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Original poster

We’re expecting 1000 kids!

119 replies

DBML · 21/03/2020 20:35

So, we are going to be a hub school for FSM and childcare.

We are expecting 1000 children in, due to all of the local schools sending their children to us, keeping one building open.

The children will not be learning it has been confirmed. It is child care only.

Please, do not use the school childcare services unless absolutely necessary.

OP posts:
Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 20:52

It’s a new school for me. I’ve not been there long, so I’m just going to do whatever I’m asked. But I’m scared.

I can’t imagine how some of the nurses and doctors feel. Thank you if you’re NHS or emergency services staff. I have a new appreciation for everything you do.

OP posts:
Legoandloldolls · 21/03/2020 20:59

I have 4 kids. Two have ehcps and one has a a disability socail worker. The eldest has just had his gcses canned so no point in any education for him. Thecseverly disabled one is in a SEN school which cant meet ratios ( he is in a class of 8) my 12 year old I need to teach. Dd is in reception so counting and reading I can cope with. What worries me is keeping my dd safe from her brother with ASD. Not sure weather to send the other two in just so I can safeguard them and their brother.

We normally get some days inna disability holiday club in Easter/ summer to break up the weeks. But theres no respite now. I cant send the disabled child anywhere.

No idea what to do or how I will cope for at least 3 months but after the GCSE news, education suddenly feels pointless

Nicknacky · 21/03/2020 21:06

And I was getting criticised by a poster last night for not sending my child as she thought that was safer than a friend looking after her while I work.

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:06

@Lego

Don’t send them in for an education. They aren’t going to get that.

Also, bare in mind some of the schools are mixing children from different schools who are not used to each other.

It’s a terrible time for all parents, but especially those with children with additional needs. But remember their health is more important.

OP posts:
ShastaBeast · 21/03/2020 21:06

The crazy thing is Keyworkers like medical staff and cashiers are more exposed so their children more likely to also be at risk and pass it round in school. Plus they’ve concentrated the risk.

Our school has 50 places but some will be part time. We were offered a place for SEN and will only do a day or two as the school can fit us around others. However we have symptoms now so should be immune after our isolation.

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:07

@Nicknacky

Only a crazy person would criticise you.

OP posts:
ShastaBeast · 21/03/2020 21:08

Oh and the SEN needs are more wellbeing related than educational. Otherwise I wouldn’t send them at all.

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:10

@ShastaBeast

Have they confirmed immunity??

OP posts:
DippyAvocado · 21/03/2020 21:12

You don't need to provide childcare for the FSM children unless they are also vulnerable pupils or meet the key worker criteria. Our FSM families are just coming in the morning to collect their food. Hopefully the voucher system the government talked about will be up and running soon. Hopefully you will be able to spread the timings of food being collected though, or that's a lot of people congregating in the same place.

Eggcited · 21/03/2020 21:12

However we have symptoms now so should be immune after our isolation.

But you have no way of knowing you have Covid-19, so unfortunately you can't rely on immunity, if immunity was even guaranteed. Sad

Lynda07 · 21/03/2020 21:12

I had to google FSM and found 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' and 'Female Seeking Male', amongst other things. It's OK, I now know it means 'Free School Meals'.

Sounds horrendous, op. You're a hero!

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:13

@Lynda07

That made me laugh so hard!

OP posts:
Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:14

School is open to all flying spaghetti monsters and any females seeking males.

May as well with these numbers ;)

OP posts:
giggly · 21/03/2020 21:16

I think we need to be aware that a lot of the kids with FSM will be coming from homes with little or no heating on during the day so school continues to be a sanctuary for them. So very unkind to expect them to eat and leave as a pp suggests.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 21/03/2020 21:17

Free schools meal available for all dc they apply too? How sad to think people can’t feed dc without them.

Thing is front line dc have to go somewhere so the parent can doctor, nurse, paramedic etc and you people looking after these dc are little hero’s in yourself

debbs77 · 21/03/2020 21:17

I know at least three people where one parent is a key worker, the other COULD stay at home (but not work) but are sending their kids to school.

Another friend, one teacher parent, one accountant parent already working from home. Son being sent to nursery

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:19

@giggly

I apologise if it comes across as unkind, but in this climate, unless they are appropriately catered for in small groups, it’s still probably safer for them to go home.

OP posts:
Fundays12 · 21/03/2020 21:24

Is this England? The criteria is to not tight enough. Scottish criteria is much stricter from what I have seen in documents but I have already seen parents complaining there kids should be included as they have very low level additional support needs. I am not being nasty when I say that as ds1 could go in under Scottish criteria due to his level of additional needs being so high but there is no chance I would put him in. The less kids the better in my view.

Original poster
DBML · 21/03/2020 21:25

Yes. English school.

OP posts:
ShastaBeast · 21/03/2020 21:27

There’s no test in existence to confirm immunity. Never mind getting the government to agree to test people. I have pretty strong symptoms and it’s pretty hard to avoid catching it from a family member. My ten year old has symptoms but very mild. The problem is the symptoms are mild, especially at first. Sore throat and slightly snotty nose are symptoms and how it started.

I’m hoping that kids can be tested, as well as keyworkers, so we can go back into the workplace/schools safely. I think it will slowly trickle back to normal like that.

underneaththeash · 21/03/2020 21:36

Where OP? How can they have done a decent risk assessment?

My son's secondary has less than 40 children going in and it has over 1500 pupils.

CheekyMango · 21/03/2020 21:39

FFS FFS FFS

FreakStar · 21/03/2020 21:42

We have 56 from a 200 pupil primary coming in!

BuzzingtheBee · 21/03/2020 21:43

Its probably down to selfish tossers sending dcs when they dont need to

manicinsomniac · 21/03/2020 21:43

What?!

I'm in a private boarding school of 290 and we are open for our own key worker's and vulnerable children as well as for those of the nearest 6 village primary schools and staff children. We were very clearly told that we will only be able to keep this service going if we don't exceed 20% of our own ordinary school role and that includes the children from the other schools. So no more than about 58 children from 7 schools.

Up to 20 may be able to board in desperate circumstances but we're trying to avoid that. Especially over the Easter holidays because it's just so sad for the children.