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Original poster

Can year 6 all go to the park after the last day of school?

34 replies

notevenat20 · 05/07/2020 22:31

On the last day of year 6, normally all the children go to the park to celebrate. Can we still do this given that the numbers, including parents, will be over 30. The children will all be from the same school bubble.

OP posts:
gingganggooleywotsit · 05/07/2020 23:13

The play parks are open now so why wouldn't you? Went today with friends and it was fine.

UntamedShrew · 05/07/2020 23:31

Our school did. Unofficially of course. It was outside and they’ve been in school together. At some point you have to weigh up the mental health cost/benefit vs any risk, and everyone has to make a personal decision on that basis. Our class (or those that came, 2 families stayed away) had a lovely time, they really needed it I felt.

Racoonworld · 06/07/2020 08:07

No, gatherings of over 30 are illegal in the UK. Can you do smaller groups, or all go and stay in groups of 6 for a picnic style thing? Otherwise just wait for the next relaxations as presumably they will up the number allowed.

Racoonworld · 06/07/2020 08:09

And what do play parks have to do with it? I’m all for people going out and having a good time safely within the rules, but it’s irresponsible to have a large gathering at the moment, especially if everyone wants their kids back in school full time in September.

BlusteryLake · 06/07/2020 08:09

We are doing it.

Dontknowwhybut · 06/07/2020 08:09

So gatherings of up to 30 are allowed now?

Wishforsnow · 06/07/2020 08:10

Yes they've all been inside together for the last few weeks so can't see an issue

painandmorepain · 06/07/2020 08:15

Surely they havent all been together - they will have been in bubbles of 10 or maximum 15.

Do you mean whole class/whole year group/parents/siblings too?

Do you think they would keep socially distanced on last day at the park unsupervised?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/07/2020 08:17

Well there were more than 30 in the park / playground I went to yesterday so I say yes it’s fine.

NothingIsWrong · 06/07/2020 08:24

If they have all been in the same school bubble and the parents distance, I can't see an issue with that - how is there an increased risk?

megletthesecond · 06/07/2020 08:28

DD's year 6 are doing it. They've not been at school so we're meeting in a large park for them to say goodbye and run around together.

I'm not convinced it's a great idea as I don't want to be near people but it'll be good for her mental health. I'll probably stay in a mask.

ifonly4 · 06/07/2020 08:35

Sorry to say this but I thought it was groups of up to six outside. Best way to celebrate is for your DC to do something with five friends, maybe watching them go off on their own from a distance and then up to six parents meeting in a garden. The police are certainly around a lot more, so be aware of that.

Racoonworld · 06/07/2020 08:52

@Dontknowwhybut only for certain things like wedding ceremonies. For all normal events it’s up to 6 outside with SD, or two households inside with SD.

BlackInk · 06/07/2020 09:47

My DS is coming to the end of yr 6 too, and the planned celebrations seem to be going ahead, with a few concessions to CV.

They are doing water sports on a local lake then a picnic / outdoor disco. We've been told they will be in bubbles of 6 children for the sports and that we should all socially distance for the picnic.

I'm amazed it's going ahead. There will be at least 40 children and 40 parents present, plus some teachers, siblings etc. I was pretty sure that this kind of gathering is against the law, but apparently it's fine as long as we socially distance / sit in groups of 6. I'm not entirely comfortable with it, but don't have the heart to pull him out.

Tinamou · 06/07/2020 09:52

It's still currently against the law. Here's a link to the government guidance:

www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household-from-4-july

FrugiFan · 06/07/2020 09:53

Unfortunately OP it would be classed as a mass gathering as we arent allowed to meet in groups of more than 6, let alone over 30.

However in terms of actual risk if the children are all in one bubble then they could play together, provided the parents socially distance.

It would be up to each family to decide whether they are happy with breaking the law. Although people may feel they have to go along with it even if they're not comfortable with it.

Deliqueen · 06/07/2020 10:00

My daughters school are having an ice cream van on the last day of term and a picnic. Yr 6 are 4 pods of 15 and will all be outside on the big field but in their pods so no different to what they have been doing every day since 1st June. Brilliant idea and I would imagine that instead of all being in the local pub(usual last day in our village!) we will all be at the park!

BiggerBoat1 · 06/07/2020 10:01

Of course you can't!

bathsh3ba · 06/07/2020 10:16

Our school wouldn't sanction any kind of gathering but the parents have arranged for anyone who wants to to meet in the local park after school finishes for a picnic. Total of 30 kids, plus parents. Hadn't occurred to me it was illegal as the parents will keep their distance and the kids stay in the bubbles.

ohthegoats · 06/07/2020 10:33

In a few weeks, those year 6 children will be in bubbles of 260 or something at secondary school. Just do it.

Adults keep out of it though. Obv.

ohthegoats · 06/07/2020 10:36

Oh, and they are not 'meeting', they just happen to all be in the park at the same time.

It makes no sense. None of this makes any sense. I can sit next to my mum on a plane, literally touching elbows, for 20 hours if I want, but I can't go to her house and hug her. I can go to the pub... oh, it's stupid even trying to think slightly about it.

Assess the risk, do what you want. Literally everyone in the Cabinet is doing this.

Angel2702 · 06/07/2020 10:40

Ours are planning to do it 60 kids plus parents. I think it’s madness. Not so much on a risk level as outside spaces out I think it’s very low but think it’s embarrassing for the kids if it gets broken up especially after telling them the rules so often. We are going on holiday the week after and have been being very strict with the rules to ensure we are not a risk to others when we go as we will stay with family.

Haenow · 06/07/2020 11:16

Do you mean a big open space or a playground? The latter may be more of an issue, I’ve heard they’re trying to limit numbers in some places. That said, not sure how’d it be enforced. They could have a picnic in a big open field or similar if they sit on their own blanket, slightly apart.

megletthesecond · 06/07/2020 11:20

hae our one is on a playing field. I've not been going to supermarkets but I think I'm willing to risk it in the open air.

Haenow · 06/07/2020 11:51

@megletthesecond

The ride outside, especially when distancing, is minimal and children that age can understand the need not to be on top of one another.
I’d say the risk was really, really low in a field, to be honest, and I consider myself a cautious person.