Scottish Mums. How has the first week in school been?

[Uhoh2020]

Just wondered how parents and children in Scotland feel the return to school has gone?
If you were apprehensive beforehand, are you now more relaxed or even more anxious?
How have the children dealt with any changes the school has put in place?

My DC went back in June although there was only around 7 or 8 in each of their classes/bubbles. They loved it absolutely no regrets sending them back but I'm aware it will be different again come September.

Has gone fine (Primary). Bit of a faff around the new dropoff and pickup procedures but nothing major. DC thrilled to be back, some eye-rolling over the amount of handwashing but excited that they get their own pens and pencils rather than sharing from one pot on the table, don’t report any other differences.

He’s only had a day and a half but really loved it. No issues at all with the Covid measures, just happy to be back.
Was utterly exhausted though which shows the damage lockdown and spending his holidays with two wfh parents has done to his stamina!!

Mine have been in 2 days this week - 1 Wednesday/Friday, the other Thursday/Friday. Has been hard getting dd (16) out if bed as she's used to staying up late and sleeping until lunchtime.

Its been a bit of a shambles - classes and timetables not right. Dd has only had 1 proper class as her other advanced higher subjects would normally be taken at consortium schools and they cant travel to them so she hasn't had any work or even an idea of what is happening/going to happen with them.

They have to go in different doors for different subjects and there's a one way system and they have to sanitise their hands a lot.

It's been a staggered start so kids have only actually been in one day this week. There are quite a few changes to the way the school day works, but my kids have been fine and and both delighted to be back. My kids are primary.

My sons been full time since Wednesday. Nothing changed. He still “did nothing” all day and “can’t remember” anything Much like his rhetoric since p1 🤷‍♀️

One p7 stressed about the changes and hates class bubble restrictions - not being able to play freely or with friends out with the class. Had anxious stomach pains and we are Considering a phased return style week for her to ease back in.
Ds p4 is delighted to be back and taken it all in his stride.

Lots of changes but the kids are dealing with them okay on the whole. They are at a small primary school, five classrooms. They all eat lunch at their desk or outside. They all have their own seat and desks spread out around the classroom but next to two or three other kids. More sitting still, less resources to use. Everything must be cleaned between use eg scissors. Lots of hand washing, not allowed to bring anything from home except pencil case which must not be taken out of bag at home. No filling up of water bottles (ridiculous rule in the very hot weather). Pe will be outside when/if it happens. Queuing up and entering grounds all changed. The worst change is that the playground is split into five areas, one for each class and you aren’t allowed out of your small area, one child has grass the other just a concrete block
P4 is much happier now he is back and p6 is more grumpy 😬

Mine loved it, both have said they are so glad to being back to some sort of normality, seeing their friends etc. My DS said he didn’t think he could cope much longer not being at school.

I’m a high school teacher. Was very anxious before hand and some of those fears have played out. It’s impossible for teachers to socially distance and a tiny minority are wearing masks. Kids are being kept in bubbles in the same classroom for hours at a time with teachers hot-desking I.e. spreading germs all over the place.

Kids have been very good at wiping desks and sanitising hands though.

In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before case numbers rise. However, it has been great to see the students and teach again!

Absolutely fine and happy to be back.

2 at primary, small rural primary school will no separate drop off times or anything but social distancing for parents at gate even though very few parents hang around after drop off as most work. Increased hand hygiene, lunches in class rooms, no pencil cases etc but can take bags

1 DC at secondary, can wear masks if they want, wears a mask on bus and sanitising hands a lot.

Rural area which had very few cases/deaths, during whole time. March - now

My P5 is delighted to be back. I didn't even notice a change in her previous but she has been so much happier and chattier since Wednesday. She's been back full time for 3 days now. No changes at school other than lunch in classroom and no parents in school ground. I'm so happy for her to be playing with her friends again. There is such a difference in her.

