Why only primary school going back?

[Mummypig2020]

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

Because reported scientific evidence suggests that children under the age of 11 are less likely to catch it/pass it on.

Full transcript is here www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-10-may-2020

I'm not prepared to send my Year 1 DD back in June, will be keeping her at home with her older siblings.

Here in Cumbria our new case rate figures are the highest in England per 100k population, I'm hoping for schools in our county to remain closed to all but those children who are attending now until at least September. Possibly November to January.

Really we need a stricter lockdown here, sending more children back to school and advising people they can drive to beauty spots is making me so anxious. Our second wave could be horrific this summer

Year R,1 and 6 because that is the year groups that most people who are making the decisions have children in? Really no reasoning to it at all. Childcare is not a reason as I would say all primary school aged children need childcare. The year 6 thing is just plain weird as like year 11 and 13 the last term is all about exams then fun fun fun, not education. Unlike the year 10s and 12s that are missing vital teacher time

So children are low risk, or carry a low viral load.

What about their parents, who will be dropping them off, picking them up every day?

I work in an infants' school and YR/Y1 will mean 200+ adults - parents, and in many cases grandparents - coming to the playground twice a day - there is no way on God's green earth that they will be able to socially distance themselves. Even if the children are let off from social distancing, what about their parents/carers?

I'm waiting with interest to see what the guidance on this will be. If it's as well-organised and detailed as the lockdown guidance was, we're all fucked.

@ABucketOfShells

Yes, hence or there’s enough immunity.. It can’t always be wiping through people at this rate, hopefully. I have no qualms about home educating for the next year or beyond if needed

But they weren’t sure herd immunity was viable with this virus. It’s like a cold or the flu and mutates year on year, hence having to have a flu jab every year.

What they do know is the risk to young children is so minimal.

Fair enough though, if you can home educate.

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

It’s a bit more complicated than that, isn’t it? We’re both working from home and so basically the only thing my five year old is leaving is how to use the remote control, for the vast majority of the day. It’s terrible for his mental health.

*is learning, that should be

Older children in secondary are more at risk from the virus as they are more adult physically.
Reception and year one don’t need to go back for developmental reasons at all. Many countries do not start school until 7 and they do better in the long run than kids in the U.K. year 6 aren’t going to benefit from a couple of weeks to prepare for secondary school. Even a full year isn’t enough prep believe me. This is just sentimentality before safety, letting them get on with the ritual of leaving primary school. If the surrounding areas of the U.K. are closed until September we should be too.

I understand why it needs to be phased & the economy is obviously important but not sure in reality how well it will work.

Too many variables; someone in hospitality or travel industry can send their 5 yo back but still can't work. Someone who can work & office is open but not a key worker & has a yr 3 child so no childcare. What about vulnerable & shielding staff/pupils, will the appetite be there?

I think as another poster said upthread people will relax a bit, mix more & then we will have a small spike so the dates will move. This is probably to start preparing people that change is coming.

I’m hoping it goes ahead,
I have three YR 5, 3 and Reception. My reception boy is struggling the most, he just cannot process what is going on. I am WFH currently, and this will be much easier with him at school. The other two can definitely occupy themselves better.

November to January would be the most ridiculous time to open schools!

September is worrying but I would probably chance it.

But if it were Nov onwards, I would probably look to keep my kids out until March / April.

And I will send my YR child in June.......

I have a year 4 and Reception child at home. It is much harder to work from home with my 5yo. The 9 yo can look after herself and follow the set homework by the teacher and also the stuff from BBC bitesize. It will be a relief to have the 5yo back at school. I think it’s a good choice.

Should have been Years 5 and 6 for primaries, and Years 10 and 12.

Bigfishy agreed.

I do not need the childcare and I will still have a child at home.

But my YR is struggling so much emotionally and we have been concerned about his mental health.

I will send him back as its absolutely the best thing for him.

Year 1 with shielded parent...DD will be going nowhere! I assume that this has been thought about!

The proposal to send R and Y1 is just reenforcing the idea that schools are childcare, because we certainly won't be able to 'do school' in these conditions.

derxa most police do not work from home.

Where did I say they did @Hadenoughfornow? I said my friend & her colleagues (lots of detective work is desk based) have been wfh since the covid crisis.

All I know is when the initial policy was key workers in schools only there were cries of "thousands will turn up" but the take up has been small because people have preferred to keep them at home where possible.

I'm in the Netherlands
Here primary school is starting tomorrow (4-12 years old).
Reasons:
Statistically least affected group in NL. In age group 0-18 most cases of infection and admission to hospital/IC are for either very young children or older teenagers.

Schools tend to be closer to home and most kids can walk/cycle. Secondary schools may be further and require use of public transport

Parents can focus on work

In The Netherlands children under 12 do not require to keep distance among each other. Distance to be observed only between kids and teacher and parents. Still difficult but they have taken careful measures ( in theory still but will see)

Schools will start with 50% capacity. 1/2 class will attend 2 days, other 1/2 class other two days of the week. One day school will be closed for prep work and cleaning. No parents allowed inside school, drop off and pick up outside.

They didn't say that other years wouldn't be going back before September

no, I know they didn't. They didn't mention them at all. Clearly it wouldn't be politic at this point to say "other year groups won't go back until September". But surely we can read between the lines? A phased return that will start at earliest on 1st June with YR, Y1, Y6 and "an ambition" that Y10 and Y12 will get at least "some time" with teachers before the summer, doesn't allow for lots of time for any other secondary year group to start in the 7 week period before the summer holidays start. And DD's school has already said that they will only take half the year group in at a time anyway. There is not the remotest realistic chance she (Y9) will be stepping into a school this side of September.

So if they are putting R and Y 1 back because of childcare, what about nursery kids..its difficult to work with 2-3 year olds too??

Nothing said about private nurseries?

All year 10 and 12 children's are not in the same boat. Independant schools are way ahead with online learning for example, and some DC started their GCSE courses in year 9, others in year 10 so much harder to catch up. It's not a level playing field at all.
I have DC in years 10 and 12. My year 12 is due to finish in five weeks anyway. Can't see exactly when he will get any face to face before then at this rate.

Nothing is ever said about private nurseries. It is like the government has totally forgotten they exist.

Year 9 are not in the equation at all. They don't have exams next year.