Is anyone NOT sending their children to school in September?

[Greenbutterlfy566]

Is anyone NOT sending their children to school in September?

If a LA doesn’t fine and a parent who is shielding decides to home school in September fair enough.

I very much hope school is back as stated. My teen in particular needs it, although the yr5 hasn’t been since March (he’s a bit better at home school but still needs to go back).

Maybe someone somewhere will bring a test case to challenge a fine in these circs, but that can't happen til one is issued.

We're a household with a shielded person too.

But DC will be going back

Because shielding will be paused then, but we know we'll be the first inside again if case numbers rise so I think getting in at least some schooling is important

@nether yes, I also considered going in in September and being first out if it looks concerning by October!

My DS will be going back to pre-school. He is only 3 and desperately misses it (didn't go back in June and only Key worker and vulnerable children got places due to lack of staff)

[quote bigchris]@TheDrsDocMartens so neither of you need to work in September?

What about socialising with home schooling groups not running ?[/quote]
As I said earlier they will be going back in September as (hopefully) I will have some work (I’m freelance and have lost all my income since Feb). Husband has worked full time throughout.

All I said was I’d enjoyed it. I could do this for another year or 2 (if I didn’t need to earn) but not once dd3 hits secondary.
There’s a lot of home Ed in my local area so think I’d find small groups if needed.

If they were primary, would not be so worried about it.

Secondary, more concerned but have reconciled to sending them back. Ds not engaging with school work, so teaching him with alternative ways. He is least likely to follow safety rules.

DD has been engaging, working hard. Asthma is less of an issue now but we don't have any information on our other conditions yet.

I don't think we would be seen as having legitimate reasons for keeping them off.

We are going back but received a letter from the council today, via the school to say the from September normal attendance rules will apply and you're to send them back.

DD1 has cerebral palsy so is on vulnerable but not shielded list (although the aspects of cp that make someone more at risk of covid complications don't really apply to her - my decision would probably be different if they did) Terrified to be honest but she is also autistic and lockdown has been such a slog for all of us but especially her. She desperately needs her routine and support system at school. Special needs secondary so only 150 pupils and I have every faith in staff to keep her as safe as possible. My main concern is transport

DD1 goes into Y1 in September. Didn't send her in when school reopened as I didn't feel ready (and still don't) but shes lacking socialisation and miserable without her friends.

Im still scared but weighing up my options in a situation where none of them are great. Cases are relatively low where I live and Im just hoping they remain that way as we near September.

This is probably the most lost and unsure of whether my choices are the right ones I have felt as a parent in my entire life

This is probably the most lost and unsure of whether my choices are the right ones I have felt as a parent in my entire life

I said this to my eldest today, exactly this. This is why I feel the English approach is so unkind and so unhelpful, in Wales they are not fining.

Aimee up my feelings too @labyrinthloafer

I just feel so deflated by it all. If I send DC back I am risking vulnerable child and we can't look after them if we get a bad case.

If I don't send back DC loses his place.

What a mess

Sums not Aimee. Not sure how that happened

@oldbagface

Aimee up my feelings too *@labyrinthloafer*

I just feel so deflated by it all. If I send DC back I am risking vulnerable child and we can't look after them if we get a bad case.

If I don't send back DC loses his place.

What a mess

I am not that experienced but there is a process before losing a place. I think we (parents collectively) need some legal guidance really.

It plainly can not be 'i'm concerned' on Monday and 'you have no school place' on Tuesday. I know they've said they'll fine, but there's a process.

@labyrinthloafer throughout I have had calls from the school. I was reassured over and over that they know our circumstances and we will not be fined. This was until recently when that reassurance was watered down and the implication was that we would need to deregister.

I would be much more comfortable if they allowed us to retain the place until the spring term so that we can see how things play out.

[quote oldbagface]@labyrinthloafer throughout I have had calls from the school. I was reassured over and over that they know our circumstances and we will not be fined. This was until recently when that reassurance was watered down and the implication was that we would need to deregister.

I would be much more comfortable if they allowed us to retain the place until the spring term so that we can see how things play out.[/quote]
Do not deregister under pressure without advice.

Parents in England need legal advice I think.

Maybe you should speak to your mp now, rather than wait.

They can't boot you out without a process, is my understanding.

I think parents of children with health concerns might get some insight from learning what happens in cases where schools try to off-roll pupils with complex needs.

I will talk to the head soon but thought I’d go fishing for some information first. Never hurts to ask questions 🤷‍♀️

Dear Sir/Madam,
Hopefully this is something that we won’t need to do, but please can you send me information about deregistering from school and also any information about fines/prosecution should we decide to homeschool in September?
We are able to homeschool and I think there is a strong chance that this may be best for our family, especially if the situation and proposals for the return to school remain as they are.
Many thanks

Ooh. Please come back and tell us what they say @sunseekin

@oldbagface

Ooh. Please come back and tell us what they say *@sunseekin*

Will do, not sure I’ve sent it the right place, I’ll probably end up with a sticker for my green bin 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Looks like where we are, if they are not back in September, it's classed as an unauthorised absence and fines will apply as normal.

sunseekin if you de register your children to homeschool then there are no fines. The government has made it explicit that if you don’t de register the kids but continue to keep them at home you will be fined. De registering is easy, you just need to write a letter to the school. You can google for template letters.

@sunseekin I think you said that someone in your household is shielding? If so, I would make sure that your headteacher is aware of this if they aren't already - it could make a big difference to their response.

@sunseekin it’s irrelevant what the school say, they don’t issue fines the LEA do.

@justdontatme

sunseekin if you de register your children to homeschool then there are no fines. The government has made it explicit that if you don’t de register the kids but continue to keep them at home you will be fined. De registering is easy, you just need to write a letter to the school. You can google for template letters.

I’m not sure that is the case actually, I started another thread on it, I’ll be doing some more investigating 🕵🏼‍♀️