Page 4 | To think students above Y9 of critical workers don’t really need to be in school

Feelingsosadandguilty · 2021-01-28T08:14:04+00:00

Just that really. Work in a school and the numbers of students this time around is crazy. Looked at the numbers yesterday and many are years 10 & 11. We regularly get calls from parents of the older year groups wanting a place as their child’s friends are there so they would like a place. Yes there are a few cases where they may really need that place for personal reasons but surely a 14/15 should be able to stay home. The message just doesn’t seem to get through that you should only send you child to school if you really have to not for a social with their friends. The abuse we are getting for advising this is unbelievable.

Belladonna12 · 28/01/2021 17:25

The schools are open for children who need to be looked after or vulnerable children . They aren't open so the children can chat to their friends . Ultimately the more children who are at school, the more likely cases will increase and the longer it will be for schools to open for everybody. My DD communicates with her friends quite a bit during the day, and obviously interaction by teams too. Obviously she would like to see her friends in person but so would everybody else. Why do some parents think that only their child's well-being or education matters?

Original poster

Feelingsosadandguilty · 28/01/2021 18:18

@Belladonna12
Exactly what I have been trying to say, obviously very badly Much better worded that my attempt. Thank you

OP posts:

Babana123 · 28/01/2021 18:28

@RubyandPearl

School is more than just childcare though surely???

Not currently.

In many secondary schools the students going in will not see a teacher at all. They are in computer rooms on zoom/teams. Only support staff sat at the front.

Support will be minimal as 2m social distancing is recommended.

Some parents think there is extra support in school. There is not. It is babysitting pure and simple.

ilovesooty · 28/01/2021 18:34

@Hotcuppatea

I thought we put this shit to rest a few weeks ago.

You have no idea what the personal circumstances of these families are or why they are asking for places for their children. Keep your nose out.

If she works in a school how is keep your nose out appropriate?

Rowenasemolina · 28/01/2021 18:40

It’s hard to sort out genuine from fake. I agree in principal, no secondary aged child should be in school. But while home alone, although not ideal, Is acceptable, home with an unreliable and bullying sibling is not. I have a year 10 in, because his year 9 brother has ambushed him, bitten him, pulled his hair when he’s trying to work, etc. Now year 9 boy is at home and gentle, kind year 10 boy is in school

MissMarpleDarling · 29/01/2021 00:34

Agree I got a 13 year old with SEN who stays home all day when I'm at work and manages to do all the homework (i get emailed if he misses anything). His school said send him in but I turned it down.

MissMarpleDarling · 29/01/2021 00:39

If he says he is lonely or anything I will send him in he's not totally neglected.

Lockdownbear · 29/01/2021 00:51

Define - vulnerable?

There seems to be a heck of a lot of teens especially going missing. Almost every day a kids are popping up on FB, missing with appeals for help.

Annabell80 · 29/01/2021 00:58

I don't believe you know the circumstances of every single child in the school. I know for a fact that my children's school don't (because if they did they wouldn't have questioned my daughter about her sleep and homework arrangements among other things).
My children are both in school as we both work out of the home and for various reasons it's much better for them to be in school.
My Y8, who's autistic needs the routine and support. My Y10 fell behind in last lockdown and struggles not to get distracted at home.
Last lockdown I was on maternity leave so kept them home. Absolutely horrendous affect on my autistic daughters mental health.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 29/01/2021 02:21

YANBU. I also work in a school but we've been really strict about who can get a key worker place.

Someone on MN the other day said she sends her 16yo in despite working from home because it's hard to get him to do remote learning so basically the teachers have to parent for those who are unable to

Ginfordinner · 29/01/2021 13:28

Someone on MN the other day said she sends her 16yo in despite working from home because it's hard to get him to do remote learning hmm so basically the teachers have to parent for those who are unable to

I don't think the is fair.
There have been many posts on MN from posters whose managers have complained that the poster in question isn't giving their job their full attention because they are having to supervise their DC's home schooling. Not every 16 year old is biddable and does what they are told.

