

Annierose293 · 01/08/2020 13:14

They will still open regardless.
I'm absolutely dreading it. My child has underlying health issues (he almost died from a strain of flu), yet I have been told that if I don't send him I will be fined.
I've spent the past five months keeping him safe at home. We have literally only ventured out a handful of times as I'm so terrified as to how the virus will effect him.
I'm convinced he won't survive it.

CloudyGladys · 01/08/2020 13:18

If the schools can possibly reopen they will, but in some areas they may have to close again, wholly or partially, quite quickly.

What schooling looks like from September is going to vary by area, and closures will happen at short notice. As Chris Witty said, to open anything else will probably mean closing places that are open. I think this will be done locally rather than nationally though.

The alternative is to keep all schools closed until the virus is eliminated from the country or there is a vaccine.

Chevron123 · 01/08/2020 13:19

As others have said, I think schools will have no option but to reopen and then see what happens to infection rates and local outbreaks. I take the virus very seriously, but am reasonably reassured that transmission among younger children seems to be less likely than older children/adults.
DCs secondary is going back in year group bubbles (around 300 kids !!!) with little attempt at social distancing - no staggered starts as the majority of kids rely on public transport to get to school anyway. They have said however that they do not have a policy of fining parents that choose to keep their children at home ("but they will work with them to try and get the children into school"). I think that last bit is just to cover their backsides.
I think the scientists will be following the situation in Scotland very closely over the next 2-3 weeks.

Littlemeadow123 · 01/08/2020 13:19

I'd prepare for september start for now. If by mid-late august it is starting to look doubtful, then start preparing them for schools not opening.

labyrinthloafer · 01/08/2020 13:20

@Annierose293

They will still open regardless. I'm absolutely dreading it. My child has underlying health issues (he almost died from a strain of flu), yet I have been told that if I don't send him I will be fined. I've spent the past five months keeping him safe at home. We have literally only ventured out a handful of times as I'm so terrified as to how the virus will effect him. I'm convinced he won't survive it.
You should get advice on how bad the fine would be for you, what it would actually end up meaning for you, as you shouldn't feel forced.

Get some advice.

Personally if I got a token fine and not much other follow up, I'd be ok with that.

But obviously everyone is different.

CraftyGin · 01/08/2020 13:21

Schools will open, perhaps with fingers-crossed from all concerned.

What is bound to happen, with tracking/tracing, is that a member of the school community will test positive.

If that happens, the school will close for deep-cleaning for a couple of days, during which time it would be beneficial for the school to enable online learning.

If a teacher has to self-isolate, but are otherwise well, they will need to deliver lessons from home.

If a student needs to self-isolate, they will need to be able to connect to lessons online.

Original poster
collageofphotos · 01/08/2020 13:22

@Nitpickpicnic such a helpful post thank you

OP posts:
RubyWow · 01/08/2020 13:23

I don't want to have scarred lungs because you don't have the time to teach your kid their times tables.

I really feel for teachers and their concerns, I do, but can they fuck off with the sneering at parents who were struggling with home schooling? For many, WHILE WORKING FULL TIME AS WELL. If all you think school is about is teaching times tables then you don’t value your own profession very highly.

Staffy1 · 01/08/2020 13:25

The government did say not so long ago that no matter what happened in the future, schools would not shut again, which I think is incredibly stupid and irresponsible, but that's what they said...

ktp100 · 01/08/2020 13:26

It would be an enormous help if Boris would allow those of us who can keep children at home to do so without off-rolling them.

Anything to ease the numbers, really.

Sailingblue · 01/08/2020 13:26

The think schools will all reopen in September. How many will remain open is going to be the key question. I’d hope full time is feasible - mine has been in pre-school and camp with no outbreaks. However, I’m surprised they didn’t go for one week on, one week off or part-time for all as a first step, especially for secondary.

Piggywaspushed · 01/08/2020 13:28

Crafty , where will the kids be if the SI teacher is teaching from home?

ktp100 · 01/08/2020 13:29

@RubyWow I know plenty of parents who just couldn't be arsed. Most are now gobbing off about how the Government has ruined their child's lives by shutting schools and how vital education is. Hypocrisy at it's finest.

shallpoetwake · 01/08/2020 13:31

[quote ktp100]@RubyWow I know plenty of parents who just couldn't be arsed. Most are now gobbing off about how the Government has ruined their child's lives by shutting schools and how vital education is. Hypocrisy at it's finest.[/quote]
They probably see school as vital because they can't be arsed to make any efforts to educate their children themselves.

FrippEnos · 01/08/2020 13:32

CraftyGin

What is bound to happen, with tracking/tracing, is that a member of the school community will test positive.

Tracking and tracing is flaky at best.

If that happens, the school will close for deep-cleaning for a couple of days, during which time it would be beneficial for the school to enable online learning.

You really need to read the DfE guidance on this as this won't happen under the guidance as they more than likely won't close the school.

If a teacher has to self-isolate, but are otherwise well, they will need to deliver lessons from home.

So even if they are ill they will still have to do lessons? Plus all the other issues that have been discussed on previous threads.

FrippEnos · 01/08/2020 13:34

RubyWow

I really feel for teachers and their concerns, I do, but can they fuck off with the sneering at parents who were struggling with home schooling?

Just FYI. The majority of parents couldn't be fucked with home schooling.

Iamnotthe1 · 01/08/2020 13:37

The Government will open schools in September, regardless of the levels of infection at the time. They need to, both politically and economically, and were already willing to open them without significant safety measures in place. Any concerns about raised infection levels will be dismissed as the concerns about the lack of distancing, masks and extended close contact have been.

The only reason schools will close is if too many of their staff end up sick, Covid-related or not.

CraftyGin · 01/08/2020 13:37

@Piggywaspushed

Crafty , where will the kids be if the SI teacher is teaching from home?
They would be in school, watching the teacher on the big screen.
CraftyGin · 01/08/2020 13:39

@FrippEnos

CraftyGin

What is bound to happen, with tracking/tracing, is that a member of the school community will test positive.

Tracking and tracing is flaky at best.

If that happens, the school will close for deep-cleaning for a couple of days, during which time it would be beneficial for the school to enable online learning.

You really need to read the DfE guidance on this as this won't happen under the guidance as they more than likely won't close the school.

If a teacher has to self-isolate, but are otherwise well, they will need to deliver lessons from home.

So even if they are ill they will still have to do lessons? Plus all the other issues that have been discussed on previous threads.

I said “but otherwise well”.
ktp100 · 01/08/2020 13:39

@Annierose293 Can you off-roll your son and home school him for a while?

Piggywaspushed · 01/08/2020 13:40

I see...

That would still require cover so still a staffing issue.

flumposie · 01/08/2020 13:40

Schools will open in September. But are also likely to close or pupils sent home when bubbles burst. Unlike when I have coughs etc if I catch it I will not return until I am fully well enough to do so and will not be setting work whilst ill. Hell no. Also people seem to forget teachers were also working full time from home and home schooling their own children subjects they dont teach, so we know how difficult it was.

Inkpaperstars · 01/08/2020 13:40

I think it is a priority to open schools, and other things will go first before they give up on that. Pubs closing again, no mixing households indoors, no travel round the country, and limited outdoor groups, etc. If we are at the limit now of what we can do then something has to give before schools can reopen, but there are many things that can be changed before they postpone school reopening.

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