Why are we not given a choice to temporarily withdraw children from school?

[zefstar76]

The petition to close schools has over 423,000 signatures (and climbing rapidly) that is a huge amount of parents that are able and willing to withdraw their children from school. Surely allowing these parents to remove children if they choose to would limit the spread until the NHS is in a position where it is not overwhelmed by the usual winter flu/vomiting bugs.

It's just a few more weeks until the Easter holidays, perfectly happy to have the children at home with me until then, how is it any different to the summer holidays? It's seems like a sensible idea to be given the option and I'm sure many others feel the same as I do, so what can be done?

Actually you make a good point. I think it would be better to keep as many children off school as possible, and I would hope that in the current climate that would not incur a fine.
Some children at my school have already been "self isolated ", and although some staff scoff, I think if I had dc still at school, I might do the same. Why risk it if you don't have to?

It might be worth contacting the local authority/ head/governors to see what their position is.

My school will support our decision of we choose to take ours out. I spoke to the Head earlier who said just let them know, no fines etc.

I think I’m going to. He’s at an independent school so no fines though.

Just take your child out. I very much doubt a fine in this sort of situation.

Who will look after the children should schools and nurseries close? In Italy and China it was the grandparents. You can’t close schools without a wider curfew and plans in place to compensate workers who don’t get sick pay.

Education welfare officer here. Everyone has the choice not to send their children to school. You have to take the decision that you feel is best for your family and circumstances. I've spoken to many parents today who are keeping their children off school with very genuine reasons. Ultimately
It may not be authorised but I wouldn't want to be the ewo standing up in court justifying why I had prosecuted people during a pandemic. I doubt our solicitors would take most of the cases.

@hubblebubbletoilandtrubble Thank you for your wise and calm words.