Key worker school place

[mswibblewobble]

I've just started a new job where I am luckily able to work from home. However my eldest (yr7) just will not engage with online learning. His dad is classed as a keyworker although NRP. Can I try and get him into school using his dads job? Wasnt too bad last year as they don't do too much in last half of Yr 6 but dreading trying to get him to do home learning again. Hes a bright boy and loves being at school but just just won't engage at home 😔

No

Yes, only one parent has to be a key worker to access full time childcare during school hours.

Depends on your custody split though. If dad only has EOW then you don't need it. Maybe it's time to assess the custody split and for the next few months dad could have him Monday to Friday?

I’m going to try to do the same. I’m a key worker and while DH works from home - he’s in meetings all day. Dd took a small overdose a few weeks ago and we are still waiting for the therapy CAMHS are offering to her. I really fear for her left unsupervised all day tbh. It’s so hard on kids atm.

No, that’s playing the system and unfair.

I feel your frustration, but if everyone did this then there would be no point is the closure.

You will also find if in school your child is sat at a computer doing the same online learning that children from home are accessing. They can’t be given proper lessons or it isn’t fair on those at home.

@Farontothemaddingcrowd your circumstances are different. Your DD would be classed as vulnerable due to her MH and therefore entitled to be in school.

On my placement when this all happened we had parents who were on maternity leave trying to get key worker places. Or parents who WFH. The school I was at wasn’t happy but it will depend on your school so check.
It could be said to kind of defeat the point though, it’s there for key workers who can’t look after their child. Loads of children will learn better at school but secondary schools can’t have them all in because of that. The more children in school the less effective it all is, I guess. If you can technically get a key worker place then no one will be able to challenge you about it, though.

I think in situations like @Farontothemaddingcrowd when it's about the safety of your child absolutely must try to get them in. I would also say the same for SEN. Lots to think about with your own individual situation and also to consider what would happen if everyone did the same thing.

In the first lockdown, our primary said both parents had to be keyworkers (unsure about DDs new secondary). NRP DC dad is a prison officer but I am not a key worker but now wfh. As fed up as I am with the situation, I wouldn't try and get them into school on the job of the NRP. Its about reducing contacts to slow the spread. If enough DC get into school because just one parent is a key worker, you may as well let them all back.

So, you could do it. But IMO it wouldn't be moral.

Mine are much younger (3 and 5 during first lockdown). I am not a key worker and I can wfh, but couldn't work with them home. I kept them home for 2.5 months with me not working and then asked for a key worker place based on their dad's job and was given one. Not sure if it has changed this time.