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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools should not reopen in Sept?

711 replies

SusanFrimp · 09/08/2020 14:15

I think that schools should not fully reopen in September and instead be partially reopened to some years. It is just not safe enough to reopen yet. I'd say December at the latest for full reopening. If they can't reopen other smaller places, how can they reopen schools with 1000's of kids? AIBU?

OP posts:
Orchidsindoors · 09/08/2020 15:28

"This IS very serious. We know 3 families from DC school who've had Covid and 4 x other people who have died.
Please do not minimise this. The concern for many remains very high and while yes normality is needed it still doesn't come before safety for all"

People who want their kids back do minimalise it. Because their agenda is to get their kids back at any cost. They dont care that it will increase risks to the community or the vulnerable or other parents. They just want them back. Given the choice if they didnt have to work, I suspect most of them would put their children first and not send them.

ineedaholidaynow · 09/08/2020 15:28

@Sockwomble was that Primary or Secondary? As reports are beginning to show Secondary School age children do spread the virus, more so than Primary

Jihhery · 09/08/2020 15:29

The OP makes a perfectly fair point without rudeness. Seems that a lot on MN need a playground to go back to.

Many of you here are utterly vile.

drivinmecrazy · 09/08/2020 15:30

But education is not mandatory because it suits employers or workers. It's because it's in the best interest of the child.
Going back to receive an inconsistent and sub par education doesn't fulfill that brief.
When talking if secondary versus primary there is a huge difference. Bubbles do not and cannot work at secondary level due to the nature of the structure. Teachers cannot just teach one group and cannot keep to a tiny bubble.
Just not going to happen

Sockwomble · 09/08/2020 15:30

I don't work apart from caring for ds. Ds has been in throughout.

TeacupDrama · 09/08/2020 15:31

@ineedaholidaynow, according to most people the children were not social distancing in their bubbles and the teachers were on rotas so it was not the same teacher all the time, there is a little evidence worldwide of a few outbreaks related to schools but the vast majority of the evidence of schools that went back in may and June in various parts of the world was that it did not lead to any increase in transmission

katkit2044 · 09/08/2020 15:31

Oh come on, we have to try to go back to normal. Our kids need an education, it's damaging to their mental health if they are just stuck home all day: they need to get out and see their friends again and prepare for their futures. My dd is 15 and going into year 11 (GSCEs are on the rise) so she needs to go back.

FlySheMust · 09/08/2020 15:32

The schools shouldn't go back at all without better PPE and precautions for the safety of adults involved.

Madness to go back as it is planned. But schools will close when adults go sick and Boris will blame the teachers instead of himself. And the stupid will believe him.

TheABC · 09/08/2020 15:32

Where exactly is this impressive online resource that you speak of?

My son has had zero communication with his school since March. We have been pointed towards printed worksheets from twinkl and BBC online. We were lucky to have a working printer and home and a laptop I could set up for them. There's a lot of parents around without even that option.

I don't think a few worksheets and a 20 minute programme per day can adequately substitute for a trained teacher in a dedicated classroom. I have done my best, but I can't replace an entire school and all his classmates.On top of that, both myself and DH need to work. We don't have the luxury of furlough and doing both has nearly broken us.

I respect teachers and the job that they do. I reserve my fury for this corrupt shambles of a Government that can bung a billion to their mates and subsidise restaurants but won't pay an extra penny towards school costs for extra cleaning or work.

Sockwomble · 09/08/2020 15:33

ineedaholidaynow special school. Most are secondary age. The difference perhaps that our children don't mix with others outside of school.

IrishCream123 · 09/08/2020 15:34

[quote SusanFrimp]@Didthatreallyhappen2 One DC in Year 9.[/quote]
So no, I have a child going into y11. She needs to go back full time.

Jihhery · 09/08/2020 15:35

I don't work apart from caring for ds. Ds has been in throughout.

And your point? I take it he is vulnerable and couldn't stay at home?

