Schools and public transport

[Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]

My eldest two both take public transport to get to school. One a 20 min train journey, the other a 15 min train in the opposite direction then a 20 min bus.

I don't drive. Our youngest gets dropped at school 2 miles in another direction by OH in the morning and I collect them by bus, though we could just about walk it both ways if I bribed them and the weather was ok and I cancelled all work after 2.30pm

Is school travel "essential"?

Personally I would say no it's not. But as an education professional we have to say yes as legally at the moment your child has to be in school.
If they are in isolation, that's fine they get a y code on the register, if they are off because for example they have been in contact with someone, who has been in touch with someone with suspect virus bit have no symptoms them it is unauthorised.
Personally I don't get it as surely limiting social interaction would also mean school but not at the moment.
( This is from advice that was sent to our school this afternoon, but may have changed after I left at the end of the day and I refuse to open work emails until tomorrow 😁)

Really difficult to know what to do

I suppose there will just be school kids on the trains