Why only primary school going back?

[Mummypig2020]

Just that really, why do they only want to get primary school back?

[Mummypig2020]

What about pre schools? Dd starts school in September and I’m really worried

[CupCupGoose]

In northumberland there is a 3 tier school system. First school goes up to year 4. If years 6s are going back for transition, does that mean year 4s in first schools will go back too do you think?

[TeddyIsaHe]

It’s far more important to get young children back into a routine. They don’t fully understand what is happening, and it’s a huge change of life.

Yr 10&11 can continue working from home, studying etc. And it looks like they’ll be back in July anyway.

[bigchris]

I'm surprised anyone is surprised about what he said , it's basically what every one predicted !

[Hadenoughfornow]

I have a YR child plus Y3.

Its my YR who has found this whole situation the most difficult.

He is the hardest to support him with his learning and its pretty difficult to work with him at home.

Its not quite the same with my Y3 child. She is a lot more independent & she can sit beside me and do schoolwork whilst I work. She also understands things a lot better and is coping better emotionally.

[SpottyBrolly]

He did say phased so maybe all of primary in by the end of June in some form. I'm guessing they're starting with R & Y1 as children have been out of school for a long time and will need to resettle, and Y6 to enable some form of transition time.

[Redwinestillfine]

It's not a given they're going back. The message was very much this is the earliest date they will IF things move in the right direction....I have a year 1 child. I have no intention of sending him in at the moment, if things are significantly different by 1 June I will reassess but if it's just for SATs prep then I will do that from home

[Keepgoing88]

What about nurseries ?

[Discobar]

@mummypig2020 - what are you worried about?

[farfallarocks]

I don’t think it’s gone far enough, I know teachers are anti but all kids need to get back to school ASAP and they don’t need to social distance.

[HatRack]

What about people who CAN go to work but have kids in yrs 2-5? Will they risk losing their employment?

[AllianceOfCorcles]

It’s all conditional anyway and given the VE Day celebrations I expect there will be a spike in a couple of weeks and then they’ll decide not to open schools just yet.

[Itisasecret]

Year R and 1 will be because of phonics and reading.

[Sandybval]

Year 6 makes sense, they are more likely to adhere to at least most aspects of social distancing, it also seems more unfair for them to have had potentially 6 plus months off, and go straight to secondary school. That's scary enough anyway, and I know most would cope, but if they can accommodate it that sounds like a good idea.

[UtterFabulousness]

Mine are in a 3 tier school system- first, middle and high school so wonder what will happen there?

Y4 and y8 are the years kids transition to their new schools- will they be the first to go back? Absolutely no need for the y6s to be a priority, they are halfway through middle school!!!

[Vinorosso74]

I think Y6 need the chance to finish primary school and say goodbye but the whole half term? Y1 and reception though??? DD is Y5 and desperately missing school. I really hope they look at cancelling the SATs next year or lower expectations as the kids will have missed out and need to catch up.
What about the areas with three tier system? Y6 are part way through middle school so Y4/Y8 are the key years there??

[lorisparkle]

I work in a special school and it is impossible to do social distancing. Instead we are doing what I call 'social minimising' - a bit like 'the bubble' idea. We have small groups of children and staff who all stick together and don't mix with the other groups, even at break times and lunch times. I could see this working in a primary or early years setting but it is very part time with only the most vulnerable students (socially) doing more than 50%.

[Vinorosso74]

Haha cross posted with you @UtterFabulousness

[DaisylovesDonald]

I have a reception and a year 3 as well. He did say that it was starting with R and Yr1 so I’m hopeful that the other years will get to go back before the summer as well.

[derxa111]

Will it be 5 days a week straight away, my reception child is going need to be settled all over again as gone a bit clingy.

[Redwinestillfine]

There's no way the rest of primary are going back summer term. That's not what he said.

[Livelovebehappy]

Not sure the school thing will happen. The teachers and the Unions probably won’t allow it. The unions are chomping at the bit and I can see they are going to use the situation as an excuse to flex their muscles and stir the pot.

[QuixoticQuokka]

I don't think Reception and year 1 should be going back until September, except for keyworker and vulnerable children as they can learn through play easily enough at home. That way years 2 to 6 can have more space, and they are also old enough to understand physical distancing.

[DaisylovesDonald]

We’re 3 tier as well. I’m assuming that yr4 and yr7 will get to go back here rather than yr6.

[ElenadeClermont]

I disagree with childcare being the reason. You cannot leave a 12-13-year-old home alone for months.