TeacupDrama · 09/08/2020 15:35

Unfortunately @orchidsindoors there are those that minimise it ( sayings it's just flu or a conspiracy) but there are also those that greatly overestimate the risk too thinking that hundreds if not thousands of young healthy people die, when deaths of young healthy people from covid are very rare in fact much less likely than with normal flu while for older people ( over 60-70) it is worse and riskier than normal flu

LaurieMarlow · 09/08/2020 15:36

But education is not mandatory because it suits employers or workers. It's because it's in the best interest of the child.

Sure.

You know what else is in the best interests of the child? Feeding them and keeping a roof over their heads.

Education has previously worked in conjunction with employment to facilitate both of these things for the good of society. We can’t just renege on what education provides on the broader sense without enormous economic and societal problems. Which those advocating part time schooling just do not engage with.

Going back to receive an inconsistent and sub par education doesn't fulfill that brief.

As I’ve said before, thus far my child has gotten practically nothing. Almost anything is better than the ‘two worksheets a week, no feedback’ that’s been delivered thus far.

Staring down the barrel of the gun of a) serious economic instability because I can’t work and b) shit education provision for my child isn’t much fun, let me tell you.

Sockwomble · 09/08/2020 15:38

"And your point? I take it he is vulnerable and couldn't stay at home?"

It was in his best interests to be in school despite also being clinically vulnerable.

LaurieMarlow · 09/08/2020 15:39

Where exactly is this impressive online resource that you speak of?

Bitter laugh

Drivingdownthe101 · 09/08/2020 15:39

Jihhery I’m at home with an 18 month old. I sent both mine back in June when school reopened to their year groups, and will be sending them back again when it reopens again at the end of August.

Constanttaxiservice · 09/08/2020 15:39

I think people who think schools should not reopen should just de register their children and stop arguing for something for all children when we know this is causing high levels of distress/ mental health issue for children and teenagers which will be far reaching not to mention to huge gulf between those that can access technology and those who can't. I do not underestimate the virus in any way ( my family are all medics). However we cannot keep children off school. People who are worried can make the choice to shield and de register their children.

Inkpaperstars · 09/08/2020 15:41

Apparently, according to Prof Michael Osterholm, young children under 10 seem unlikely to be much of a problem being in full time education, but over 10 it looks like they not only get covid a lot but transmit it pretty well too. However, I don't think they can be kept off any longer without completley repeating the academic year. So I really hope they can make it work.

ineedaholidaynow · 09/08/2020 15:42

But many schools that went back in other countries had social distancing, small classes put in place, even Sweden which kept schools open had measures in place.

It will be very different in September.

Viviennemary · 09/08/2020 15:42

If people don't think it's safe keep your children at home. If teachers don't feel safe find alternative employment. Or else this is never going to end.

loulouljh · 09/08/2020 15:43

Please no. They have to go back. Children deserve an education. They are the ones who we will need to work for years to fund the NHS going forward. Parents need to work. The risk is miniscule. It was madness that they shut in the first place. If you are nervous keep your children at home.

ineedaholidaynow · 09/08/2020 15:43

Also people weren't meeting up as much inside with other households as they are now, which appears to be causing the rise in transmission at the moment.

Shopkinsdoll · 09/08/2020 15:44

Parker231
👏👏👏👏

DopamineHits · 09/08/2020 15:46

School should re-open except for exceptions. We know who is most vulnerable now. If a child has a morbidly obese parent, or lives with an elderly relative, or is from another vulnerable group they should have the option to HE if they want, but there's no reason for most kids to be at home in September. The minimal risk has to be weighed against the lack of socialization and formal education for the best part of a year.

This is a forum that was usually horrified when someone wants to take their kids out of school for 5 days for a holiday, now we want to keep them out of school for further months when there is barely any reason. I live in a coastal town and it's packed. People have given up any pretense at social distancing, particularly on the days when extra cheap food is on offer. We can't be almost cheek by jowl with strangers waiting for a burger one month, then say we can't risk the DC's getting an education the next.