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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think kids will be back in primary school after half term?

153 replies

Malbals · 13/01/2021 19:09

What do you think? I’ve bee told by a teacher friend that primary aged children will be at school after February half term? I do hope so I feel so sorry for my children I just can’t give them what they need and feel like I am failing them
They are so sad and missing friends and routine

OP posts:
Scarby9 · 17/01/2021 11:23

As always, schools have to work as if government pronouncements, promises and deadlines are real, while also preparing plans b, c, d and e.

Maldives2006 · 17/01/2021 11:28

@juliainthedeepwater

Please calm down you are aware that there are millions of children all over the world who do virtual schooling and home schooling. They haven’t turned into disturbed and damaged individuals. Legally most schools are doing virtual learning and a lot of activities are on zoom. All the children I know are absolutely fine, in fact my children were far more traumatised by seeing me go off in the back of an ambulance with covid complications.

Schools will probably reopen around Easter time maybe earlier the infection and death rates are still sky high.

The hysteria needs to stop so that children who genuinely need help whether it’s emotional or financial can get it.

itispersonal · 17/01/2021 11:31

@Howshouldibehave

A lot of schools have put their own limits in! To cap at 50% of the class.

Schools aren’t allowed to cap class sizes-Nick Gibb was clear about this.

Schools own risk assessments, they can, and I think with all the governments other decision of 'schools discretion'. This is definitely where schools should be using their own discretion!
Delta1 · 17/01/2021 12:49

I absolutely agree with you @juliainthedeepwater as do the vast majority I would say . Virtual / home schooling comes a very poor second to the real thing in my opinion.

Taikoo · 17/01/2021 12:51

September.

Feenie · 17/01/2021 12:55

Schools own risk assessments, they can, and I think with all the governments other decision of 'schools discretion'. This is definitely where schools should be using their own discretion!

No, they can't. We were told absolutely and categorically that this was not going to happen.

TheHoneyBadger · 17/01/2021 13:01

Them4themselves have turned up I see.

Howshouldibehave · 17/01/2021 13:06

Schools own risk assessments, they can, and I think with all the governments other decision of 'schools discretion'. This is definitely where schools should be using their own discretion!

No, they can’t.

Aibu to think kids will be back in primary school after half term?
itispersonal · 17/01/2021 14:06

@Feenie

Schools own risk assessments, they can, and I think with all the governments other decision of 'schools discretion'. This is definitely where schools should be using their own discretion!

No, they can't. We were told absolutely and categorically that this was not going to happen.

Well jt is, dds schools have and they prioritised kids who attend, 2 key worker parents, only attend when parents at work and a 15 limit and I don't begrudge any schools putting the safety of its staff and pupils first!

Unions have called for the same as last time, a limit of 15!

itispersonal · 17/01/2021 14:09

@Howshouldibehave

That says should not , not, can not!

I'd say government CAN do one!

TheHoneyBadger · 17/01/2021 14:33

The government threatened court action against schools in the thick of the new variant soaring cases who tried to close a few days early remember.

Howshouldibehave · 17/01/2021 14:43

[quote itispersonal]@Howshouldibehave

That says should not , not, can not!

I'd say government CAN do one!

[/quote]
If the head tries to cap numbers, parents can just go to the governors, the LA or Ofsted and request they are given a place-the school have to option but to comply.

Washimal · 17/01/2021 14:47

It would be great to open schools up after half term. Really hoping that all vulnerable people will be vaccinated by then.

I wouldn't hold your breath. Dominic Raab was on sky news this morning and refused (repeatedly) to guarantee that there will be enough supplies for everyone who has the first dose to get a second dose. The chances of every vulnerable group having had two doses by Febuary half term are slim to none.

itispersonal · 17/01/2021 14:58

@Howshouldibehave

A lot of parents at dds school are accepting of this cap and understand it! Some children have had their place rejected, it was even mentioned in the newsletter!

Nowmum43 · 17/01/2021 15:02

Get vulnerable school staff or staff that are worried vaccinated and get children back in to school as soon as possible.

Carlislemumof4 · 17/01/2021 15:02

@juliainthedeepwater

I really, really hope so. British children have been treated abysmally throughout this and as parents we need to keep shouting about the horrible impact this is having on them. They do not have voices to be heard. Each week they miss at school is a deep shame on our government. (And tbh on the people calling for schools to remain shut longer than they know to be necessary.)
@juliainthedeepwater Could not agree more with this, schools must be the first to reopen. And quickly.
BooksAreNotEssentialInWales · 17/01/2021 15:11

@juliainthedeepwater couldn’t agree more. It’s appalling how children have been treated and I am looking forward to listening to the decision makers trying to justify it once the hysteria dies down and the damage becomes more evident. Did not people read about the declining standards, how online learning is a poor substitute, the abuse, neglect and loneliness. Allowing children to be collateral damage will be a scandal that haunts us for a long time to come and people who have encouraged this are complicit especially teaching unions. Study after study shows children are not massive transmitters.

Maldives2006 · 17/01/2021 15:21

@BooksAreNotEssentialInWales I really hope you’ve been protesting this loudly over the 1000’s of special needs kids who’ve suffered a substandard or been denied an education for years. Not forgetting the kids who have no choice but for virtual or home education due to where they live.

Howshouldibehave · 17/01/2021 15:25

@TheHoneyBadger

Them4themselves have turned up I see.
@TheHoneyBadger

I think you are right!

TheHoneyBadger · 17/01/2021 16:03

The sudden rash of posters singing from the same hymn sheet is a dead giveaway. Also the Rita skeeter level of sensationalist turns of phrase.

Surprised they didn't descend sooner

peak2021 · 17/01/2021 16:12

OP you cannot do much about missing friends but you can have routine for your DC.

I maintain my remarks earlier made that there will be children back in school before Easter. Not sure about straight after half term though.

Ceara · 17/01/2021 16:12

Agree re vaccinating vulnerable or worried teachers. But that doesn't help the vulnerable (but not CEV) parents. The parents won't get the jag for ages...

Trinidadqueen · 17/01/2021 16:15

I think after half term. Infections are dropping, vaccinations are being carried out at top speed. I am confident the schools will be back after Feb half term.

Nowmum43 · 17/01/2021 16:23

@Ceara

Agree re vaccinating vulnerable or worried teachers. But that doesn't help the vulnerable (but not CEV) parents. The parents won't get the jag for ages...
No and that's difficult but vulnerable families could opt to keep children at home and not be fined. Sadly there's not much we can do about vulnerable people in homes.