So scared about sending children back to school in January

[SoscaredforJan]

Just that really. I just about survived the stress of this term, knowing that they could bring it home to their vulnerable family. They are only primary but the latest ONS survey shows primary cases shooting up. With everyone mingling at Xmas and cases pretty much back up to what it was pre lockdown 2 I’m petrified.

What will the numbers be like in Jan if we carry on like this? Will there be another lockdown? Will there come a point when they will close schools or make them safer as they just seem to be making them plough on regardless.

No way will primaries close. And they will do everything to keep the secondaries open too.

All the evidence is showing that the school closures have been damaging to children and young people's education and well being and the damage will take years to repair.

Given the very low risk to them from COVID and the high risk of damage from not going to school - the schools will stay open.

@GintyMcGinty I really hope you are right. It scares me to think schools closing again is a possibility. They should never have been shut (to the majority) for so long before.

So don't send them back and educate them at home. Your choice.

Those of us who have older teenagers who are facing a second year of exam cancellations, uncertainty and who are studying subjects parents have no idea about need them to be in school.

I think it will actually be ‘safer’ in Jan than December because even if people do mix three ‘bubbles’ without school children travelling to work dnd lots of other workplaces closed there are fewer contacts overall. There is nowhere to go other than people’s houses or outdoors. Also progressively more people are being vaccinated with those most likely to be hospitalised being first on the queue. For those who are terrified then deregister and keep the kids at hone till you are vaccinated.
There is less and less reason to close schools - just won’t happen.

@GintyMcGinty I hope you are right. I'm despairing at the thought of school closing again, I just cannot work if that happens. I was forced onto furlough last time and I'm only on minumum wage as it is.

Lots of teachers came home from school with tests to be taken from 28th to 30th December. It is voluntary but we had to sign for them so be ready for three results of this.

1. Teachers are cowards who wanted testing then refused it.
2. Not many positives so schools are still safe COVID free magical places where children can also now be tested.
3. Lots of positives so schools closed thanks to teachers partying over the holidays and not doing proper SDing so it's their fault the government can't keep all the schools open like they want to.

Which one will happen I wonder?

@TimeForLunch

So keep your children off. No one's going to fine you under the current circumstances. Just say you're all isolating. But please don't expect the schools to close for everyone else. Schools are essential and online learning is no substitute.

people are being fined

@herecomestheSon

TimeForLunch
So keep your children off. No one's going to fine you under the current circumstances. Just say you're all isolating. But please don't expect the schools to close for everyone else. Schools are essential and online learning is no substitute.
people are being fined

+++++

Then simply de register your children from the school that way you cannot be fined.

[quote 1dayatatime]@herecomestheSon

TimeForLunch
So keep your children off. No one's going to fine you under the current circumstances. Just say you're all isolating. But please don't expect the schools to close for everyone else. Schools are essential and online learning is no substitute.
people are being fined

+++++

Then simply de register your children from the school that way you cannot be fined.[/quote]
fuck off

To elaborate on that

• CEV families need to be able to distance from this current shit show. If they can't, there will be dead parents and close family members

• WHY should our kids lose their school places because of this government's incompetence in managing simple issues like this

-It is a human rights issue

I don't even particularly want schools to shut. I want us (my family) all to survive till the winter is past and we can take stock again. The vaccine might help with that.

I have not the slightest intention of deregistering my kids. So quit with the goady fuckery.

[quote 1dayatatime]@herecomestheSon

TimeForLunch
So keep your children off. No one's going to fine you under the current circumstances. Just say you're all isolating. But please don't expect the schools to close for everyone else. Schools are essential and online learning is no substitute.
people are being fined

+++++

Then simply de register your children from the school that way you cannot be fined.[/quote]
To quote herecomesthesun

fuck off

Mine will all be off I’m not sending them as the schools aren’t fining us as they understand

needabus it's the Local Authority who do the fining and the DfE are pressuring them on school attendance figures.

...and my elaboration on that

My ds is medically vulnerable, we have jumped through many hoops this term in order to maintain a good relationship with school. On his Drs advice he has been remote learning. I am aware we are lucky, I have friends whose children are also medically vulnerable, but who haven't been able to get a letter from their medical team, or who have been waiting weeks for a call back, they are stuck ...what do you think their chances are now, over Christmas?

School are now saying ds should be back straight after Christmas, Dr says no, we haven't heard back from school, but I know that they have been having meetings with the educational welfare officers.

Can you imagine for a second how stressful this is? 'Deregister!' you blithely say....after years of trying to get the right support in place, after years of fighting to get a decent EHCP....jeapordise all of that by deregistering.

Just think for a second.

Schools don’t have to report the absences to the LA they can authorise themselves as covid related and the headteacher then doesn’t notify the LA to fine the parents
Schools have the authority to decide whether to refer to the LA or not and we’ve found then to be understanding and have not referred us for fines and have said they will not (CEV family members)

This as well is helpful

Have you got a link for that needabus? It's a bit blurry but if it does clarify things then it could be useful to reference in emails to schools.
Thanks.

@needabus

Schools don’t have to report the absences to the LA they can authorise themselves as covid related and the headteacher then doesn’t notify the LA to fine the parents Schools have the authority to decide whether to refer to the LA or not and we’ve found then to be understanding and have not referred us for fines and have said they will not (CEV family members)

No they don't. Ours do. The Educational Welfare Officers and LEA have been informed throughout. It has been made very clear that fines will be pursued if certain criteria aren't met.

It’s on the public interest law centre website I can’t seem to link it but there’s a statement then you can download it

Thank you needabus.

@SoscaredforJan

I think the risk is less now as there will be about 10 days between Christmas mixing as returning to school. Also the mixing is limited to one day so I will be sending my children back.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate I hope it helps

The ONS data on schools out in the last few days is shocking. Steep rises in secondary and primary with 1 in 40 children infected in secondary and 1 in 50 in primary. Surely they can’t carry on this! The testing for secondary doesn’t sound like it’s going to be great- will they even be able to get it up and running by then and there’s no testing for primary.