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Covid

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Original poster

School advising us to keep our child off in September, anyone else?

48 replies

Ohnoducks · 13/07/2020 13:38

We have had a call from the school to say while government are saying all children should be back in September, for those children who are still on the shielding list at that point, even if it's officially paused, they do not believe it is in their interests to be in the school itself, and will support us to keep our child home (no fines, work packs etc). I'm very relieved to have the option after months of shielding and seeing no one, but it was a bit of a suprise to be honest, has anyone else's shielded child had a similar call?

OP posts:

Uhoh2020 · 13/07/2020 13:53

That's brilliant of the school I'm sure it puts your mind at rest and know they will support you.
I think it's a really good idea for the school to do that they can be better prepared knowing now exactly who cant return, how many to provide extra support for rather than just wondering who does and doesnt turn up in September.

CuppaZa · 13/07/2020 13:58

I thought the local authorities issued fines, not the school?

Keepdistance · 13/07/2020 14:00

I havent got vulnerable child (though they both get very bad coughs after any cold), but i would agree with the school. You cant keep them safe at school because

eg our school is going for bubbles of 60!
circular tables (which they arent supposed to be using
all 60 kids using 3 toilets
the staff have been swapping bubbles
they out the kw kids back in the class bubbles
before and after clubs will be back on in key stages

The only thing being done is staggering pick up/drop off.
So basically FA.
When WHO says it is airborne inside.
Kids will have siblings etc. The 'bubble' is realistically the whole school (plus whoever they all have contact with).

But even with 30 kids plus siblings so a small school even without clubs it isnt safe as you cant control other people's actions. So whilst risk is reduced it is still there.

The measures will make crap all difference and are designed to limit spread not stop you getting it and so that one 'bubble' can shut but not a whole school.
What isnt being considered is

such large bubbles mixing all the normal germs many kids will be off multiple times for testing for non covid temps and coughs. And these will spread pretty much as normal with no SD in schools.

helpmum2003 · 13/07/2020 14:00

What do you think is in the best interests of your child? Have you had medical advice?

KoalasandRabbit · 13/07/2020 14:04

We've not had anything similar but we've been given a parent padlett wall to ask questions and 2 or 3 parents are asking can they keep children off as they don't beleive others have been following lockdown / have asthma / child and parent anxious. Will be interesting to see what reply is as official line is its compulsory. That seems harsh on shielding families though.

Chaotic45 · 13/07/2020 14:05

@Keepdistance great summary of the issues. Do you have any suggestions as to how secondary schools could attempt to go back in a way that you would see as acceptable? Assuming that you want to see children back in mainstream education where possible unless they are in an at risk category.

Helenj1977 · 13/07/2020 14:15

I think that's very good of them.

I'm terrified about sending my yr 8 dd back. They'll all be on buses, in year group bubbles (pointless as mixing on buses) and all in at the same time.

We're not 'vunerable' but I'm still scared.

Do what you need to keep your family safe x

Mumtumwobble · 13/07/2020 14:28

That’s very good of your school. You must feel very relieved to know you will continue to be supported at home.

FishyDuck · 13/07/2020 14:44

I actually think this is really inappropriate on the part of the school. Headteachers are not medical or scientific experts so really they have no basis to decide that it's 'not in the interest' of shielded DC to attend. They really shouldn't br scaremongering like this.

The mental health impact of keeping DC at home indefinitely based on unscientific reasoning will be enormous.

Nurse1980 · 13/07/2020 14:54

Our school have given parents the choice of sending children in, only if the children have been shielding or a parent.

helpmum2003 · 13/07/2020 15:33

My child is shielding and I understand it ends at the end of July?

CV19 will be around for a long time, although less prevalent for now, and I would be concerned about the risks of long term isolation on social and educational development issues.

I would discuss this with your child's Consultant. It's not the place for schools to advise against returning.

AudTheDeepMinded · 13/07/2020 15:36

None of us really knows what September will bring, but I agree that it is not really the school's place to be telling you this. You need specific medical advice pertinent to your particular child's issues.