Been back 3 days, and all seems well. It has been well organised by the school, and DC seems happy. (Like a PP, he "Did nothing really" and "can't remember ")

It’s been fine. According to Travelling tabby only 2 cases in my authority all week so hopefully the chances of one in our school are low!

Had one starting s1 who has been in 3 days and one returning for s3 who went back today. Both enjoyed it and seem happy.

I’m a teacher (secondary) and a mum. My children’s school certainly appear to be doing a great job. It’s a small school so they can socially distance & their class is their ‘bubble’ so they’re not allowed to play with siblings/friends in other classes. Fine by me. They were so delighted to see their friends & teachers again. I was a bit teary seeing them off the first morning. 😢

Secondary school where I work; all bets are off! 😡😔

My p3 told me tonight that it was so great to be back she “nearly lost her mind” Doesn’t even mind that they can only play with their own class at playtime.

My dad has been in for three days, S1. He's been happy/tired. Asv far as I'm aware it's a I've way system in corridors, hand sanitizers in use in every class and he cleans desks before and after. Apart from that it seems to be business as usual. No bubbles, no SD amongst children, he's been to assembly. I've been very careful throughout, but I'm making a huge effort to be more relaxed about it. In one hand in watching NS berating pub goers for not distancing and telling us how the virus hasn't gone away, but in there other hand I'm sending my dad to school where there is no SD. I'm not optimistic it'll go well.

*ds, not dad!

@thisyearsuckssofar

*ds, not dad!

Thought you sounded like a grown up!😂

Mines have been back 3 days (primary). The only difference is the constant handwashing and lunch in classrooms. They are enjoying have lunch delivered to the classroom tho as they aren't being rushed to eat.

Playground is just as normal, we were told to social distance but no-one has took any notice and have gathered round in the cliques they were in before.

@Kerzel

I’m a high school teacher. Was very anxious before hand and some of those fears have played out. It’s impossible for teachers to socially distance and a tiny minority are wearing masks. Kids are being kept in bubbles in the same classroom for hours at a time with teachers hot-desking I.e. spreading germs all over the place.

Kids have been very good at wiping desks and sanitising hands though.

In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before case numbers rise. However, it has been great to see the students and teach again!

This. As a teacher, its hard to SD. No mask wearing. When I am in school it doesn't feel that much is different. That worries me. Some staff NOT remembering to SD from me. For my children, all of the above. It is however a matter of time, esp in Autumn/Winter.

@thisyearsuckssofar

My dad has been in for three days, S1. He's been happy/tired. Asv far as I'm aware it's a I've way system in corridors, hand sanitizers in use in every class and he cleans desks before and after. Apart from that it seems to be business as usual. No bubbles, no SD amongst children, he's been to assembly. I've been very careful throughout, but I'm making a huge effort to be more relaxed about it. In one hand in watching NS berating pub goers for not distancing and telling us how the virus hasn't gone away, but in there other hand I'm sending my dad to school where there is no SD. I'm not optimistic it'll go well.

If its Scotland there should be NO assemblies!

I'm glad your children on the whole have enjoyed being back in school. Long may it continue 🤞

My DSs school has introduced quadruple periods to minimise pupils moving around, not too bad for DS who is doing two creative subjects but his friend doing three science Highers is groaning about Quadruple physics on Monday morning! Im assuming this is mostly senior pupils, i cant imagine the younger ones coping. No leaving the campus at lunch so back to making packed lunches for me, urghh.

I live in another country where the kids went back to school in the spring

Watch out for sore/dry hands! The amount of hand washing they have to do can cause skin problems . .

My primary DC loved their first days back, though only had 1 day each last week. They are at a tiny rural school and

• their class is their bubble, no mixing with the other class and seperate playground areas, toilets etc (there are only 2 classes anyway!)
• teacher of the big class wears a mask
• lunch at desk
• no assembly
• staggered drop off/pick up
• no shared pens etc