If you don't want your child to go back, homeschool them.

[Mrgrinch]

I've seen so many people on here ranting about how they don't think the schools should open. Many even saying they won't follow any other rules anymore if they do.

AIBU to think they should just homeschool their DC then?

Do they not realise how badly this is affecting so many children and families? Do they not realise how many children have been having no education at all? Some parents are at breaking point trying to keep their jobs and make sure their children are doing some school work.

Homeschooling was always an option, even before covid so if you are so concerned then unlist them and provide their education yourself. We can't stay home forever.

So because I worry about the death or illness of my DC's, teachers and other staff, they should fuck off and leave?
You do know a 16 year old with no underlying health issues died this weekend right?
Sorry but no. My two will go back when it's safe for all.

@Tiktokersmiracle

So because I worry about the death or illness of my DC's, teachers and other staff, they should fuck off and leave? You do know a 16 year old with no underlying health issues died this weekend right? Sorry but no. My two will go back when it's safe for all.

That's your opinion and you have every right to think and act as you wish.

I just want those who are of the opposite opinion and want their children in school, to have the ability to make that choice too.

As with everything, there isn’t a one size fits all situation here. I want mine to return to school ASAP but totally get that others in higher Covid rate areas may feel differently.

How about giving parents whose children are currently at home the choice about whether their children return yet?

But they’re not likely to be hospitalised with Covid anyway, generally speaking.

Also, our county is one of the highest regions in the country for increases in infections, which is a little concerning.

Oh yeh thats right, only the 'healthy' should be entitled to an education but those children who are vulnerable themselves or have family members who are vulnerable should just be deregistered and lose their school place.

Like everyone else on here has been bleating for weeks 'I am not a teacher' so why should i be expected to provide an education to my child whenever it is not safe for them currently to return.

The shielding children do not need to attend that is fine, but there has been no thought given to the siblings of shielded children being allowed to stay at home for the period of shielding without losing their school place (in some cases.)

There should have been an option where those with specific clinical needs could temporarily suspend their school place and be able to home educate at the parents' responsibility. School to provide the overview of content and parents responsible for the rest.

Other than vaccinating teachers, all the other measures usually suggested compromise quality or quantity of learning and children of all ages have suffered enough.

Cases fell significantly in the November lockdown despite schools continuing. Yes some did face significant disruption, but that was not a default for all schools.

All children need to be given the opportunity to get back to school ASAP. (And parental discretion to decline if clinically necessary)

Some faced significant disruption to their education due to lack of mitigation measures but fuck-it, let’s do the same again with no changes, is an odd position to take if you are concerned about quality and consistency of education.

@BogRollBOGOF

There should have been an option where those with specific clinical needs could temporarily suspend their school place and be able to home educate at the parents' responsibility. School to provide the overview of content and parents responsible for the rest.

Other than vaccinating teachers, all the other measures usually suggested compromise quality or quantity of learning and children of all ages have suffered enough.

Cases fell significantly in the November lockdown despite schools continuing. Yes some did face significant disruption, but that was not a default for all schools.

All children need to be given the opportunity to get back to school ASAP. (And parental discretion to decline if clinically necessary)

No, these children are as entitled to an education as any other child despite their clinical needs. So no it should not be the parents responsibility to educate them at this stage. It should be up to the government to ensure these children receive a suitable education from home. Otherwise we end up with a system where only healthy children receive education and after everyone has gone on about the widing of the gap in education why should these children be allowed to fall behind purely on the basis of something they themselves cannot control.

The whole of society can not be shut down once the vaccines have been rolled out to protect those who are shielding or anxious. If you want to stay at home, keep your kids at home then please do. However the whole of society needs to function. Children need an education and to mix with their peers. They are not at significant risk from covid, please look at the statistic world wide.

There should be a real option to temporarily homeschool with the support of the school and keeping the child's place.

