First day back at school - how was it?

[snowballer]

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?

What a lovely thread. Also making me feel very jealous- my DS is year one but we're still waiting for confirmation whether he'll be back. The head has said that this week is 'old' key worker kids, next week is any ' new' key workers and then they may have space for R and Y1 the week beginning 15th. Fingers crossed!

Fantastic thread. I am so glad all your childrrnbhad a great day and were supported well by staff.
Roll on the day when schools are back to normal and playgrounds are full of happy kids again 🌞

Thank you @Floatyboat ❤️

My year 5 SEN child went back yesterday, he's 10 going on 4 but in mainstream so went in to a keyworker/vulnerable child group. I personally had no doubt I was making the right decision before taking him in, he's been steadily losing any chance of even a semi-independent adult life and was regressing in his already limited social skills. I spent all of last week preparing him for how things would be a bit different and reminding him about social distancing and hygiene rules.

These were his words on the way home :

School was good, it wasn't scary
It's a bit different but things are getting a bit more normal
We had to wash our hands a lot and think of ways to play outside without equipment
I tried to remember 2m but needed reminding sometimes
I've got my own learning pack and we had lunch at our table
I'm happy I went to school and want to go back tomorrow

The headteacher was at the gate welcoming all the children, there was a one way system around the playground to reach the classroom doors, he found following the arrows quite exciting. Although he's not in with his actual teacher, she came to out to say hello to him and give him a "social distancing hug". He is in with a teacher and LSA that he had a couple of years ago though, and as it's a small village school, everyone knows everyone anyway.

The teachers and staff seemed to have done everything they can to make the children feel happy, safe and secure. It realy was nothing like the horror stories being shown in the MSM.

This is a lovely thread. Well done to all the school staff for working so hard to make a success of things.

We're in a borough that doesn't support schools reopening. Our head is being quite negative about what the school experience will be like for those attending when they do reopen, and it's pleasing to hear that are teachers are making things enjoyable and the kids are adapting well.

@theturn

Exactly my thoughts. I guess some people are just glass half empty types. But well done all the positive teachers that have been enthusiastic, rational, caring and made this work!

This has been a lovely thread to read. What a credit to both teachers and children!

Just dropped Dd off for her first day at nursery and she was giddy! Her favourite key worker came out to bring her in and she dashed in without even a goodbye I did think there’d be some tears, but she just couldn’t wait to get in there.

Looking forward to seeing how her day has been later!

My son went back for his first day back of nursery too and he was over the moon, couldn't wait to put his nursery top on when he woke up. When we got there he ran in without a backwards glance!

My daughter went back today. It's a rural school and only 4 children are there today! We back on to the school field, and I've just been watching them play with the teachers. I think she's going to be so happy (but shattered) this afternoon.
I think the key question is how much you trust your school? I trust our small village school completely, but do think I may have had different feelings if it was a large inner city school.

Can anyone suggest a nice gift to give to the teachers to say thanks for getting on with it and show my appreciation. There's lots of staff involved so something for the staff room rather than a bottle of wine for one person. Budget about a tenner.

Tin of special biscuits?

I'd do something small for each teacher as they may not be able to share biscuits/chocolate.

I'm been so happy to read this thread, and it's made me feel quite teary as well. My year 6 DD is going back 2 days a week from next Friday and she can't wait. Overall, she's handled the last few weeks pretty well, but as things have dragged on is getting increasingly demotivated and down. Being an only child has added to the gloom, so I'm so thankful for her mental health that she'll be back at school soon.

My son went back today and it was lovely (Year 1).

The Head and Deputy Head were at the gates to welcome all the children back and their presence was so reassuring.

All the teachers looked so happy and excited to have the children back.

My son wasn’t phased at all about all the changes that were put in place regarding bubbles and classroom layouts etc etc and has had the most amazing day.

I knew my yr6 would love going back but had wondered how it would be for little ones - I'm so pleased they've enjoyted it :)

Yr R daughter started back yesterday and it was a brilliant experience, she is in a group of 10 with her teacher, TA and assigned dinner lady, she is so so happy to be back, she hasn’t stopped smiling and talking I didn’t realise quite how lockdown was affecting her! I’m so pleased she went back it was such a lovely experience her teacher and the headmaster have made things almost as normal, my Yr 6 daughter will hopefully be back next week and my Yr 11 daughter hopefully the week after that if all goes well so I’m hopeful the last 5/6 weeks before they break up for summer will be enjoyable and with their friends!

Ours decided (last minute) to not return until 15th June. My year 6 is so upset 😔

Hope all those that had children starting today had a great day, and those starting later this week do too. It's been so wonderful to have such a positive thread - thanks to everyone that's contributed 😊

I’m a TA in year 6 and have been in with my bubble yesterday and today. 7 children but were expecting a few more. The children are all from the same class and I am their usual TA and the teacher is their usual teacher.

We have had a lovely two days and the children have been completely fine. A bit quiet to start with but soon back to normal. It has been so nice to spend more time with them. They are doing slightly different work to that sent home and I will be working with those who need extra maths help before secondary.

The smaller class size works well, less distractions and the children were all on task. We also spent lots of time outside, it has been nice to see the group all play together as they’re usually part of different friendship circles within the class. No one has been left out.

My preschoolers went back today only opening for the morning so far but they had a wonderful time despite having to be in the same bubble!! There were only 5/6 kids in each bubble today and they were thrilled to be back. Only tiny issue we had was trying to socially distance the kids while we were lined up as the some of the girls were desperate to hold hands

@Aretheystillasleepbob 90% of independent primary schools opened on Monday, a far higher % than state primaries. I genuinely don’t understand where this ridiculous bollox comes from other than some kind of snarky political dig. Every school state or independent makes a decision based on their own RA’s and need, it is nothing to do with which “sector” they fall into unless you’ve fallen for the “Eton isn’t going back until September trick” Hint it’s a secondary school none of which are going back until September. My daughter went back to her Independent Prep school with 200 other children on Monday and to get to the point of the thread had an amazing day and school did a fantastic job. The state primary where I am COG isn’t returning until the 8th for just 50 odd children. Every school is different, please drop the private vs state bull unless you have actual facts.

Such wonderful messages! Makes such a change from the constant doomsday messages doing the rounds. My son is year 1 is back on Monday and he cannot wait.

My daughter in year 6 went back yesterday and she came back beaming!! They are in bubbles of 10 kids with one teacher, each child has their own desk separated in one class and I think they stay on that desk start to finish. The start and finish times are staggered and it does end up to be shorter days by about an hour but all the kids looked like they had come out just relaxed and so happy!! Dd was really happy after school, she really enjoyed herself and out of all my 3 kids she really needed this, she's very social and although she's been doing good I think yesterday and today proved she really needed to go back to school.

The teacher's have been fantastic in settling the children back in and our lovely lollipop lady is back too so the children are extra relieved.

So glad to hear all the children have loved going back!

DS1 year 1 went back yesterday and he came out tonight really upset that he’s not in again until next Monday!! He has loved it, I’m so glad because I was really worried he’d hate it, he’s an anxious little chap anyway but the change in his attitude and behaviour was instantaneous when he came out of school yesterday. His smile lit up the world