Should I send DS back to school?

[ShowOfHands]

We have to let the school know if I want DS to go back to school. His Dad is a keyworker so we are being offered a place. He is y3 so his class are not returning yet, unless they have a keyworker parent.

I'm not worried about covid, DH is at work as normal with no PPE and working with the public on a daily basis. That ship has sailed and we are all in good health with no risk factors. I want to know if it's better for him to go back without his friends and do the same learning at school as he would at home or if the strangeness wouldn't be worth it. My y8 dd isn't able to go back yet so it will just be him going.

He doesn't miss school if that makes any difference. 13yo dd would be back like a shot and I wouldn't even have to ask on MN. She's desperate to go back.

I'm not sure if it would benefit him.

So, not would you send your dc back, but should I send DS back? I'm furloughed so no childcare issues.

What is best for DS?

Our key worker children follow the same learning as those at home. They do have a teacher in front of them but could have up to 5 yr groups in the same class so it’s not ‘teaching’ as such that they receive but support with the work.

They have made their own little cross year group bubble work so well and it’s lovely to see the older ones being nurturing etc but if I had a year 3 child who hasn’t been in for the last 10 weeks, and who didn’t have friends there, I wouldn’t send them if I had a choice.

He's at home with a 13yo sister whom he loves, me who is teaching him 1 to 1 and sometimes his Dad. We've just started meeting up (socially distanced) with his best friend and Dad and we do outdoor learning. Went on a history/nature walk yesterday for example and did a bug hunt and some collecting of other things.

If he was "stuck" at home, the decision would be easier. He loves being at home.

It feels like your last post answered your own question about what you think is best for DS!

Hang on to him if you are all still enjoying the ride, we’re unlikely to get a chance like this again!

I just don't want his return to be more fraught than it needs to be. If it is better for him to go back now and have the routine back, then that's what I should do.

If he's spending all day at school in what's essentially a childcare setting, will he still be expected to do his remote learning from home on his own clock? That might not be well received!
Or maybe there's no actual work set for Year 3's?

From everything you have said, it's sounds like it would be best to keep him at home. He will get more help and support with his learning than school can offer, he can see his friend, and he won't be forced into an different school experience that may cause him anxiety (not that I'm against this on principle, but it's not a particularly great time for this right now if it can be avoided).

@Thisismytimetoshine

If he's spending all day at school in what's essentially a childcare setting, will he still be expected to do his remote learning from home on his own clock? That might not be well received! Or maybe there's no actual work set for Year 3's?

They will have access to the home learning package whilst at school and whoever supervises them can provide verbal feedback but no teaching.

I would keep him home @ShowOfHands and I have kept DD3 (y6) home. She isn't going to get anything at school that she can't get at home, apart from limited interaction with children not of her choosing. She's very sociable, so would cope with whatever group she's put in, but I can't see how it benefits her. She's able to get her work done, then do whatever she wants afterwards. She is doing acrylic paintings, etc., which she wouldn't have time to do if she went to school.

OP, based on all you have said, I would keep your DS off school until his friends are going back too.

@LilyPond2

OP, based on all you have said, I would keep your DS off school until his friends are going back too.

I agree. I would send my son back like a shot, but your situation sounds very different. Keep him at home.

Thank you for your replies.

You've all really helped