Jrobhatch29 · 13/07/2020 15:39

@FishyDuck

The mental health impact of keeping DC at home indefinitely based on unscientific reasoning will be enormous.

I agree tbh. It is the decision of the family in consultation with a doctor. The head teacher has no right to be making claims like that with no medical background. You must feel relieved they have given you that option though but I would speak with your childs doctor first.

EducatingArti · 13/07/2020 17:04

I think it is appropriate for schools to say this because school buildings vary so much. It may be that some schools can offer more covid security than others and where schools are not able to do so much in mitigation their own risk assessments may say it is not appropriate for shielding children to be in school.

Sirzy · 13/07/2020 17:07

Surely schools should be putting in measures to keep all children safe not excluding them because of their medical conditions?

My son has been shielding. School have made sure it is as safe as possible for him to return

trinity0097 · 13/07/2020 17:10

Most of the children we have had shielding on the basis of a computer generated letter have had the all clear from their specialist consultants to come back to school, as it’s better for their mental health.

MoreW1ne · 13/07/2020 17:12

Head teacher is ultimately responsible for safeguarding children in their school across all areas, including covid. So actually, yes no only is it their right to do this but also their responsibility.

Of course, theres a difference between offering you the choice and supporting you with work etc. which is what it seems the OP is saying the school has done vs telling you they should stay at home.

Yes, the medical doctors can tell you the risks (and since you're DCs on the shielding list I think they've made that clear) but doctors are actually the ones not in the position to access the risks in a school and they have no idea or control over what will happen/be possible in them.

Should something happen to your child with regards to covid you would want to think the school have done the best they can and given you the best advice they can.

Woodlandtree · 13/07/2020 17:15

I don’t think the school should be making that decision, it’s up to the medical professionals looking after your child.

My DS was shielding but no longer needs to on the advice of his consultant. I wouldn’t be happy if the school asked me not to send him in but I would imagine it would be easier for them not to need to consider how to make the environment safe for vulnerable children.

Uhoh2020 · 13/07/2020 17:16

@Sirzy

Surely schools should be putting in measures to keep all children safe not excluding them because of their medical conditions?

My son has been shielding. School have made sure it is as safe as possible for him to return

In an ideal world yes but they arent miracle workers they have to work with the facilities, building and funds they have got

Keepdistance · 13/07/2020 17:17

I think the gov needs to be honest about the predictions for the second wave.
For many children it is going to be a lot more disruptive emotionally and educationally to go in for 4-6w.
Stop /start or the stress of trying to carry on as normal with England wide rising cases isnt going to be good for many childen.

Secondary i would have gone for not setting etc or mixing classes so teacher moving from class to class.
Of course they haven't really gone back yet so there is no clue how quickly cases will rise.
Educational setting outbreaks have been rising every week since may half term. But will obviously drop over the summer.

labyrinthloafer · 13/07/2020 17:21

@CuppaZa

I thought the local authorities issued fines, not the school?

Heads pass request for action to the LA?

It is good your school is considering and being honest.

For those saying schools must make it safe - they can not, there is a pandemic of a novel virus and short of putting vulnerable children in pods, how can they make it safe?

The government's guidance for schools is basically 'shove em all in and hope for the best'

Llamazoom · 13/07/2020 17:22

Our school have said shielded children or children with shielding parents can continue homeschooling, they will receive support and no fines.

I think it’s fair, if either of mine had medical conditions serious enough for them to shield they would be staying home without a doubt.

Chaotic45 · 13/07/2020 17:24

@Keepdistance I disagree- I'd rather my DC went back for 6 weeks even if after that they had to temporarily close their school / isolate their bubble again.

That six weeks would be pure gold in terms of face to face teaching and being amongst their peers.

SlipperSwan · 13/07/2020 17:28

The government have said that they will not give any funding to schools to pay for Covid-related costs. Some children staying at home is the consequence of that decision.

Harleyisme · 13/07/2020 17:28

@CuppaZa the LA ia responsible for fines but the school has to first refer the child to the LA.

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