Do you think schools will close again?

[Beebityboo]

I'm disabled and considering removing my DC's from school in the near future. There are various reasons for this but obviously the number one thing I'm worried about is Covid. My DD was terribly unwell last year and I'm terrified to put her at risk again I also don't want to leave them without a mum. Numbers are rising, there is no testing and there are multiple children off in each of their classes. We also live close to an area that has absoloutely exploded in cases this week. I'm completely petrified.
After begging for flexibility and support from the school I've been told their hands are tied. Either send them in or deregister them altogether.
However I'm concerned I'll deregister, then the schools will close anyway and we'll have given up their places at a good school for no reason.
I'm massively struggling at the moment and just really need some advice. Every day I send them in I just feel sick to my stomach.
Please be gentle with me. I don't want schools to close, I just want some flexibility over the winter months.

Sorry OP I feel for you, I also feel for teachers and understand they can’t support occasional home learning alongside the classroom.
How are your children in school ? Happier?
We’re you in the shielding group?

Were you *

I don't think there will be another national closure of schools. However, the chances of individual schools closing due to staffing issues is very likely.

I'm really sorry you're struggling, OP

I think closing schools will be a last resort for the government and they're likely to try everything not to have to close them again. That said, at my school we've been asked if we're 'ready' to go to 50 per cent online and 50 per cent face-to-face, hypothetically. So it's an option that's on the table.

No - I don’t, and I really hope they don’t. I think some schools will have to shut due to outbreaks and/or lack of staff.
I said this on another thread but I really urge you to seek some help for your anxiety because even though you are vulnerable, you are still highly likely to be ok if you get it. It is also much more likely that you won’t get it than you will. I think the amount you worry is disproportionate.

And I say that with total empathy for your feelings - it must be really hard and you deserve to not feel like this.

I don’t think we will see national full time school closures again. We may see more local bubbles or even whole school closure and some kind of flexible learning

@Ickabog

I don't think there will be another national closure of schools. However, the chances of individual schools closing due to staffing issues is very likely.

This is bound to happen and probably soon. Ask your school to see their plans as they have been instructed to do them for three scenarios including this one.

I wasn't in the shielding group, my condition is rare and no one really seems to know what my chances are. Though I know it's like that with mostly everyone when it comes to this virus.
The school said they may have been more flexible if I'd been shielded but as I wasn't the can't do anything.

OP, you’ve been posting about this for weeks. I think you should contact your GP and get some help for your anxiety.

My understanding from your previous posts is that your doctor doesn’t think you’re clinically vulnerable. Imperfect a world that we live in right now, his opinion carries more weight than any of ours.

I don’t think a nation wide closure will happen again, no. If you don’t want to lose the place, you need to send them to school.

I've has mixed messages from Dr's which hasn't been helpful as I don't know where I stand. I really struggle with uncertainty at the best of times.

I think they will close, it wasn't long ago everyone was saying no second wave, no new restrictions, no new furlough - OK this not confirmed yet but looks like there will be a more specific financial support and no national lockdown. Raab said its a possibility, so school closure must be a possibility.

I don’t think they will close

Keep them off. Say they have sickness big this buys you a few days. Then one of them gets a temp that gives you 2 weeks. See what happening by then. Just say you cant get a test if they ask about tests.
Mine havent gone back

Indont think nationally schools will shut down.
A primary school down the road has shut for two weeks because they got multiple positives.

I'm sorry you're struggling. I really really hope they don't close, my DS needs to be at school. I do think the government will do everything they can to avoid school closures.

I think I may do that but am trying to get closer to half term first. I should clarify that my disability isn't a small thing so I don't want it to seem like I'm over reacting.
We're also in an area with steeply rising cases.

I don't think they will close either, sorry. I actually think sending whole bubbles home soon will stop soon and will be limited to close contacts, which I think is meant to happen anyway, but doesn't around me. Unfortunately your only options going forward will be send them in or take them out, you can't keep them off indefinitely. I understand its worrying.

Also want to clarify I am in no way hoping for school closures. I know that most people need them to be open and the best place for children is at school. I just want some flexibility for a few months that's all.

I think that it is unlikely that all schools will shit again. Individuals schools may face to close for periods due to spikes etc.

I suppose it is possible we may even get to the stage where the government activate their tiered response and secondaries go to a rota system but we are probably weeks or even a couple of months from that being needed if at all. I guess it depends how cases rises from now to half term.

Unfortunate typo there

Op it's an anxious time for so many of us, esp those with other conditions and having several myself, non pinned down by doctors I can also understand how frustrating this time is for you.
I would get a different doctor. I would talk to them about how you feel and your over whelming anxiety. Ask them if yiu can have their guarantee that your condition won't put you at greater risk and when they can't ask them for a letter about it and how you feel.
You then may have something to show the school which may give them more leeway.

Don't forget op you can have them off ill if you feel things get too much...
Personally with no vulnerabilities here, except asthmatic dd, I'm grateful for everyday they are in. However, if things get dire again, I've got no compunction to have them out as a tag team with illness until they close...

Im almost hoping for school closures even though I know how difficult it is. Friend sin melbourne have moved to online schooling for months now.

I am high risk but not extremely high risk, but I have several high risk categories so feel v vulnerable with them all together.

I feel like im playing russian roulette with my life sending them into school each day. Nowhere else are any of us in an enclosed room with 30 others. The office is too dangerous, etc we are getting home deliveries on the whole.

It seems really odd that everyone's acting as if schools are safe.

Theres a confirmed case at one school nesr me and the child was asymptomatic (not too sure how she got the test.) And several schools have closed year groups.

I think schools will try to limp along as much and as long as possible.
And yes some schools will insist parents deregulated rather than keep at home.

*deregister