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Original poster

First day back at school - how was it?

309 replies

snowballer · 01/06/2020 15:59

I have a child in Y1 and he's had a brilliant day. Around 20 of the class of 30 came back today, split into two groups across two classrooms. Nothing was terrifying, no weird chalk circles outside in which to play, and no prison like classrooms. All the children coming out at pick up were so happy to be back. Even the fact his best friend is in the other group didn't bother him!

How were your children's days if they went back today?

OP posts:
EatDessertFirst · 01/06/2020 21:56

My yr6 DD will hopefully be going back on 15th June. Not soon enough in her opinion! Its so nice to read that your DC have had such positive, uplifting experiences. Makes the judgemental voices a lot quieter. Hopefully, the social media hysteria will die down and pupil numbers will rise as more people see that it is safe.

Ilikewinter · 01/06/2020 21:58

This is a great thread, i dont have kids but am so happy to see they all had a great day and it must be such a relief for parents to know the first day went well. Hopefully as more kids return they will be able to show them the way!

usernotfound0000 · 01/06/2020 22:02

This thread has been very uplifting. DD is back in reception tomorrow, she is so excited!

Bflatmajorsharp · 01/06/2020 22:03

In terms of % of children back, at our school it was about half of Y6, and much less of the younger years.

Although also separate Y2/3 and Y4/5 keyworker bubbles.

mamaduckbone · 01/06/2020 22:04

My year 6 ds isn't back for a couple of weeks but I was back with my own year 6 'bubble' today and they were so smiley and happy to see each other - I have 9 girls who literally talked all day, but they were brilliant with the hand washing and distancing and absolutely loved having their own wallet of stationery and equipment. I feel so much better about it all seeing them so happy.

Ohnopoo · 01/06/2020 22:04

My yr 6 was v nervous last night but has had a wonderful day.
Headteacher met them on the playground with a very warm welcome.
She is v happy to have her own desk and space to work. They did some art and played lots of games outside. There was a lot of hand washing and some (to my mind) OTT rules but worth it to be back with her friends.
I’d been v worried I was making the wrong decision but I’m pleased she went back. She was like a different girl this afternoon.

Leighwalk · 01/06/2020 22:06

A PP asked..no not a particular hotspot.

For a more general view - also as asked by a PP - about a third of children returned in my LA.

For the school with the suspected CV cases, less attending tomorrow because, of course, some staff and children are now in isolation too.

Deblou43 · 01/06/2020 22:07

Fab thread was in 2 minds but sending him back !

Breadandroses1 · 01/06/2020 22:12

@atomicnotsoblonde ours is doing temperature testing using infrared thermometers on entry. I disagree with it from a science POV- it's not a good way of telling if someone has CV at all- but in the grand scheme if things I don't think it matters too much. School sent a social story so they knew what to expect and kids took in their stride. It's a large MAT and I think they're doing it in all schools.

DD (yr1) was basically doing no home learning at all- we are both working FT from home- and came home very cheerful today.

HermanHermit · 01/06/2020 22:15

Y6 child went back today and is very happy with it all but I'm a bit (very) surprised to hear that lessons were still all online by computer at their desk - the kids are back but not the teachers! TA or form teacher only, sitting at the front while the kids peck at keyboards - a bit odd, no? The teachers aren't furloughed as they're doing digital lessons but not in school???

Moonflower12 · 01/06/2020 22:19

I teach Foundation (Early Years). We had the best day.
One of my little ones actually launched herself at me from about 6 foot away. Luckily I caught her. It made her mums day ( and mine!)

Willowmartha1 · 01/06/2020 22:19

Great! The school was very efficient and organized and my daughter came out very happy as did the other children.

Geraniumblue · 01/06/2020 22:20

The reason for online learning carrying on in school is that the class teachers may still be providing a full online curriculum for those that have chosen not to come in. They can’t do that and teach a class that has been split into two or three bubbles. It’s just not physically possible.
It’s far from ideal though.

LuluJakey1 · 01/06/2020 22:21

DS (Reception) and DD (Nursery) are not going back until September. DS's class had 4 out of 28 there today and DD's Nursery had 3 out of 35. I passed the nursery and they were having a lovely time with the playground to themselves and the staff.

cadburyegg · 01/06/2020 22:36

Wonderful thread thank you for posting

DS is in YR and will be returning next week

breadwidow · 01/06/2020 22:45

Really nice to hear such good stories. My daughter (reception) could have gone back to today. I was more pro her return but DH very against it and as he's doing bulk of home schooling I didn't fight with him on it. I'm hoping to convince him at some point. She has her big brother at home (Y3), but I think DD could really do with seeing her friends and some sense of normality. Her behaviour is increasingly challenging at home and screen time way too excessive

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 01/06/2020 23:03

What a lovely thread but it made me cry. My 8 yr old DS and yr6 DD are suffering badly. They are both very depressed.

We're in Wales. The nation where children have been forgotten 😢

Gertie75 · 01/06/2020 23:17

My 5 year old dd went back to reception and loved it, she came out with the biggest smile I've seen in weeks and was happily shattered.

I think we need to give the young ones more credit with how well they understand the social distancing, I've been getting a bit frustrated with people saying 5 year olds won't stick to the rules of not hugging their friends, if anything I find the younger kids abide rules much better than the teenagers.

cyclingmad · 01/06/2020 23:22

Kids are far more flexible and resilient that we give them credit for, tends to be the adults that become more resistant as they get older and unwilling to be as flexible or accept change easily.

Floatyboat · 01/06/2020 23:27

@MrsArchchancellorRidcully

Stay positive. Hopefully progress like this willn encouragement to politicians to ignore the (non) teaching unions.

Piixxiiee · 01/06/2020 23:29

Lovely to hear. My nursery and year1 dc will e going back this week or next week for a few days a week and we're so unsure of that decision....

SpokeTooSoon · 02/06/2020 00:13

Surprising to hear of so many classes with lots of children staying home. Ours was full today, every child there as far as I know.

FrenchFancie · 02/06/2020 05:20

I so wish that my dd in year 2 could go back - she’s another one who is sad and angry most of the time and even a few days at school would make such a difference to her.
No idea when year 2 will be back though, not for a while I suspect.

Her teachers have done a great job with home learning but she’s an only child and 10 weeks is a long relentless time when it’s just her and me!

Delta1 · 02/06/2020 05:33

A couple of friends are going back today. Hope everyone who's starting back today has as positive an experience as everyone on this thread. I for one am insanely jealous!

Burplecutter · 02/06/2020 06:09

My DD (yr 1) started back yesterday too. The week prior every mention of school was met with tears and cries of "I'm not going in" no matter how positive myself and DH were about it. A switch flicked the day before and she happily skipped out of the house off to school. Her face was beaming with happiness when I picked her up. "Best day ever", she's very excited to be going back.

The only thing she didn't like was the strawberry yoghurt but another girl wanted it so she gave it to her (so social distancing is relaxed within the bubbles).

She's also happy that the homeschooling lessons will be done in school, it was becoming more and more difficult to get her to engage at home, but she did everything asked of her at school.

The whole family sighed relief when I let them know how her day went. Everyone was a bit anxious that she might spend the day sad, although nobody showed that to DD.