So many keyworker/vulnerable children at school this week!

[Crazyoldmaurice]

All I've seen on mumsnet for the past month is people yelling into the void that unless we close schools to all that the numbers will just keep going up and up. And unless schools close lockdown is essentially like trying to brush your teeth whilst simultaneously eating a bag of wotsits.

I live in SW London in a very affluent area with the average house price at 750k+

Out of the 75 of my daughters year group, 48 or more will be at school tomorrow and for the rest of the week. I'm assuming most of these kids are going to be classed as children to critical workers due to the demographic.

I've seen on other threads others reporting very high rates of those at school in previous lockdowns and predicted for this one too.

If kids are causing so much of the spread I just dont get how having such high numbers still at school is going to help to drastically slow it down!

I only want 3 days a week in school for my son as I only work 3 days. But they said 5 days or nothing!! I wonder if I can challenge it? I don't want to use the space if not needed 2 days a week.

Roseypink - no need for the 'end of'. We are not 12. I was asking a question, there seems to be an awful lot of speculation on here that's all. Have you worked there during lockdown? Surely changing packages is required also, such as reducing them as I mentioned. This isn't always available to do online. I am sure she doesn't just add the disney channel to peoples packages all day. Either way, it is not for anyone else to decide, if her employer requires her to work presumably she has no choice.

I'm same, I teach, DH isn't key worker. He's taking on lots of the home schooling and working in evenings to catch up.

Both mine are staying home, where it's safer for now. I'm not prepared to put teaching colleagues at risk. Teacher Covid rates are 3x the local rates, according to data released today.

Three times.

This lockdown isn’t really a lockdown, because so many people are still in the workplace. I think that’s being brushed under the carpet so that people don’t object to all the restrictions on leaving the house.

Three times isn’t particularly high compared to other occupations like health care, retail, security, factory work and transport.

Oh yeah, and that data was from start of autumn term.

Have you got actual data for those occupations?

It is on the ONS website. Healthcare workers is seven times as high.

I've just been told that for the class above my son there were 12 kids in today out of 30. Last lockdown there were 4 in.

And as I say, the school ALREADY had one of the highest take ups of key worker provision.

Personal who has told DH is a good friend and we know his personal circumstance and exact job role. He's completely and utterly taking the piss.

He didn't put kids in last time around...

I'm pretty pissed off tbh.

At my friends school 35 children attended during the first lockdown.
Tomorrow they are expecting 157 children

most of the children in my dds school this week fall into the vulnerable category rather than the keyworker category.

These threads are just depressing - you don't know who is in, and it's none of your business. Just look after your own kids. if you think you need, really need, the help of the school, then ask them.

@RedToothBrush

I've just been told that for the class above my son there were 12 kids in today out of 30. Last lockdown there were 4 in.

And as I say, the school ALREADY had one of the highest take ups of key worker provision.

Personal who has told DH is a good friend and we know his personal circumstance and exact job role. He's completely and utterly taking the piss.

He didn't put kids in last time around...

I'm pretty pissed off tbh.

I have put my child in this time, and didn't last time. Not one person in that school knows my life. It's really none of your business.

We had about 50% in school today. Class felt obviously more spacious than usual and the children now have the space either side of them free which is much better from a virus spreading point of view.
We had less than 10% of pupils on roll in during the first lockdown so it’s considerably more.
Vulnerable pupils make up the majority of the children in my class now. Vulnerable for many reasons. School is their safe place. We are trying our best to keep it safe for them and us.
The list of ‘critical workers’ seems longer for this lockdown, I’ve been told it does cover more.
Whatever, yes, our school is certainly a lot busier than it was during the first lockdown but thankfully less full than it was just before Christmas. Which is good as we are in an area with virus rates that are sky high per 100,000 currently.
Worried but happy to have a job (that I happen to love despite its many stresses).

You have to remember that the government have not locked down in the same way as the 1st lockdown and many businesses are open when they werent before so many people are having to work whereas they weren't previously.

@GloriaSass

most of the children in my dds school this week fall into the vulnerable category rather than the keyworker category.

These threads are just depressing - you don't know who is in, and it's none of your business. Just look after your own kids. if you think you need, really need, the help of the school, then ask them.

One of my best friends works at the school. I am worried for her. I am worried for the wider community given the increased transmission rate, high local rates already anf my parents who live in the area are vulnerable.

Is that acceptable?

A sharp reminder that this isn't irrelevant to others.

