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Original poster

Are dc safe at school or are you considering taking them out to teach at home?

102 replies

SistemaAddict · 20/09/2020 10:32

I'm in Greater Manchester and my area is now in the red zone. I'm extremely clinically vulnerable and was shielding from March to August but was told to continue being extremely careful regarding social distancing, hand washing etc.
I have 3dc and am a single/lone parent with no one to help out. One dc at primary school with no social distancing anywhere, a two-way one-way way system that means queuing for around 30 minutes at drop off and pick up mixing with all year groups. The other two dc are in bubbles of around 360 each but their school has taken better measures as far as possible.
Ds at primary managed 3 days before falling ill and passing it to me resulting in 2 courses of steroids and antibiotics as I got a secondary infection 10 days into the virus. We couldn't get tests in the first 5 days.
We are now at the end of the 14 day isolation period. I am still unwell, ds still coughing, sneezing and has a mild fever. Both dds ok but mild fevers. Nothing I would keep them off for normally.
Now that we are in the red zone I am seriously thinking of taking them out of school and using online resources to keep them up to date with their education. I'd rather them be in school but with the local rates and the fact ds and I got ill so quickly after going back and the testing situation I'm thinking we are safer at home.
Is anyone else in a similar position? Have school been supportive?

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 20/09/2020 10:42

Shame you couldn't get tested because if you have/had Covid I would assume you now have some immunity and it would reduce your worry.

You can only make the home school decision yourself with your schools. Talk to your schools see what they offer if anything and make a decision when you have all the information.

Bulblasagne · 20/09/2020 10:53

Do you think you have had it? Can you talk to doctor about anti body test?

In your vulnerable position, I would strongly consider pulling them out.
This is specific to you, your health, your dc and being in a red zone.
The government can't keep you safe.
I guess I'd get as much documentation ready in case they try and fine you?? Ie dc came down ill, off school, me... All this medication...

I pulled mine out before lock down.
Younger dd two weeks before with the schools blessing and older one week.

I'm keeping an eye on the situation. No one is particularly vulnerable (touch wood) in my family but younger dd is prone to wheezes and has an inhaler.

I've been with her, hospitalised, struggling to breath with the ward running out of equipment so from that pov I want to keep her safe.

However, her school, as far as they can are strongly reinforcing the covid message. I'm hoping she will stay in, mixing, socialising etc as much as possible.

Southernsoftie76 · 20/09/2020 10:59

If I was vulnerable I would pull my kids out of school now, end of. I have a feeling it’s going to spiral out of control over the next month. So hoping that the government are going to unpause shielding so families who are vulnerable can keep their kids home without fines.

whyarewehardofthinking · 20/09/2020 11:12

I'd pull them out. I'm teaching in a large secondary in Manchester and my partner in Bolton so I completely understand your position. I would pull ours in that situation. My sister is ECV and she has her children at home; if needs be the family will help her pay the fines. School have also been good and whilst she isn't getting daily lessons (obviously, teachers are teaching) they have given her resources and a roadmap to show what they will be covering.

Schools are trying their absolute best but they aren't COVID secure by a long shot. We are waiting for a large amount of tests from students and staff right now and know it is only a matter of time for year groups to go. My Year 10 is at home herself after the year group was told to isolate.

Beebityboo · 20/09/2020 11:15

I'm in a difficult position with a disability that is too rare for there to be enough data on. It causes blood clots though, as does Covid so I don't think catching it would bode well for me. It also causes mobility issues and I have a Bmi of 35, though I have lost two stone in lockdown.
I desperately didn't want to send them back, but was strong armed in to it. It went okay for the first week but then DS caught a cold. His test (which he found really upsetting) was negative though and the head has helpfully let me know she expects them in tomorrow Hmm.
I'm really really scared. Their schools are very good, highly rated and they are happy in them, but I don't want to die at 33 Sad.
I have no idea what I'm going to do.

doubleshotespresso · 20/09/2020 11:17

I think we are taking the view that if further lockdowns are seen as necessary either nationally or locally in our area then we will pull D.C. out and homeschool. We pulled them out 2 weeks prior to March lockdown, but reluctantly sent them back in September. Don't think it'll be long until we are forced to do the same again sadly.
Just no faith in the figures or systems we are being presented with and unprepared to take the risk at this point when we can successfully do this from home. Sad times.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/09/2020 11:20

I'm happy with DS being at school but I'm not vulnerable and nor is he.

Beebityboo · 20/09/2020 11:20

One of the reasons I sent them back was that I thought more routine and structure would be good for them, but being at school seems more disruptive than being kept at home right now.

