Should I consider homeschooling for this academic year?

[purplerain2020]

I have two children aged 8 and 12. My elderly mother lives with us and she has double pneumonia about 10 years ago which left lung scarring so high risk. I work part-time, remotely from home. My eldest son has asthma.

I'm getting increasingly concerned about the return to school and the fact that there seems to be minimal protection for children and teachers. I can't get my head around it be compulsory to wears masks in shops yet unnecessary in schools. I appreciate that there have been few child deaths but they are still capable of being asymptomatic and spreading it at home and in the wider community. I'm not riddled with anxiety about this but more concerned about the on/off school that is likely to take place this academic year.

I'm wondering whether just to cut our losses and withdraw them from school for this academic year. I find all the speculation about schools closing due to outbreaks/ not enough teachers really stressful and I think I'd rather plough that energy into just getting on and educating them myself. They've both excelled during homeschooling and I think in a lot of ways, I would rather be in charge of their education during this time. I can still ensure socialisation but on our terms. Both are on board with it. It would just be for this academic year. I would deregister them if they can't go back to the same schools, so, be it. I've looked into online schools, curriculum resources and private tutors. I'm confident I can do it.

What would you do? Are you considering homeschooling?

I will probably be doing this OP. My DCs are younger, but upper end of primary school (yr 4 and 5). I'm ECV and DW is CV so we'd rather not chance it.

Our plan atm is to see how September goes before sending them, at the very least. Their school were understanding when I took them out early pre-lockdown, and we're in wales so there will be no fines for not sending them ASAP, but if it comes to it they will be de-regged and fully home-schooled.

I am a teacher and have a type 1 child. I would be home schooling if I could afford to. Sadly, I can't so will be taking our chances. I know that statistically it should be fine for us but the 'what if' is a worry and if I could live without it hanging over me, I would. Schools are going to be the next care home scandal in terms of staff illness, long term illness and death in my opinion.

For me, absolutely not. I’m very keen for DS to get back to school for many reasons. But that’s irrelevant to your situation. You have to do what’s right for your family.

If you have the capabilities and ability to home school effectively and that would make you feel more comfortable, then I don’t see the problem.

Have you asked your DC for their thoughts? While I wouldn't chose something based just on their thoughts, I do think at their ages their feelings do have to be taken into consideration.

I would definitely go for it, we are going to do the same probably.

I wouldn’t rush to deregister though - I can’t see it being necessary.

They’d never admit it now, but I think they’re more likely to be asking those that can, to homeschool by October half term.

Most schools aren’t going to want to lose funding or have to enrol and get to know / support new students during a pandemic. Most schools will want to support their current communities.

You’re not being unreasonable.

I’m watching and waiting but will be deregistering as a last resort. I refuse to be made to feel silly or like I’m over-reacting. I found Gavin Williamson’s comments to be bordering on bullying - a blanket announcement on compulsory attendance with a threat of fines is unacceptable in the middle of a pandemic. Especially when pretty much everyone is facing financial uncertainty. Actually it is bullying.

Whilst I’ve accepted I might need to deregister and have pretty much 100% decided to homeschool, I’m still obsessing about school plans!

So, I know what you mean about the stress of schools returning etc but I don’t think that would end if you deregistered.

We all have people we know and care about in schools. And most of us worry about society as a whole and care about the teachers and students that need to be there (be it for jobs or mental health or socialisation etc etc).

I want schools to be as safe as reasonably possible, for my friends, family, teachers and society as a whole in attendance.

And I worry about the NHS; about what will happen if we put a lot of asymptomatic children in a classroom as autumn approaches?? I wonder how quickly a seemingly low risk situation could change.

I don’t understand why they are intent on a bullish, cavalier and reckless approach. It feels like bravado tbh. I can imagine them in the union bar thirty years ago and I don’t think we would have been friends!

Or maybe it’s bartering? Go in with a ridiculous offer and hope to make a few concessions but largely get your own way???

Or they’re just waiting to blame someone else - be it unions, teachers or parents. Whatever it is they’re up to, these current plans are a farce.

Nobody really knows what the Autumn will bring, it’s not unreasonable to expect a more cautious approach, complete with choice for families, providing a safe, education was being provided.

The attendance policy states that you can keep your children off for exceptional circumstances. This still feels pretty exceptional to me.

I know what best for my children at the moment. Maybe I’ll need to reassess in the Spring but I’m hoping things will be brighter or at least clearer.

It’s a rock and a hard place but as parents we are placed to find our families’ best compromises.

Excuse the rant, I could have just said I know exactly why you mean 😂😂😂

I might consider it if my son was younger - not because I am worried about him catching it or passing it on, but because there could well be some disruption over the next academic year and it would probably make sense to cut losses and enrol with Inter High or similar. Also he wasn't that happy at his secondary school anyway so he wouldn't' have been bothered about being deregistered.

As for the "isolating with a sore throat" I think there is going to have to be some common sense applied with testing. Negative test plus feeling well enough to work = go back to work, rather than assuming the test is always wrong. If it's wrong why bother doing them in the first place?

Personally, no way. My school age DC is not of a personality type to listen to me and frankly term starting (Scotland) might just come in time to save both of us from a complete breakdown. She also needs more variety of company than we can provide through family and friends!