To think that the ‘no bag’ school rule is ridiculous

[Mumtobe193]

So my DD is due to start primary school in September & I’m just really baffled by a school rule banning a school bag? I don’t know whether it’s something that’s come about in light of covid or if it’s just a school policy? But I just find it quite ridiculous. I’ve had to purchase a book bag with the school logo on which is solely for her reading books, class work and letters etc. Then I’ve to purchase a clear plastic folder which is to contain her pencil case with all her stationary, a packet of tissues, hand gel, a water bottle (disposable can’t be a reusable one for some reason) and her snack. I’ve heard nothing from the school about their policy on lunchboxes? But I have heard from other mums who already have kids at the school that they will be expected to bring their lunch in in a plastic carrier bag, and this is a rule that is apparently coming into play as of September. Also unsure whether she will need a bag for PE?

So when she starts school, she will be carrying a plastic folder with all her daily essentials in, her lunch in a carrier bag, plus a book bag. Would it surely not make a lot more sense for the children to just have a big school bag that they can throw everything into? Rather than carrying 3 separate items in and things getting lost/mixed up etc. I just don’t get it? Anyone else’s DC school have a similar policy? Why??

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion are you in Scotland?

Our primary school have said all children need to bring in pencil cases with their own stationary and glue stick which will stay in school in their tray.
Each child has a school back pack and always has done from YR to Y6

In my area the kids wear their PE kit to school on PE days. It's a polo and tracksuit. This makes so much sense to me, the children are comfortable, they don't have to worry about getting changed at school and they don't need to bring in the PE kit. I hate to see very young children looking so uncomfortable in uniforms. Also all these different bags sound crazy, one backpack could fit everything. Can the children not store a backpack under their desks? Are uk classrooms very small?

Covid risk assessment is to limit resources and movement of items between home and school like bags and books . Similarly they likely won't be sharing stationary, seats, musical instruments, some resources, tasting, doing touching activities, food making etc

My two are 16 & 18 now but book bags were normal even back when they were in reception. They were kept in trays at their desks. No room for other bags.

@Evanna13 yes uk classrooms are generally small

That's not very environmentally friendly at all. Covid's really made people put concern for the environment under a bus.

Our schools (Scotland) have the water fountains all taped up, too, so the pupils need to bring in their own water for the day. My son takes a medication that causes dry mouth. They also aren't doing hot school lunches, you have to bring your lunch in.

Thankfully, the primary schools here allow pupils to bring a bag in.

Sounds like mixed messages in that that still not sure what return to school will look like. I’m in scolamd and we refined last week. They may be looking at our schools for example?? We didn’t have to purchase anything but no school bags no pencil cases just lunch stuff and essentials to come in and out in a pe style draw string bag. It is due to no space in the school and Covid as well with stuff not coming in and out working well so far.

150 single use plastic water bottles a week per class! The school is contributing to fucking up the environment because they don't trust parents to wash up a reusable bottle each day?

My kids are back (scotland). You can bring a backpack, named water bottle and a snack. Water bottles being refilled by a ta. Children are not allowed to use water fountain. No pencil cases. Coats and bags still being hung outside classroom but staggered starts and finishes to reduce number of children in corridor. No changing for pe but uniform not necessary but most of the kids are wearing it.

150 single use plastic water bottles a week per class! The school is contributing to fucking up the environment because they don't trust parents to wash up a reusable bottle each day

Also potentially means each of tnise children is dragged to the shop every day to go buy a bottle of water.

Thats surely exposing the kids to an unnecessary risk daily?

It's very normal for primary school children to have a book bag and there packed lunch. Peg space is minimal and certainly nowhere near as much room for a big bag each.

@BigRedBoat

150 single use plastic water bottles a week per class! The school is contributing to fucking up the environment because they don't trust parents to wash up a reusable bottle each day?

Yes, but Covid! Covid is king.

@Evanna13 the wearing the PE kit to school thing sounds like a very sensible idea. I know my 4 year old DD would struggle a bit getting changed for PE by herself so to me that sounds like a great policy.

Also when I went for a tour of my DD’s school on the open day last year I didn’t think the classrooms were particularly small, but then they do have 30 children to each class so I can understand not wanting to have 30 bags under the desks of a primary school classroom, however each year group had a fairly large cloakroom allocated to them so I just kind of assumed their school bags would hang their with their coats and stationary would be provided in the class room, it’s all very c onfishng

Confusing* even 🙄😂

@Mumtobe193 I am sure that is what happened last year, but many things have changed this year, although as PP have said, schools that have already started in Scotland are seeing what works and what doesn't and are adapting their rules.

Remember this is new, schools are trying to follow the Government guidance (for what it is worth). I think the people writing the guidance haven't stepped in a classroom for many years and schools are having to try and fit what it says into actual reality.

There are no backpacks in foundation and key stage 1 in our school anyway, but from September it’s essentials only. Fabrics can potentially transfer the virus, and they’re not easy to wash every day to lower the risk. You’re lucky they’re allowing a clear plastic pencil case, honestly. It’s all school stationery in the classroom for us! Even PE kits won’t be kept at school for now, the kids have a set PE day on which they will attend in their kit the whole day.

I cannot fathom the various conflicting things sent in the letter for my daughter going into Y3. Especially as we will be doing the switch to packed lunch. Have said that we will use what we have around the house at the moment for the first couple of weeks and just see what happens and if we get into trouble. I am not comfortable with the idea of having to provide all food and drink in something disposable, including the bag it's carried to school in. If I could afford that then I would probably pay for a school dinner...
Another wierd one is no thick winter coat, but they would prefer they are given a fleece and a separate thin coat...

@jillandhersprite that might be because they are having to put their coat on the back of their chair rather than hanging it in the cloakroom, so might be too big to put on the chair. They are possibly trying to avoid the scrum that is a school cloakroom.

A carrier bag/zip lock bag means they can lay the food out on the bag like a cloth
But then they'll be putting their food on a surface that might be contaminated as the bag will have been carried/in a car/on a bus seat/on a school trolley.

I got annoyed with book bags. Only good if you drive to school, I used to turn up a big bag and decant book bag lunchboxes and hats/models /all other rubbis they come out holding into that and carry home. Then for dc3 sent a rucksack in from reception.

It has a sunhat and glasses in (pac a mac/gloves and wooly hat in other seasons) an afterschool snack, and space for books, water bottle on the side. He can scoot with it easily, didn't ask fault like a book bag. Also currently has a snood thing for a face covering on incase we stop off at shop on way home (in school holiday club).

You could fold up a canvas bag for life type bag into book bag and then carry everything to and from in that.

Evanna13 they don't have their own desks. About 6 children usually share a round table.

@Polkasquare but this won't be happening in most schools now, as they all need to be forward facing where possible.

We are in Scotland and my primary school aged nephew started last week and has to take lunch in a disposable clear bag too, everything needs to be disposable. No cool bags allowed.

Knowing my daughter and most of her classmates - a fleece/hoody/extra layer and coat hanging on back of chair will cause more chaos than just 1 coat on the chair! We have enough drama about the right sort of coat - now it's going to need to be the right hoody and the right coat - plus whatever we get now will be wrong by October half term!