Babyfairy0923 · 20/09/2020 11:23

We are in the same position and strongly considering taking them out

Beebityboo · 20/09/2020 11:41

I'm quite tempted to say that DH or I now have symptoms to buy us another couple of weeks but suspect they will know I'm lying. Would feel hideously guilty about lying too. Just rapidly running out of time and options and the anxiety is going to kill me before I can catch the virus at this point.

Satsunday · 20/09/2020 12:16

Similar position and no idea what to do. It is a horrible decision to have to make.

Southernsoftie76 · 20/09/2020 12:17

@Beebityboo please don’t lie, email/call the school and explain your situation and if you want to keep your kids home then tell them that is what you will be doing. Many families will be doing the same over the next couple of weeks, you won’t be the only one. I do really feel for you and others in your situation Flowers

Beebityboo · 20/09/2020 12:24

I have emailed and explained, the head curtly replied that she expects them in tomorrow. So not being left with many options.

MisDescamisados · 20/09/2020 12:34

@Beebityboo

“Strong armed” totally is the term for it, isn’t it? Truancy fines , loss of places ..few things the vulnerable are able to fight.
Oh I know everyone says “just home school” , but the cohort who cannot afford fines are usually the ones with little or no resources - practical and psychological- to do do that.

I’m in a similar position to yourself , but cannot get sheltered status despite lung damage. This also makes work risky to seek right now , and a lot of suitable (Covid low risk) work is shift work . I am a single parent.

I wish I could help but know you’re not alone. I just hope we come out of this - and Brexit - with enough of us remembering enough to bring about a reckoning . Stay strong

ChequerBoard · 20/09/2020 12:51

We're in a similar position. DH is extremely vulnerable (heart failure) and we pulled both DC from school 3 weeks before the national lockdown because of this. School are well aware and have been extremely supportive.

DC went back to school for the start of this term. We felt it was important for them to see friends and teachers while they could, especially as DD is Y13 so an important exam year for her.

Now debating what to do in the next couple of weeks, looking more and more likely that we will have to pull them out again soon.

Original poster
SistemaAddict · 20/09/2020 13:09

I pulled them a week prior to schools closing before. Dd1 is really upset at the thought of not being at school. I feel totally torn.

OP posts:
PinkLegoBrick · 20/09/2020 13:17

It's the teachers and TAs that aren't safe.

Original poster
SistemaAddict · 20/09/2020 13:24

I agree.

OP posts:
TiddleTaddleTat · 20/09/2020 13:28

In a similar position here OP, although I was completely healthy before catching COVID in March. I'm still ill. I don't know what it would do to me if I caught it again. DD will be gutted if we pull her out of school. It's such a mess.

Slumptuous · 20/09/2020 13:46

My Dc are at school. We are not vulnerable, but I still have major concerns about it. I do not feel schools are safe as there is no social distancing, teachers moving between bubbles, ventilation is usually poor and aerosol transmission is the most likely cause of the spread 😖

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/19/scientists-criticise-uks-hands-face-space-campaign-to-control-covid-19-coronavirus

Kmx123 · 20/09/2020 13:54

Im deregistering next week my son is doing online classes enjoys it more and has learnt so much Ive noticed him being happier and more upbeat and is excited to learn i will be keeping him off and re evaluating after the new year we have vulnerable members in the household Also my work have told me not to come to the office and work from home so its the best option for us Do whats best for you i also think it depends a lot on the individual child it would effect my sons mental health going in then being off to have to test like others in his year group had to do after 4 days back he even said he was worried about bringing it home he is happy thats the main thing

Kmx123 · 20/09/2020 13:56

I spoke to someone earlier that has kids in 3 schools ages ranging from nursery to high school imagine how many are in the bubbles she said high school is whole year group

monkeytennis97 · 20/09/2020 13:58

Schools are trying but they are in no way COVID secure. Over 1,000 schools now with cases...

Beebityboo · 20/09/2020 14:18

Does anyone think that they may change it soon so that we have a choice again? My main worry is we deregister and then they do (yet another) u-turn and we will have deregistered for no reason. My eldest has to go to secondary on a packed school bus where barely anyone else is wearing a mask, it's just all so ridiculous. I don't think I've ever felt this angry and this powerless as a parent before, sending them back just feels wrong.

AfolMummy · 20/09/2020 14:22

Someone tested positive at my DCs school this week and we are close to having a local lockdown. I think I'm going to wait a few more weeks but am definitely thinking of pulling them out at some point.

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