First day back at school - how was it?

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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?

This is a fab thread. We're opening to the big three year groups tomorrow and really hoping it goes well in terms of health AND fun.

It’s a thumbs up here as well.
Not as many children as we were expecting so DS got a lovely little group to play with. Got sent a video in advance so knew what to expect and hope they keep some of these changes permanently.

So we don't all hate teachers any more? Hooray!

My two had a lovely day. Thanks to their marvellous teachers. Some work in the morning lunch in the sun and craft activities in pm.

Well done teachers

Yes! Awesome.

Two children different schools and it seemed brilliant. They alterations are fine and quite honestly - a change is a good as a rest and they also had the rest. !

I take my hat off to the teachers who've obviously worked really hard to make it all work today

It was a success for my Year One. Usually by this point in the day in lockdown he is Being utterly obnoxious. Now he is being chatty and lovely. It feels like I have my real child back. A few things a bit different at school, but nothing major.

My reception child had a lovely day, they played mostly outside games and even had a little water fight.
It was so nice to see them all happy when they came out, even the teacher.

Mine went back today into reception. Had a fab day. Came running out full of stories and wanted to tell me all about it. Nothing scary, all very positive. The school and staff have been amazing throughout.

16/29 have gone back and more may go back in the coming weeks depending on how things develop.

I think this thread demonstrates how flexible children are and able to manage different situations. School might be different now but it doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile and enjoyable.

My year 1 child came out of school with the biggest smile on her face. She's in a keyworker group of 3 right now but they'll be joined up to the rest of the year 1s who are starting later in the week.
I was nervous about her going because I didn't know how different it was going to be and how she'd cope but the teachers were really happy and positive when we arrived and the measures they had taken were reassuring without being scary for the children. I'm so relieved she had such a good day, she's missed her friends (I have 2 older teens so she's not had any children her own age to play with).

Its lovely to hear such great feedback.
Dd was meant to be back on Thursday, but her school have pushed it back as they are not quite ready. So we are treating this week as another half term week and just chilling out.
Shes totally ready to go back and see some of her friends, so hopefully she will be back as soon as they deem it safe to do so.

This is so lovely.

I'm a bit worried about my y3 DS going back. He hates school. Absolutely loathes it. I made an offhand comment to DH last night about school going back today and he overheard and sobbed, started shaking and locked himself in the bathroom. He's so much happier at home

Such good news. It’s lovely that they’re so pleased to be back.

As a teacher it has irritated me how much the media has hyped up how awful it would be for children to return when staff have done so much work to make the absolute best out of a surreal situation. We all know you can’t completely social distance these young ones but by keeping them in smaller ‘ bubbles’ the risks are as low as can be. All these posts highlight how important just ‘being at school’ is to the children.

I'm so happy to read these. My niece is due to go back but her school are opening a week or two later than others. Her Mum has been so worried. I've sent her a link to this thread so she can read some positivity.

Yeat 6 here, had a great day! Lunch outside, headmaster greeting them at the gate, PE will be twice a week, also other parents said kids had a great day!

Year 6 DD had a big wobble over the weekend about going back, because her friends' parents decided at the last minute to delay sending them, but she was feeling more positive again about it this morning and had a good time. Her bubble only had four in it today, but there should be a few more next week, including her best friends. The school have been very positive about the whole process, and the teachers sent a video last week showing the new set-up. Just wish that my year 3 could've gone back too!

My year 1 went back today to his normal class and was a small group of only 6 (there are only ever 15 year 1s in the class as it is mixed with year 2). My year 5 also went back into a key worker bubble - fist time we had sent the kids to school since lockdown.

Both came home absolutely buzzing about what a fantastic day they had and can’t wait to go back tomorrow. The staff were all so welcoming and positive and the kids didn’t seem in the least bit bothered by the safety precautions.

I'm really glad to hear that all your children had a good time.

As a teacher, please may I ask you to stick really closely to social distancing guidelines out of school. Everyone in a bubble could potentially be affected by the decisions of all the other families in the bubble. Let's keep every person in every family in every bubble safe. That way the infection rates stay low, the schools stay open and the children stay happy!

I've just seen pictures of mine crowded round a tuff tray, so no social distancing enforced at our school. Lots of outdoor lessons and fun with friends. Will be so difficult for some schools when there's more kids though. Thankfully DS school is tiny anyway.

Great to hear. I really hope other years can be accommodated soon.
I must say that the hand wringing on MN from some corners about how little precious ones can't possibly deal with a change in set up really annoyed me. Credit our kids with some resilience please! And of course teachers want to make it nice and fun. Even though it must be really tricky. I take my hat off to them.

Dd is year one and doesn’t go back until Thursday.
I know there is only 7 in her group with her normal teacher and a ta that she adores. She is so ready to go back and I am confident in the way the school are handling it.
Ds 4 had his first day back at nursery today and any doubts I had about him going back disappeared when he spotted his best friend and both boys face lit up as they ran to hug each other.
I had a wobble last night about if we had made the right decision but I am more confident now.

Exhausting. Getting used to working in a new year group, getting to know new children, planning for the week, gathering new resources to use.

Now home and trying to help my own children with their school work (secondary so not back yet) and reading yet another risk assessment before an SLT meeting tomorrow.

DS went back today too, he walked into school beaming and was still beaming at the end of the day. 7 out of 18 went back, they had so much fun, lots of outdoor play, a picnic lunch on the field and even managed to get some work done. Our headteacher was delighted to see them.