Is anyone NOT sending their children to school in September?

[Greenbutterlfy566]

Is anyone NOT sending their children to school in September?

I’ve not quite decided. High schools are huge places and the safety guidance for other places doesn’t seem to apply to schools so the children and staff are much more at risk than most other places.

It’s a whole heap of trust, trust that parents won’t send their children in ill, trust they have been following the rules, strict hygiene following etc.

Given many seem to have given up social distancing weeks ago, it’s very likely other guidelines aren’t being followed either.

Undecided here. My child is moving up to secondary and they've told us not to bother buying full uniform just yet as they don't know if they'll even be letting all kids in full time. It doesn't fill me with confidence, really.

I’m undecided. I’m having a section last week of August and my baby may need NICU care. If that happens then no way, I’m not taking the risk of not being able to visit my baby.

But also not happy with 6 year old returning a few days after I’ve had major surgery and with a newborn.

I’m so torn.

It’s not a huge deal for Dd - due to a house move she’s not actually been at school since January anyway. She was supposed to start the week of lockdown so that never happened. So it’s not like she’s missing her friends or teachers as she’s never actually set foot in the place yet.

I home educated my eldest though primary too so I’m very use to home ed if I need to continue.

The school is currently open full time to all year groups though so there’s no doubt they will be open full time in sept.

I think I will, but part of me want to keep him home. It's secondary. My dc has weak immune system so he is quite worried. He says he will wear masks, but I am worried that he get teased to give up wearing them. But then, if everyone isn't wearing a mask, then him wearing won't make much difference anyway, since it's not to protect you, it's to minimise spreading.

Seriously considering deregistering my three. The worry about sending them back is literally making me sick (have a disability that makes me vulnerable to Covid).

It will be devastating to have to do it because they are in fantastic schools and I was finally going back to uni in September which I'll have to give up on. I just don't see a choice.

If it was just the two younger ones then maybe but I have a DD in secondary who has to get a packed school bus 45m each way.

I really, really don't know what to do. Currently not sleeping due to worrying about it.

Forgot to mention I also have a 17 year old. I’m a bit screwed with him as if he didn’t go back to college he’d have to leave his btec course. He will be back to travelling and hour each way on a packed college coach.

I thought kids had to go back unless they are vulnerable in some way and if you keep them off you risk being fined. Is this the case? I haven't read too much about it yet but the closer the return to school date gets the more I'm questioning just how safe it will be.

I am worried sick too. I really want DC back in school but it's a secondary with thousands of pupils.

DH and I have decided we will deregister and home educate. We are already planning work and sorting out exam centres for when DC is old enough to sit them.

I would say if your kids are in secondary then make a choice quick and start planning.

We are lucky as my dm is a retired teacher and will be heavily involved.

@daisychain1620

I thought kids had to go back unless they are vulnerable in some way and if you keep them off you risk being fined. Is this the case? I haven't read too much about it yet but the closer the return to school date gets the more I'm questioning just how safe it will be.

Yes, my Dd school have made it clear that there will be fines. So I’ll deregister her if needs be.

Ds college have also said that non attendance will mean they lose their place on their course. Which is obviously trickier.

If you decide not to send your children back in September you will have to de-register them as the government have made it quite clear that they are expecting all children to be back in school again and it will be a legal requirement for them to attend.

I believe there are some exceptions for children who are extremely high risk but the expectation is that even children who have been shielding up to now will be back at school in September

We will be and I'll be back at work in a large secondary. But we don't have anyone vulnerable in our immediate family.

Absolutely going back. Youngest is going back (Yr 9) and the eldest back to College.

They are both desperate to get back in and we are more than comfortable with them going.

Absolutely sending them back! Is it wrong to be counting the weeks down?

My child went back in June just for a few days a week, and the difference in them was HUGE - I hadn't realised how unhappy he was until I saw him come skipping out of school full of excitement and chattering endlessly again. No way I'll be depriving him of that again unless we have to.

Sending them back. Happy with the plans their Primary School has sent out. I admit I would be more hesitant with a Yr7 or 8 child. (Older than that the educational need would tip the balance)

I am. My son is high risk and has been shielding but for the sake of his mental and social health he needs to go back. I have spoken at length to the school (primary) and I am more than confident he will be as safe as possible

I wouldn't. Covid 19 has mutated and I have heard the virus has machine guns that go after people with no underlying health issues

No question of them not going back!! I can't wait for them to be back in school, they need structure, to socialise and most importantly, to be taught with their peers by teachers.

I have been out at work full time during the school closures. My 3 have worked for a few hours, every weekday, doing the online learning sent from their schools.
By the end of term, they were totally and completely unmotivated. They have lost touch with school and they have really missed it.

I want them back for their benefit. I see the risks of children being left at home as far greater than the potential risks of COVID.

God yes. I can’t bloody wait!!

I very nearly deregistered mine.
He struggles in school but was coming on leaps and bounds with home learning.
We're giving it one last go and being MUCH more assertive about his needs.

@Juststopswimming 41 days 18 hours
I sent my youngest 2 back in June so of course will be sending them in September. Eldest will return to high school.
Yes it was very different in June compared to what they left in March but they just accepted the changes and carried on and enjoyed being in school again and I'm happy with the measures put in place for September.
Slightly more apprehensive about the high school return but home educating GCSE is not an option so he will have to go back.
Theres no medical reason for me not to send them back but I'm not naive to think there isn't risk involved.

I'm very worried about it, ds has conplex needs and is medically vulnerable so has been shielding.

We went in yesterday to take photos to support his return in September and it was apparent that there will be no social distancing, and there are the usual crowds of parents around the school gate.

I have little faith in this government making the right decisions, our faith in the school is not great (due to difficulties we have had in the past getting the right support for ds) and it pisses me off that if we as a family make the decision to keep ds home we will be fined.

Yr 3 & 5 definitely going back here!

Do a quick search OP. Loads of threads on this subject