If one of the key worker bubbles bursts - which is more likely with more kids - then that takes out real front line key workers from their cruical jobs.

So yes it is my fucking business if there are lots of piss takers because of how it may affect so many others.

6 from DDs class in today but only 1 kid has both parents as key workers. The others have one nurse/doc parent and another parent ( all dads) are WFH is normal jobs. Other key worker parents are keeping their kids at home.

@PugInTheHouse

You have to remember that the government have not locked down in the same way as the 1st lockdown and many businesses are open when they werent before so many people are having to work whereas they weren't previously.

Its one of our really good friends who has put kids in. As in one of DH's best friends. They both work from home. He's not a key worker but has blagged it. By his own admission.

@redtoothbrush sorry that wasn't aimed at your comment, more about the posters questioning people who genuinely do have to go into work but someone has decided they are not important enough to warrant a school place. I was just saying that some people who may be considered non essential workers have no choice but to work out of the home to keep a roof over their heads. Equally having very young children and working in a vital role even at home may not be manageable for some. Senior school age should be fine.

The blaggers are totally out of order, I totally agree with you there. I don't know how they are happy to do this, it doesn't it right at all for so many reasons. I wouldn't want to take the risk or put anyone else at risk if we really didn't need DS2 to go in. If you know 100%, you know. There are some situations where people don't know though.

My DC’s headteacher had to send out a message asking parents to please consider any other childcare option other than school. Apparently they’d had a huge influx of parents requesting a place and they hadn’t expected it. I think about 30 kids went in last lockdown and I’m guessing it’s a lot more this time.

Its so fucking frustrating. I completely support people who have no other choice. Thats very clearly not the case this time around.

One of my friends works in management for the NHS. You know the ones, earns a six figure salary and has a fairly stress free jib. His wife is. SAHM to two girls in primary school. Both designated key worker children so both going to school. 🤷‍♀️
Lots of “key workers” about at the moment. Handy.

My son (had confirmed today) is going in because he's classed as vulnerable due to sen. He does not have an ehcp yet - it's in the works - but has adhd and cannot engage with home learning so school have used that condition and their discretion to allow him a place. I'm a full time university student and I'm back to online lectures next Monday but it's half of one and half of the other really, a whole host of reasons - no respite from his 24/7 care and he also needs the structure and routine of the school day, he's already behind so much, we're not safe at home 24/7 and when he's with me I HAVE to be watching him all the time so I couldn't get anything done. I pretty much had a breakdown in the last lockdown, school offered for him to go in the beginning due to the support he needs and I'd said it was fine but I didn't realise how quickly I'd burn out it was horrific, I also have serious health issues and I know I couldn't cope this time, last time I was just finishing up on some 2nd year assignments but I'm in the middle of my dissertation right now. Even if I didn't have another breakdown, I genuinely would have had to quit my course and I've only got 4 months left till I graduate with a bsc so it really is the best thing. So maybe some parents are like me with sen children and tried their very best last time but know they won't be able to cope/do their jobs/help their children engage with the online learning and survive basically. Of course there are some people who will take the piss, there always will be, as will benefits, as with masks, everything, but the people who genuinely do need the support for whatever reasons shouldn't be criticised for this. Its hard to know though

He's not a key worker but has blagged it. By his own admission.

So he lied to the school? The list is clear, either he is in a relevant industry/role or he isn't. Blagged isn't the word, lied and cheated is more accurate. Or perhaps his job is on the list and you disapprove of that being the case?

I am a teacher but wfh. I am expected to live teach most lessons. My kids are 5 and 7 and could technically stay home as they are good girls but they would be watching telly rather then working. I couldn't home school then. My other half is working from home but is on calls etc. We made the decision to send them in as I don't want them on the Nintendo or watching Netflix for 6 weeks straight. I know that some other parents are in exactly the same position but don't have the option of sending in a d how stressful that must be. My friend is a teacher but only works 2 days and is sending in full time. I think that is taking the mick

My Ds is at a school.of 270, first lockdown they had 20 children in, this time it's over 100.

@Whoopsies

My Ds is at a school.of 270, first lockdown they had 20 children in, this time it's over 100.

But "now" isn't another "then". This lockdown is different. Lots of things stopped last time (including the curriculum). House Sales, court cases, construction, to name but a few. Lots of people Furloughed.

It's different now. These things are all still continuing. Thus, many more people will be out of the home or wfh on highly sensitive issues.