It's a fine balancing act, and I'm thankful that DD is at university and I don't have to tell her what to do.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 29/01/2021 13:30

@Ginfordinner a 16yo absolutely doesn't or shouldn't need supervising with school work. And they shouldn't be increasing the risk of infection spreading by sending their child into school because them being at home is an inconvenience rather than a necessity

Ginfordinner · 29/01/2021 14:07

I know they shouldn't @JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows, but unfortunately some do.

My friend's dyslexic son's teacher rang her the other day to say that he hadn't logged into 10 lessons that week. She has to make sure he logs on at the right time or he just won't. Apparently he really doesn't care about his education, and my friend is so frustrated about it.

Belladonna12 · 29/01/2021 14:51

@Ginfordinner

I know they shouldn't *@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows*, but unfortunately some do.

My friend's dyslexic son's teacher rang her the other day to say that he hadn't logged into 10 lessons that week. She has to make sure he logs on at the right time or he just won't. Apparently he really doesn't care about his education, and my friend is so frustrated about it.

I think it's pretty pointless trying to force a 16 year old to work if they don't care about their education and it's certainly not a good reason to send them to school and increase the risk of infection. If they don't want to work they won't work regardless of whether they are in school. Your friend needs to convince her son that education is worthwhile rather than trying to force them as it won't work.

Ginfordinner · 29/01/2021 14:55

Believe me, she has tried.

Devlesko · 29/01/2021 14:55

Very few should be in school, they didn't really close.
Perhaps they finally will if cases rise.

Belladonna12 · 29/01/2021 15:09

@Ginfordinner

Believe me, she has tried.

I'm not saying she hasn't tried. I'm saying that it is the only option and even if it doesn't work it is not a good reason to send them to school and increase the risk of infection.

bjjgirl · 29/01/2021 16:23

My children would self motivate and log on etc but the length of time home alone would not be acceptable- my shifts are 10
Hours long and I would not leave my children alone that long. School breaks this up.

My role is not suitable to have the children present when working from home, which is why despite me working from home one day a week they go in full time.

chinateapot · 29/01/2021 16:26

It’s worth bearing in mind that many keyworker days are 12 hour shifts or more (GP here and that’s certainly true for us as well as many others.) Plus commuting time. 14 hours a day 5 days a week plus is a long time for even a year 10/11 to be alone for. My own 13 year old is not in school but hates the days neither of us can work from home.

InTheDrunkTank · 29/01/2021 16:43

The thing is if your 16 year old is too lazy and unmotivated to do home learning what do you think will happen if they want to go to uni? Do they expect uni lecturers to chase them out of bed and check if they're doing their revision for finals? (Although knowing some parents they probably do expect that).

Fembot123 · 29/01/2021 16:55

I work at a secondary and it’s not too bad, the KS4 kids that are in have been told to come in by HOYS for not engaging with lessons but the majority of kids are KS3

Ginfordinner · 29/01/2021 17:48

I'm not saying she hasn't tried. I'm saying that it is the only option and even if it doesn't work it is not a good reason to send them to school and increase the risk of infection.

You are right. My friend has no intention of sending her DS back to school unless the school says he has to go in. I was making the point that there are some 16 year old who are either not emotionally mature enough or motivated to do any work at all if they aren't at school.

Ginfordinner · 29/01/2021 17:49

@InTheDrunkTank

The thing is if your 16 year old is too lazy and unmotivated to do home learning what do you think will happen if they want to go to uni? Do they expect uni lecturers to chase them out of bed and check if they're doing their revision for finals? (Although knowing some parents they probably do expect that).

My friend's DS has no intention of going to university.

Belladonna12 · 30/01/2021 16:12

@Ginfordinner

I'm not saying she hasn't tried. I'm saying that it is the only option and even if it doesn't work it is not a good reason to send them to school and increase the risk of infection.

You are right. My friend has no intention of sending her DS back to school unless the school says he has to go in. I was making the point that there are some 16 year old who are either not emotionally mature enough or motivated to do any work at all if they aren't at school.

It's not necessary to do with the fact that he is not at school though . Not all 16-year-olds concentrate when in school or do much homework. You can't really force them to concentrate or revise if they are not interested.