Is anyone not sending their secondary school child back initially?

[lastkisstoo]

I've decided to keep my 15 year old home, probably until the October hols to see what happens.

We are in Scotland. What just happened in the pubs in Aberdeen is exactly what I see happening in schools. Mostly young adults, enclosed space, no social distancing.

My child has asthma, and while not on the list for sheltering I still feel is vulnerable enough that I don't want to see him being used as a guinea pig while the government assess just how big the uptick in cases will be on schools re-opening.

@TheKarenWhoKnocks

Right well having listened to r4 and read articles in broadsheets from health experts the last few days I've decided not to send my kids into a building with no social distancing and no ventilation so they're not going back. Isolate for two weeks because one has symptoms, isolate another two weeks because the other has symptoms, then another two weeks because I have symptoms. That's October half term, they'll definitely be closed by then and we as a family won't be responsible for the rise in cases.

Good luck everyone!

I was just thinking that's a great idea as I'm not sending mine back immediately when they open but then realised it won't work as anyone with symptoms now is told to get tested so I'm assuming schools will want proof of test results if kids are staying off due to coronavirus symptoms

I think I'm going to deregister. The article in the paper yesterday blatantly lying to the public about the virus not spreading in schools made me realise how little of a shit the Government give about the safety of teachers and pupils and I don't trust them to keep us safe.
A year of home schooling won't kill them and none of them are in exam years. DH can work at home. I was conflicted at first but it feels like the right thing to do now.

I guess a lot of parents will deregister, however not those in oversubscribed schools.

Ours is literally at the end of our road, and it’s oversubscribed by a long way. Deregistering my children would be effectively removing them for good and resigning myself to them attending other schools across the town (two buses) rather than the ‘outstanding’ school at the end of the road.

@herecomesthsun

We have to consider the virus here.

The virus does not mug people, it does not have good or bad intent, and it does not listen to government directives.

It just spreads wherever it gets the chance because, biologically, that is what very infectious viruses do.

We are planning to send our children in together without adequate social distancing, or face masks etc. This will give it the opportunity to infect all of our young people,including the extremely clinically vulnerable. Many of them, especially in secondary school, especially the extremely clinically vulnerable,will get ill, and some of those will die.

This will also transmit infection to the teachers,especially the older and the extremely clinical vulnerable,who will also get ill ,and more of them will die. Likewise family members.

This is called a scientific understanding of the situation. Trust me,I am a doctor

There is good evidence for transmission in schools from Israel. We are going into the winter months now. The virus likes conditions around 4 degrees C.There is also an issue with travel, especially on buses or trains to secondary schools and colleges. We are also entering flu season.

The virus will not be dissuaded from spread by our political desire for libertarianism, or concerns about children who might be abused etc. The virus will simply do what viruses do, which is infect people. We need to stop it, especially where vulnerable people are concerned. That is the science. It is a very good argument, given the course of the past few months and the mistakes that have been made.

Some posters say they are teachers, and want to dragoon all the kids back. I assume you don´t teach science.

I have absolutely no intention at this time of deregistering. I will bide mt time. Wisely.

This is what stands out to me and makes the most sense. Thank you for sharing this.

True, there isn’t scientific evidence the virus hasn’t mutated but that also doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Increased use of hand sanitiser and general cleanliness can have an affect on viruses and this plus the use of masks is one of the biggest differences between what we are doing now and and not back when deaths from covid were high.

Sky today Sage scientists saying children don't spread the virus and then clarifys that it's PRIMARY children that dont.

What @herecomesthsun said goes double for me.

The scientific reality of situation remains the reality of the situation regardless of what we would want in an ideal world.

The current schools plan will create new community transmission which will lead to hospitalisation for some, death for some, and long term health issues for others.

@ChavvySexPond

What *@herecomesthsun* said goes double for me.

The scientific reality of situation remains the reality of the situation regardless of what we would want in an ideal world.

The current schools plan will create new community transmission which will lead to hospitalisation for some, death for some, and long term health issues for others.

Yes I agree with this. I really really wish it weren't so but science is science.

@ChavvySexPond

What *@herecomesthsun* said goes double for me.

The scientific reality of situation remains the reality of the situation regardless of what we would want in an ideal world.

The current schools plan will create new community transmission which will lead to hospitalisation for some, death for some, and long term health issues for others.

