Why only primary school going back?

[Mummypig2020]

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

[concernedforthefuture]

Childcare. Older children are more capable of working at home independently.

[PumpkinP]

So will we have to send them back?? My son is in year 1 but I also have 3 others who can’t be left alone so will have to drag them all down on the school run. Also son will be extremely upset at being the only one going back as he hates school anyway. I’m guessing we don’t have to send them??

[PenguinMama]

I think it's because primary schools are smaller and usually based in one room - the kids can eat in their classroom and have staggered playtime. If one child tests positive, it's fewer children/teacher/ta who will then have to self isolate. Even more so if they have reduced class sizes.
Whereas secondary students are often set for subjects so they can't be kept in the same room (and practical subjects need equipment) meaning much more of the student and teacher population are potentially affected if one student gets ill.

That said, I don't know why he hasn't said schools need to work out a reduced or adapted timetable over say 2 weeks/fortnights for just year 10 and 12

PS yes, unions are frothing a bit about safety, but don't assume that means most teachers are not worried about their classes and keen to see them as soon as possible- and it's not just the freezing unions. As a secondary teacher myself (with mild asthma and pregnant) I really want to see my exam classes and hope we get more details soon about how this will work in as safe a way as possible, whilst letting me see them for as many lessons as possible. And on a selfish note,I want to say bye to them as I may not see them before their exams next year -plus I wasn't really showing before lockdown so don't want to have to "announce" it online

[londonskyline]

THERE WONT BE ANY SOCIAL DISTANCING IN EARLY YEARS AND RECEPTION.

It’s impossible and will impact on the children. It’s not hard to grasp.

This is why in his new poster / slogan thing it says keep your distance - 2m where possible. Because they know it can't happen in schools and they are accepting that.

[GetOutOfThereHoggle]

I've got reception year child and one in year 3... I can work from home so not going to send in the 4 year old who can't socially distance. I know not everyone can work from home but hope R going back isn't mandatory or I will be getting fined lol

[disorganisedsecretsquirrel]

I am not a Tory supporter . I am ideologically opposed to Boris and his politics BUT this seems a logical first step .

Yr r and year 1 because they are the hardest to look after whilst trying to WFH .

Obviously the HARDEST are pre-schoolers but the balance between social distancing (impossible) and going back to work outside the home has been decided on the side of health concerns for the childcare providers.

Yr R and Yr 1 are in a school environment where they have got used to 'rules' and a certain level of discipline.

Pre schoolers don't have that. There is obviously a huge difference in the personal contact between a pre school child and a school child. No nappy changing, much less cuddles, helping with personal care etc.

By yr 2 a child can reasonably be expected to entertain themselves for an hour to allow parents to do a little WFH.

It seems logical to me.

Along with no secondary school because so many travel by public transport.

[dairyfairies]

why childcare? a lot of children at secondary also cannot be left alone.

[Biscuit0110]

How the hell does this work?! With some children going back and not others....how does this help anyone??

I have one child going back, and all the rest stay at home!!!

Just ridiculous - wtaf is going on!

[Winnipegdreamer]

I’m guessing younger years as it’s harder for them to catch up. And year 6 so they get transition into secondary.

[cologne4711]

All year 10 and 12 pupils are in the same boat

but they're not - even within schools provisions varies by teacher and subject. And in any event, they need to see their friends too. The risks for them are tiny - and if they have shielding family members, or are shielding themselves, they can stay at home.

The (state) sixth forms around here finish for the year the first week of July so that doesn't give much time if Johnson wants them to have some face to face teaching Same here. Had they gone back after May half term it would have been worthwhile. At this rate they'll be lucky to get more than a few days.

You can't miss half a year's teaching like this.

[Notcontent]

I don’t think it’s to do with childcare. I think it’s just a bit random.

I have a young teen. Fortunately I can work from home. If I had to go into work, I think I would need to do half days because being alone at home all day, day after day, would have a really bad impact on her mental health. She is already suffering.

[ABucketOfShells]

My year 1 isn’t going back this year, not even in September. (Nor is my youngest due to start in September). Probably not until there’s a vaccine or until there’s enough immunity it isn’t dangerous. I don’t need the childcare and nor am I playing roulette with my children’s lives. It’s only safe for them to return with social distancing, teachers want PPE and perhaps children in masks. It’s going to be stressful for children and teachers.

[Healthyandhappy]

Reception y1 and y2 and y6 yay

[viewfromthecouch]

It might be logical to you, but I feel for the teaching staffs that will be having to try to deal with a miserable situation, possibly making most of them detest coming to school, while also trying to maintain their own health. It's not necessary to rush a return to school. it just isn't.

[Amimissingsomethinghere]

Sorry if I missed but what about nurseries? Do you reckon they'll open in June?

[Quartz2208]

He said at the Step 2 at the earliest June 1st he was hoping to get PRIMARY schools back in stages starting with YR, Y1 and Y6. That is all he said. To me that implies IF it is going ok and we hit Step 3 a lot of Primary School children could be back.

Secondary wasnt mentioned. BBC seemed to say though that those taking exams next year (Y10 and Y12) will have some face to face time but the majority of Secondary school children is September

Primary school aged children do seem the age least affected

[FreakStar]

This hasn’t been decided lightly, there will be scores of experts behind the scenes having made this decision.

Ha! You're very trusting!

[maria860]

I'm glad year 6 go back first my sons in year 6 very babyish and needs to say bye to his friends and get some prep done for seniors my other two missed out

[cologne4711]

I understand that reception and Y1 are the most vulnerable, but I can't see why Y10 and 12 have to wait some weeks after they've gone back. They're not at the same schools, and they could have started the process at the same time.

[Velvian]

Reception and yr1 seems madness, those children are at an age where they don't need formal education.

[ABucketOfShells]

@GetOutOfThereHoggle you can de-register from school then reapply when it’s safe if they try to fine. I will be if needed.

[TokyoSushi]

Reception and Year 1 is definitely a strange choice as they'll not be able to distance at all really.

I understand the childcare element though, mine are years 2 & 4 and I can WFH reasonably well while they potter, but it involves A LOT of screens 😕

[Connie222]

@ABucketOfShells I agree with you. I’ve already accepted that I’ll have to de reg and home ed my year 1.

[GetOutOfThereHoggle]

I really doubt they'll fine...
My youngest deffo won't be going back without the elder one anyway... seems illogical for my household

[TeddyIsaHe]

It’s not about formal education. It’s about getting young children back into routine, getting young children that are being abused daily back into a safe space, and getting working parents back to work.

I really don’t know why people are finding this hard to comprehend.