That way class sizes are reduced and there will be better social distancing in school. And those children and families who are high risk can stay safe. It shouldn't be an one or the other approach.

Or an alternative option is the government open schools safely with mitagitions in place so these clinically vulnerable children can also attend in a 'safer' (we all know it won't be completely covid 'risk - free') environment and benefit from all that entails. So many times on here there has been discussion about socialisation of children with their peers, mental health etc, but it seems children with clinical needs don't also need all these things ?

@alfieum

The whole of society can not be shut down once the vaccines have been rolled out to protect those who are shielding or anxious. If you want to stay at home, keep your kids at home then please do. However the whole of society needs to function. Children need an education and to mix with their peers. They are not at significant risk from covid, please look at the statistic world wide.

Totally agree.

@PurpleDaisies

The whole point of lifting lockdown gradually is to see what difference it makes

Sending all children back to school at once is not lifting the lockdown gradually. It’s reckless madness.

I think total reopening is reckless, too.

They should start with just some year groups, and gradually widen the range when the impact of limited reopening is known.

I also think teachers should be high priority for vaccination. It seems daft to vaccinate a 50yo who is WFH and risk exposure of teachers to the virus. Mind you, I think retail staff should be vaccinated too, as they risk exposure in the workplace.

Year groups are not mixing at all with different year groups. If they are required to pass in the corridors (they aren't usually as lesson times are different for each year group to prevent this) they wear masks. They also have staggered start and finish times.

Haha!! No. Plan v reality! It sounds highly organised on paper doesn’t it?

Year groups are not mixing at all with different year groups. If they are required to pass in the corridors (they aren't usually as lesson times are different for each year group to prevent this) they wear masks. They also have staggered start and finish times.

This is absolutely not the case in a single school that I know (I teach secondary, have friends or family in another 2 secondaries and 3 primaries).

I actually agree that schools need to open up for all year groups as soon as possible. But talking absolute bollocks about covid reduction measures doesn't help anyone. Parents should have the right to make a choice, and keep their child off until after Easter (with no penalty) if they wish. However, that choice should be informed by what is actually happening in their own child's school, not what the prime minister says should be happening, nor based on posed photos in the newspapers.

I agree 100% with you OP.

We need to put as much effort into getting children back into school an do everything we can to help them catch up with the year of missed education as we have with hospitals.

We can't afford to waste another year in this hold positions letting children be failed in education. The mental health of everyone, we need to get back to living and we are going to have to learn to live with Covid and not hide in our houses.

Do they not realise that even more companies are going to close permanently and more people are going to be unemployed and living in debt and poverty.

I actually agree that schools need to open up for all year groups as soon as possible. But talking absolute bollocks about covid reduction measures doesn't help anyone.

This!
I am so sick of hearing that children aren’t mixing, that they’re wearing masks, that they are keeping their distance.

The reality is that they whip those masks off the minute that can, are sharing food and drink, are play fighting and mauling each other as much as always. Children DO NOT SOCIAL DISTANCE.

Just say it as it is, they might have staggered lunch slots in the canteen and play in different areas of the school from other year groups but other than that, it’s business as normal.

Open schools and accept the reality. Just stop the propaganda.

My 7 year old (in Europe) has been at school in a mask since September. They've had no class closures across our region, which is home to 4 million people.

"They are not at significant risk from covid"

How have we got to this stage in the pandemic and STILL people are wheeling this out? It is SO FAR from the point that I can't even begin to explain.

Im a bit surprised at how schools are going back in England. For the last year its been drummed into us the dangers of covid and now,, its very much "we have this under control because of vaccines". Its going from one extreme to other and putting total faith in vaccines. Im in NI and we seem to be taking a more cautious approach to schools returning..

Agree

I sort of agree. I want schools open but if you don't want to send them, that should be OK too.

I do think that teachers should be vaccinated NOW despite their ages.

100% agree. Schools should be going back and am delighted they are