Taking my DC's out of school for a year, please help me to decide!

[Beebityboo]

I was supposed to be going to university next year when the DC's were all back in school. However I'm considering giving up my place and home educating my DC's for a year instead.

I have a disability that makes me vulnerable to Covid and my youngest DD has a terrible immune system that saw her frequently hospitalised last year (they even told us she may have leukaemia at one point).

My eldest has Aspergers and will struggle with wearing masks on the bus 45 minutes each way. She has loved being at home though and would quite happily never go back.

Secondary school plans don't feel at all safe to me. We don't know enough about the long term effects of this virus to be taking a punt which is what the secondary school guidelines feel like.

I'm strongly considering home schooling my DC's for the whole of the next academic year until (hopefully) the worst of the virus is long past and school is more "normal" than it will be next year.

I'd really like some opinions as to whether I'm doing the right thing. I have never been so unsure as a parent before.

I should also add that we have home schooled my eldest before at the tail end of year six when we removed her due to bullying, so it isn't a completely new thing for us.

It sounds like it could be a sensible plan for your family.
You understand the kids school places cant be held for the year, and when you wish to return, you will be offered schools with spaces, not necessarily the schools they are at now?

Can you defer a place at uni?

Can you easily get their school places back?

What if they want to continue this beyond a year?

I work in a school but in your situation would seriously be considering what you suggest. It sounds good for your situation.

Yes, we'd be giving up their school places and moving to a different area before they started again in 2021. It's very sad as their schools are great but it just doesn't feel right to be sending them back. I probably wouldn't defer my place but maybe try the OU instead when everything has calmed down.

In your circumstances it may be the right thing - I’m sure other families who have a vulnerable person will need to make similar decisions. That said, I’d be concerned about the impact that missing a whole year (well, it’ll be 18 months really, if you’re sending them back sept 21) of socialisation would do to kids of any age - I’m assuming you’ll generally be isolating during this period? Very hard decisions.

I think your child with Aspergers would have an exemption from wearing a mask. Although obviously 45 minutes on a bus without one isn’t ideal, either, even without a vulnerable parent.

And as a pp says, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your school places back.

Is it worth talking to their school first about your worries before making a decision? Is it generally a supportive school? Treatment for CV patients seem to be moving quite quickly, not to mention a possible vaccine by autumn. If you are able to, say, negotiate a term or half term of home learning because of your health circumstances, perhaps by January you’ll feel happier to send them.

Both of their schools say they expect them in or fines will be issued, and if they make an exception for me they'd have to make one for everyone that wanted to keep them at home. I understand, but I'm very sad about it.
None of them are in exam years or anything and my eldest is quite self motivated so I'm not too worried about them falling behind academically.

Yes we'd be isolating more or less as DH works from home. They're a tight knit bunch though so don't really worry about them getting lonely.

Does your child with Aspergers have an EHCP?

Changes things slightly in terms of the process but if not I'd go for it, especially if you are planning on moving areas anyway

No, no EHCP yet as it is a really recent diagnosis and she had just started at a new school so nothing was in place.

My only concern if it were me would be educating the older child. Don't know how old he is but even it its not exam year they still prep towards final gcse year all throughout the school. I'd also worry about how easy they would re integrate into a new school in a years time. On the other hand I know that its the high school environment that's worrying you the most, not an easy decision for you to make.

@Beebityboo

Yes we'd be isolating more or less as DH works from home. They're a tight knit bunch though so don't really worry about them getting lonely.

I am all for home Ed and it’s very much on the cards for DS down the line. However this rings alarm bells to me.

Home Ed shouldn’t be about being isolated and isolating away from the world for over a year isn’t healthy for anyone especially not children.

Sounds right for your family. Ywnbu to do it.

Ah but I would agree with sirzy that I wouldn’t completely isolate them for a whole year.....

Not completely isolate but obviously there won't be the same groups etc on that there are for home ed families.

I'm not planning on locking them inside for a year, just not sending them to school.

What years are they in?

They'll be going in to years 1, 5 and 8

I understand why you want to, and completely respect your decision. I would be wary of not attending groups/museums/galleries/days out etc as part of their education.

As lockdown eases there’ll be a similar amount of people in these places to schools, but you’ll have less knowledge of where they’re been, what they’ve been doing.

HE works extremely well, but children do need learning experiences outside of the home for a rounded education. Avoiding all that is going to set them back I feel. But that is only my opinion!

I think, and especially with such a range of ages, that if you do go ahead and do it that you need to have a proper plan in place how you are going to ensure that their social development is properly supported, and how you will ensure they stay at a level educationally. Otherwise it could just be creating another massive issue when trying to get them back into school after 18 months out.

Don’t let it just be a decision led by fear

But I am afraid, really afraid . I'm not sure with my health problems I will survive if I get Covid, and DD2 was so so sick last year I can't imagine having to go through it again.
I just want us all to be safe and if they go back to school I won't be able to do that.
It's a really hard decision but I have to be honest about why I'm considering it and fear of getting this bloody virus is definitely the major factor.

I would ask a medical professional about yours and your dc risks to Covid. Would all
your dc be happy to be home schooled? You have to do what is right for all of you, and for your peace of mind.

My DC's have no physical health problems other than my youngest having a really terrible immune system. We are seeing specialists etc but it's all been put on hold.
My condition is incredibly rare and caused by a birth defect so no one can tell me what will happen other than my being much more at risk of blood clots than other people.
All my DC's are happy with the idea of being home schooled for a while.
It's just so hard to know what to do

Number of issues come to mind : will they lose their place at their current school , if they do then then the authorities will place them where ever they can. They may be at differing levels academically to their class mates and have problems adjusting.. They will lose out on daily interaction with their friends.

We've only lived in this area for a year and none of them have been particularly happy or made any strong friendships and they are all keen to move away so the friendship thing isn't really an issue.
They would be giving up their places at their current schools and we would reapply for school places next next year in our new area.