Schoolchildren playing outside together

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My Yr6 is back to school this week and I'm still getting my head around the fact that it turns out they are allowed to play out playing football together in class groups (with hand washing before and after).

I have been following the government advice to the letter so this is a big step for me to take in my stride.

What do other people think to this? Is this just something I need to bloody well get on board with, it's fine, etc etc.

Or should I be taking him back out of school again until the general population is allowed to do this?

It's fine. Our school is not social distancing within each bubble, just making sure that each bubble doesn't mix with any other bubbles.

Yes get on board with it. I bet the kids are over joyed to see all their friends again. From the news update the Gov aims that all kids need to be back in school in September.

That’s the whole point of the bubble idea - that they do not need to maintain full social distancing within the bubble.

It’s fine and you need to get on board with it!

I agree it does seem so bizarre that its fine in school but not anywhere else in society. My Yr 6 child is exactly the same, they can play together in their bubble. In fact he was really freaked out when he went back because he was expecting social distancing all the time, this is what the school had told us but they have clearly relaxed that rule within the bubble.
I don't know what the answer is OP, I just know that my DS is benefiting from the social interaction and the chances of him contracting the virus are pretty low.

It's fine, I think you can relax. Based on the hordes of people shopping and demonstrating and the Covid rate doesnt seem to be going up, I think a game of carefully supervised football with handwashing seems alright.

It's tricky though isn't it, we have got so used to all these new rules, it feels really weird to start letting them go.

Thanks everyone.

OK it sounds like I need to get on board. It is certainly having a HUGE positive impact on his mental health. He has come out of school every day having LOVED it. He's thoroughly enjoying seeing his friends again and I know he was worried previously that his next school experience was going to be 'Big School' so I also know he will be benefiting from these last few weeks of Primary to get a proper leaving experience.

It's just a bit bloody scary for me since it opens the rest of us up to 10 more families, when we've been really careful with opening anything up. But I checked in with him when he got home and he's not worried at all, so I thought right - maybe it's just me and I've just got to get with the programme.

Yes @HathorX - it's tricky letting go of rules we've been told were necessary and are still being told are necessary in every other context. It's weird that he can socialise with his friends in the playground but as soon as he is out of that fence he supposedly can't anymore.

In school - not breaking the rules/law. Out of school - breaking the rules/law. I can't get my head to see that this is safe. But I suppose key worker children have had this dichotomy the whole time. Thinking aloud here. Hm.

Yeah ok. I think I just need to give myself some time to adjust to knowing that this being safe.

Mine is yr6 also and yes they are out doing lots of games, ours did tennis this week, it seems they are getting them outside wherever possible as the risk is lower outside anyway.

I'm glad they are getting some exercise think it will do them good

I have a yr 1 back in a bubble of 13 and a reception child back in a different bubble of 12. Their bubbles aren’t social distancing. For me, the positives that they are gaining from being back in school with their peers outweighs the risk of them bringing Covid into our household.

The benefits to mine have been massive as well. They are in two days a week as I'm a keyworker, and it's done them the world of good

I understand that the risk of transmission is lower outdoors. My DC are so much happier now they are back in school and are allowed to play with their peers again.

Are any of you at risk OP? If not, then all is well. Most people don’t get seriously ill from Covid. Hence why we no longer all have to hide in our houses! Let your kid enjoy the time with his friends!

This shows how the government have confused us. Lockdown isn’t for our personal safety. Kids aren’t banned from playing together for their own safety, they are banned to keep rates down to protect the NHS etc. The more interactions people have, the more chance for virus spread. It’s that simple.

The message seems to have become very confused. Suited the government to get us to lockdown but going to be a problem getting everything started again. As like you say, if it’s safe inside school it’s safe outside. The only difference is one is “allowed” and the other isn’t.

He can have friends round in the garden, so not to tally one rule for one place.

Supposed to keep 2m apart though....

I'm all about protecting the school staff in bubbles. So, mine plays with a couple of her bubble mates on the way home in the park. Not on equipment, they are still closed, butbrunning, football, tree climbing, we bought a slack line that we put up in the park too. I notice that they stay really well apart in the park, and I figure it's not putting staff at any more risk. The parents stand apart and shout at each other!

I'm a TA and we are encouraging social distancing both inside and out whenever possible. It isn't always possible obviously. I can't walk round the classroom, in between tables, help children with their learning and keep 2 metres away. It's just not possible. The kids often forget too and huddle up but we're all trying.

Thanks for all the comments.

@Bol87 - As for being at risk, I have an autoimmune disorder so I was really happy to be locked down while that was appropriate but now that things are opening up, I'm conflicted. The charity that supports people with my condition said we needed to consider ourselves as shielded but later changed that advice. But since then I have read stuff that says people with autoimmune conditions are at greater risk of the excess inflammation which causes a worse effect of Covid-19.

I am trying to balance the question marks over my health needs with the surety of my son's mental health needs. That is, I KNOW this is good for him - I can see it - whereas I don't know if I will catch Covid-19 and I don't know whether I would have it in a mild or severe way if I did.

All the replies so far are saying get with the programme, so that has helped me to get on board - thank you.

The risk is very low. I don’t know stats but I would imagine there are other serious illnesses that are more common and we don’t keep children off school for those. I feel like children need some social interaction now so the benefit would outweigh the risk for me but It’s very important that you’re not left feeling anxious and everyone’s circumstances are different. so it’s up to you to assess the pros/cons for your particular circumstances.

I can see your concern. I think id just hope for the best now that there is not that many weeks left at school and then he'll be off again for the summer. By the time he goes back in September hopefully the R number will be even lower.