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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:
Clockers41 · 01/06/2020 21:04

My year 6 daughter had a lovely day - 7 in her class at the moment and she is lucky and got her teacher - she had a spring in her step on the way home that i have not seen in a long time.

My year 2 twin boys are dying to go back

Leighwalk · 01/06/2020 21:04

Well organised, calm, children in bubbles, different to usual but managing well.
Unfortunately by 1.00pm, two children with CV symptoms, isolated in a room, parents sent for, other parents notified as well as the staff from that bubble. Worrying end to the day.

MilaRos · 01/06/2020 21:05

My DS In R had a fantastic day, he was so happy and full of beans when he came home. Although he only had 6 children back in his class, which had been split in two. School, reportedly said less the 50% of the eligible pupils returned today.

DoesJeffKnow · 01/06/2020 21:07

Where in the country are you @Leighwalk is it a current hotspot?

saraclara · 01/06/2020 21:08

My daughter is a teacher and worried so much about whether they'd be able to offer the kids the right sort of relaxed environment. But she's come home from work buzzing in just the same way that people's children have! She said it was lovely, the kids were great, and it all felt really chilled and positive.

Muddlingalongalone · 01/06/2020 21:10

Lovely to hear such positive stories. Dd2 is yr R and going back tomorrow.

Katjolo · 01/06/2020 21:11

Great positive thread OP. Well done to all schools.

Typohere · 01/06/2020 21:11

My yr 6 child is going back tomorrow so thank you for sharing how things went on this thread.

I am shielding but decided that it is in his best interests for him to return. I had a good chat with the teacher and very positive and they have worked hard to make this work, despite the horrible press stories.

Lovely to see some really happy news. I think I will keep reading this thread - nice to have a smiley thread for once

Spacepocket · 01/06/2020 21:16

Positive, happy, reassuring thread Smile

Theredjellybean · 01/06/2020 21:18

Wonderful thread.. Wish my Yr 12 dd and dsd could go back... They really miss social interaction.

niki26 · 01/06/2020 21:21

My 4 year old said she had a 'super great day'!!! She wouldn't stop talking about it the whole way home! There were 7 of them in her group today - the most there will be is 9 but she's the only full timer so I don't think there will ever be 9 there.

I'm pleased we sent her back!

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 01/06/2020 21:21

@gingerorange

I was happy with the risk, there was a chart I read somewhere today that the vast majority of children don't live with anyone over 50

What about school staff over 50? Several of my colleagues are, don't they matter?

My head and I are over both 50. We have been in school for the last nine weeks, her for almost all of them, with the children all mixing and no social distancing and we have had nobody become ill. We were talking today about even though our ages put us at increased risk, we are both very laid back compared to some other staff, particularly those who have not been in school before now. I have been running, working out and just generally keeping myself as fit as possible, so if I do contract the virus my body is better equipped to cope with it.
SallyOMalley · 01/06/2020 21:24

I'd be interested to know what sort of percentages are returning in each year. Our area has prioritised key workers' children, then R, Y1 and Y6 in that order. Our Y6 kids haven't gone back at all as they can't fit them in. I only know of a tiny handful that decided not to return in Y6, and it seems that the other years are going back en masse too (hence Y6 not able to go back yet). It's a similar situation in other schools in our immediate area. Are 'returners' in the minority where you are?

Vargas · 01/06/2020 21:26

Wonderful thread! My 3 are not in the relevant years but I'm hoping 2 of them will get some time at school before end of school year.

And anyone spreading rubbish about independent schools not opening until September, you need to check your facts, all our local primary age independents opened today.

JumpingAtJackdaws · 01/06/2020 21:27

What a lovely thread. Even though my DC are grown up and I'm soon to be a granny, hearing how happy your children are to be back at school has brought a tear to my eye.

PeonyTruffle · 01/06/2020 21:32

My DS went back to Y1 today, I cannot fault his teachers and they effort they made to make him feel happy and comfortable. So grateful to them.

There were 10 his class with 1 teacher and 2 TA's s and they spent all day together.

They are providing cold packed lunches each day and no school uniform, which he loves. I went round and round as to whether or not we had made the right decision about his return but I do think we have, I love this thread and to hear about so many happy little ones :)

cassgate · 01/06/2020 21:32

Artie, it’s interesting what you say because it seems that at my school the older staff are all for cracking on but the younger ones are reluctant. I am one of the older TAs and went back today. We had 6 children in year 6. It was very relaxed and they seemed to enjoy themselves. Roll on tomorrow.

Floatyboat · 01/06/2020 21:34

Great to hear positive stories. Well done teachers if you've been involved in making this happen. It must have hard work and stressful getting everything sorted but shows what can be done with the right attitude!

bananaskinsnomnom · 01/06/2020 21:35

As a staff member, from my perspective my school handled it really well and the children had a great day. About 70% attendance in my class, most classes only had one or two missing. Independent school so reception were lucky that there are only 15 in each class Anyway so we didn’t have to split, though we are normally one big classroom, now the partition is shut. Year 6 are split into 3 classes rather than two.

The most anxious and panicked parents (a couple of mine) who thought their children would struggle with the changes and would find the experience completely traumatic ended up receiving the happiest children who skipped out the door with smiles. One parent was beyond thankful and said she’s more calm now, one gave me a glare and if looks could kill I would have been dead on the floor.

The “no sharing” thing I think was the most positive part. It stopped petty arguments about who has the red scissors or who gets to hand out whiteboard pens because everything was allocated and the children were proud of their own pots and labelled chairs.

We made it clear that this was their special bubble and, whilst it’s not really best to cuddle each other right now, they can still play together and don’t need to be frightened. My class is reception. I didn’t handle them at arms length.

We spent a considerable amount of time washing hands. We have a sink in the classroom which was used (minus toilet trips) - certainly a lot of things dragged on for longer due to constant hand washing. We said everything’s a bit different for everyone and they went with the flow and adapted well. Hopefully it will continue. Lots of extra time outside and an extra playtime.

I know this could change but I think my school have done well. I just hope the figures over the next few weeks continue to fall rather than send us back to square one Confused

quiteathome · 01/06/2020 21:37

So glad I read this.

My year six goes back on Wednesday. Doing two days a week as it a big school.

CostaCosta · 01/06/2020 21:39

@Bol87 that's lovely! It must have been such a hard time for you all.

wendz86 · 01/06/2020 21:47

Reception child had a lovely time. Apparently they had sectioned areas for the two classes as they usually share areas but she didn't notice. Highlight was eating lunch outside.
They are doing 2 days with half the class, there were 10 in her class today so guessing around 2/3 are going back which was slightly higher than i thought it would be.

cjpark · 01/06/2020 21:49

Dad is yr6. She went back today. 2/3 of the class returned so 2 bubbles of 10 children. She had an amazing time. I was very impressed with the school, lots of hand washing, picnics outside and creative writing. she can’t wait for tomorrow!

CloudPop · 01/06/2020 21:51

So good to hear. My kids would be back tomorrow if they could.

atomicnotsoblonde · 01/06/2020 21:55

Is anyone's school doing temperature testing? Mine is insisting on it, but I'm really not happy about this an an approach. There are a whole host of issues re cleaning, calibration and the type of thermometer it is.

I wondered if other schools had done this and experiences?