State schools must stay open but private schools can close early

[Lumene]

This seems really wrong to me. Kids I know at private school has their last day yesterday, so a clear run until Christmas. But the government is forcing state schools to stay open, meaning parents have a legal obligation to send their kids in.

This means if you pay you can safely see your family at Christmas but if you don’t then you can’t unless you break the law and face a fine.

@wondersun I happen to know quite a lot of families of MPs.

None of their kids are in private schools. They’re in local state schools- either in London or in the constituency.

Sweeping statements like ‘MPs kids are all at private schools’ is just silly.

Private schools have always had longer holidays- partly because they usually do longer hours, and often have Saturday school.

They don’t have to follow the national curriculum either.

State secondary here. We had a lot of cases so headteacher spoke to public health England and we are now closed until after Christmas.

Our head has been regularly in her connect with public health England throughout this time. I get the impression that some schools are just talking to LEA or department of education. They really are not the ones to make this call.
We also now have are own covid testing day this week too.

@PixellatedPixie have you even read that post ? Eton were not finishing until next week.
That’s good that they can close earlier and protect those in their community why don’t you think that should be the same for state schools ?

[quote starrynight19]@PixellatedPixie have you even read that post ? Eton were not finishing until next week.
That’s good that they can close earlier and protect those in their community why don’t you think that should be the same for state schools ?[/quote]
BECAUSE THEY ARE CLASSED AS A RESIDENTIAL SETTING FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME

I must have sent my dd to a weird private school then as they have informed me they will not be taking government advice and closing on the 17th but will be sticking to their term dates and closing on the 18th!

What about the private schools (non residential) in my town that closed a week earlier than scheduled? Three of them.

@donkeysliveaverylongtime

What about the private schools (non residential) in my town that closed a week earlier than scheduled? Three of them.

Are people genuinely just realising what being an "independent" school means?

Welcome to the world.

If state schools had closed this week there would have been absolute outrage on here about children missing education and parents not being able to go to work.

If you don't want your kids in school next week, don't send them.

So patronising. You have no idea what 'world' I inhabit.

I don't think anyone is saying they aren't doing the right thing. It's the idea that the DfE is threatening state schools who try to also do the right thing.

Meantime universities and FE colleges were encouraged/instructed to also close early.

@donkeysliveaverylongtime

So patronising. You have no idea what 'world' I inhabit.

I don't think anyone is saying they aren't doing the right thing. It's the idea that the DfE is threatening state schools who try to also do the right thing.

Meantime universities and FE colleges were encouraged/instructed to also close early.

Then send your children privately. Otherwise what private schools do is none of your concern.

No jealously here. Yet another derailment.

[quote GeneticTest]@wondersun I happen to know quite a lot of families of MPs.

None of their kids are in private schools. They’re in local state schools- either in London or in the constituency.

Sweeping statements like ‘MPs kids are all at private schools’ is just silly.

Private schools have always had longer holidays- partly because they usually do longer hours, and often have Saturday school.

They don’t have to follow the national curriculum either. [/quote]
Now I feel silly (I don’t).

Night now, there is no way this thread is real.

mia : you know nothing about my children?

If this thread is annoying you as much as it is me, it’s worth popping over to this post and read some posts from actual, sane real people.

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3535507603151665&id=116423535060106

One more - the posts talking about “private schools being none of your concern” with the subtext of “but we own you”.
Vote with your feet people!

Promise I’m going now 😂 👋🏻

Lol at the increasing snowball of defensiveness from private school parents.

My point is that if it’s OK for private schools to do this there’s clearly no reason in and of itself not to let all schools do it. So why is the government threatening state schools who are trying to?

My children broke up on Friday, but they always have almost four weeks off at Christmas (they go back on 7th January). The term dates for this academic year were set 18 months ago and haven't changed so it's nothing to do with Covid.

Prep schools usually finish after 5pm and are usually six day weeks so the term may be shorter but the days are much longer. Nothing to do with COVID.

Why not just let them close if parents are happy? Private schools have closed already, why can’t state schools decide to do this?

Private schools generally pack in more work during term time which allows for longer holidays. Looking at the loss of education for state school kids already this year, I don't want an early closure.

Independent schools broke up as scheduled, having done longer days all term. It's normal. Covid hasn't made any difference to our school

State schools have funding agreements that legally contract them to open for 195 days. Their per pupil funding is calculated on that basis. Independent schools are not bound by such contractual arrangements and can therefore choose when they close.

Rich people getting a better deal than ordinary people shocker

@Lumene ‘state schools have longer holidays and finish earlier’

I won’t be as rude as to insert capital letters here as I assume I can convey my point without it.
Likewise I won’t tell people where they can post or even what they can think about because they don’t agree with my point of view. It’s quite patronising.

Agree with this:

I don't think anyone is saying they aren't doing the right thing. It's the idea that the DfE is threatening state schools who try to also do the right thing.

And to the poster who responded ‘so send your kids to private school then.’ Are you seriously suggesting that everyone concerned with how state schools are operating should just send their child to a private school, problem solved?

Sorry private