Which is obviously a shame but what realistically can be done to stop that happening? There’s a virus around that will do that no matter what we do as there’s no cure or vaccine. We sadly have to assume that risk, we can’t give kids either no or half an education forever.

@starshine732 I don't think school can legally demand to see test results?

@SengaStrawberry let secondary do blended learning, they don't need childcare and the smaller classes when in school would make up for the lack of time in school (endless studies show that small classes increase attainment) one week learning, one week consolidation at home.
Allow masks in schools, even if not in class they should be used in corridors.
Increase spending in schools so they can afford soap and anti bac, pay for new toilet blocks so there are actually enough sinks. for hand washing. These are not unrealistic expectations, most of Europe are offering this.

[quote latticechaos]@starshine732 I don't think school can legally demand to see test results?[/quote]
Hopefully not but I would have thought they would want some sort of proof

There is also an issue with travel, especially on buses or trains to secondary schools and colleges.

Press release - 8th August.
"Multi-million-pound funding package for school transport"

www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-pound-funding-package-for-school-transport

[quote Clavinova]There is also an issue with travel, especially on buses or trains to secondary schools and colleges.

Press release - 8th August.
"Multi-million-pound funding package for school transport"

www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-pound-funding-package-for-school-transport[/quote]
This might at best prop up existing providers, it won't increase seats.

"This funding will help them create extra capacity and allow hundreds of thousands more students to use alternatives to public transport, while social distancing measures remain in place. We will review further arrangements in the future should it be necessary."

[quote Morfin]@SengaStrawberry let secondary do blended learning, they don't need childcare and the smaller classes when in school would make up for the lack of time in school (endless studies show that small classes increase attainment) one week learning, one week consolidation at home.
Allow masks in schools, even if not in class they should be used in corridors.
Increase spending in schools so they can afford soap and anti bac, pay for new toilet blocks so there are actually enough sinks. for hand washing. These are not unrealistic expectations, most of Europe are offering this.[/quote]
Plenty of them do need childcare . Blended learning is bollocks particularly for those in higher years and in particular subjects that can't be done remotely.

Them and their education is just as important, if not more, than primary-aged children. They are still children.

Mine are going back on Friday (Scotland) and they can't wait.

I'm following the aerosol studies being carried out by scientists all over the world and I am extremely worried about sending my year 11 DS back in September. If he was year 9 or younger I'd keep him off.

For the last couple of months he's been meeting up with a small group of friends outdoors (rural area) for the sake of his mental health, so it's not that I'm completely paranoid. But it worries me greatly to think of 30 kids in a poorly ventilated classroom all day with no masks and no SD. The latest findings from the main study I'm following suggest a maximum of 30 minutes before the room needs to be vacated to allow for a change of air (and that's with HEPA filtration).

@Clavinova

"This funding will help them create extra capacity and allow hundreds of thousands more students to use alternatives to public transport, while social distancing measures remain in place. We will review further arrangements in the future should it be necessary."

Ie, they are going to be riddled with the virus so let's keep them away from the public. Our local bus company has already folded. I will believe this when I see it.

Uni so make sure those subjects are still taught, support those that need childcare get it. My year 8 child already knows the subjects that they will not be taking for GCSE, let them drop dance, history, religious studies, art, graphics, drama, music, let them drop to double science, they can spend a week doing the lessons they will study. I dont agree with shrinking a child's outlook but this would keep.l children in school.

@Nighttimeworries

Uni so make sure those subjects are still taught, support those that need childcare get it. My year 8 child already knows the subjects that they will not be taking for GCSE, let them drop dance, history, religious studies, art, graphics, drama, music, let them drop to double science, they can spend a week doing the lessons they will study. I dont agree with shrinking a child's outlook but this would keep.l children in school.

No it won't because it's unworkable. No one's going to institute your grand plan. LOL @ support for those that need childcare, hasn't been there since looooonnnggg before Covid for those who have children with special needs, support, haahaahaa (reminds me, I need to pay the bill for the private medical appointment my son has next week since the NHS totally failed him).

"Which is obviously a shame but what realistically can be done to stop that happening? There’s a virus around that will do that no matter what we do as there’s no cure or vaccine. We sadly have to assume that risk, we can’t give kids either no or half an education forever."
@SengaStrawberry

It's not a choice between this government plan or nothing.

There are many creative solutions on Mumsnet and out in the world to help the government create a safer, workable plan.