AIBU to think Y6 should go back first?

[desperateneedschooltoreopen]

On Friday 15th May when Bojo decided that yR, y1 and y6 were going to be going back to school first I thought it was a strange decision for the younger ones to be going back but relieved that my DD who is in y6 would be returning to school for her last few weeks in her primary school with her friends. On Friday last week we got an email from the headteacher that yR were going back to school first on 1st June and then after that y1 will go back when they’ve decided it’s right and then after that y6. Yesterday we got another email saying that due to the amount of extra key worker children and the yRs there may not be enough space for y6 children to go back AT ALL!! I realise this is a hard time for everyone and we've all been thrown into a situation we've never had before but surely better decisions should be made? Y6 children will be the best ones to understand about social distancing and talking to friends from two metres, and also be able to do everything for themselves. My emotional 11 year old daughter is such a hormonal wreck and is not coping being at home 24/7 with me, my husband who is working from home 8-5 everyday, and our 8 year old son whose coping mechanism seems to be just winding her up. She's already so unhappy she's missing her week long school trip in July, the y6 production and their Y6 disco.Surely the oldest children should go back first?

There is only so much fun you can have doing social distancing games and it's all weather dependent anyway.

Social distancing games for 6 and a half hours every day for seven weeks is going to wear very, very thin.

No one said 7hours a day

At our secondary school years 10 and 12 have been told to come in, in their games kit, not to bring uniform to change into as changing games rooms out of bounds , i think its grewt for them and i wish my 2 were going back

Some people are determined to be negative but those people can keep their kids at home, my dd is 13 and her mental health is a big concern, I'd love for her to be going back, j can't be with her throughout the day as I have to work and her age group doesn't fall under key worker children or a reason for work to let me stay home regarding childcare

It's a long time until September for her, wish she could take one of the spaces all these parents are reluctant to take up

I think parents need to realise it is not going to be like normal School!
I'm a teacher. Priority is Keyworker and vulnerable children and if Schools cannot open safely with any more students they don't have to.
Teachers will be absent so they may not have their usual teacher, every desk will be separated and the normal curriculum will mot be followed. Add to this Facemasks being worn etc. it will actually be rather alarming.

@bigchris

All they’ll be going back for is to say goodbye to some friends

I don't agree at all

In the summer term my 2 started walking home from school alone to prepare them for seco day school - they can still do this

They can get into the routine of getting up, packing their school bag again

Playing rounders and tennis like most did in the last term

Actually they can’t do the walking alone, our school have said that year 6 should be dropped off and collected by parents due to the current situation, and aren’t allowed to go on bikes or scooters as the bike shed will be closed

Year 6 in these parts is the middle year of Middle School. It would make more sense for the Year 7s to go back to prepare for High School in September.

Eccle80
God, that's sad

There's a real risk of this generation being afraid to do anything isn't there

No one said 7hours a day

The Dfe have - they want full time schooling, no rotas, as much outside learning as possible. 49 hours x 7 weeks.......doing what, exactly?

I don't agree, this is a great opportunity for this situation to be discussed with this generation and for them to learn to assess risk. This is an opportunity for us to encourage this generation to question things not blindly just do as they are told.

But they aren't allowed to question if they can bike to school, walk home lol

I don't agree, this is a great opportunity for this situation to be discussed with this generation and for them to learn to assess risk. This is an opportunity for us to encourage this generation to question things not blindly just do as they are told.

Somehow, I can tell that you have not seen an example of the 25 page risk assessment that schools have had to compile - including no 'risky' activities (climbing wall, etc) to minimise first aid. You have absolutely no idea. Schools have even been asked to get parents to sign new behavioural contracts that promise they absolutely will 100% blindly just do as they are told!

@bigchris

Eccle80 God, that's sad

Yes it is, the whole return sounds pretty sad, small groups never even seeing each other, staying 2m apart all day and eating packed lunch at their desks. I know the teachers will try their hardest to make it a nice experience, and I think the part being taught in the classrooms will be ok, but it is everything around it

My daughter teachers year 6. In her school year R go back on the 1st, then year 1 a week after that and year 6 a week after that.

The current guidance for primary is for teachers not to wear masks, u less dealing with a child with suspected Covid. So there shouldn’t be masks.

It won’t be the same but unless we try we won’t know - suspect the kids may be more relaxed about the differences than the adults - particularly if parents try to take a positive approach.

The current guidance says masks are not necessary - it does not say masks should not be worn.

Bluewarbler27

That's really what I was hoping our school to do but it's not

Having Y6 back is a waste of time. Y5 or Y4 would've made far more sense.

@Feenie apologies that is true. The general tone of the guidance encourages them not to be worn I would say. I accept some schools may take a different approach ( although I’d suggest a large supply would be needed for teachers as for masks to be effective they need to be changed regularly)

I'm sure a lot of children (and parents) are finding it tough at the moment and it's understandable that most of those will see their year group as a priority for one reason or another. So in that respect of course your opinion isn't unreasonable.

I dont have any primary age children, however as a teacher, at this stage of the year year 6 are the ones I'd prioritise least from an education point of view. Of course it's not all driven by educational needs at the moment but I'm not surprised many schools are bringing more of the younger ones back before yr6.