School seems to want me to send dc even though I’m not a key worker?

[MegtheShark]

This is the exact wording of the part of email that I just received that I am unsure about:

‘Following the Prime Ministers announcement this evening, your child can attend school from tomorrow (Tuesday 5th January 2021) if you are a keyworker parent, cannot access online learning via a tablet/PC for your child's live lessons or do not have a quiet place for your child to sit and learn. All those children who are vulnerable, those who have an EHCP, have children's service input or as a parent you feel you are unable to support learning can also come into school as normal, usual drop off/pick up arrangements apply. There is no need for you to confirm your child's attendance, please just arrive as normal.’

Are they saying that even though I am not a key worker that I should be sending dc in if a) I don’t feel up to homeschooling or b) don’t have a quiet place for dc to study (we have one pc in kitchen).

Many parents on the WhatsApp group are feeling quite torn about this, are stressed about home learning and so would quite like to just carry on as normal BUT there is also a huge feeling of unease that this seems to contravene tonight’s advice somewhat.

Is it personally addressed to you, or rather sent to all parents as general guidance?

I believe it's how Government has defined the vulnerable list:

are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children and young people who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child
have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
have been identified as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), and who could therefore benefit from continued full-time attendance, this might include:
children and young people on the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services or in the process of being referred to children’s services
adopted children or children on a special guardianship order
those at risk of becoming NEET (‘not in employment, education or training’)
those living in temporary accommodation
those who are young carers
those who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home (for example due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study)
care leavers
others at the provider and local authority’s discretion including pupils and students who need to attend to receive support or manage risks to their mental health

There are many parents that will take advantage of the point which states those who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home (for example due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study). So easy for parents to say this. However I suspect a lot of schools will have limits as to how many children they will accept in because of staff numbers and teachers will be teaching remotely, setting work, etc.

No it says if you are a key worker, EHCP or venerable

Hang on that's strange wording goes in to say basically if you don't feel like doing it send them in

It was a general email sent out to all, the WhatsApp group was just discussing it.

It’s currently split in to those who were vulnerable and going to keep dc off anyway, and those who are tempted by the offer to carry on as usual.

A few are also worrying that if their dc can’t sit at the pc in a quiet room all day (those with asd, multiple child household etc) that they will be ‘guilt tripped’ or asked to attend instead.

@katiewilde that’s what I thought! One of the sham parents is messaging to check in the morning and sending in if she can as she really struggled. The discourse is civil but a few disagree with her (but sympathise) as it seems to be against guidance (law come Wednesday?)

I'm pretty sure not having a quiet place to study means, for example, living in a B&B, rather than the PC being in a room other people might be using

Schools are open for families who need it, as far as I can tell.

It’s this bit that has caused the most controversy on WhatsApp:

‘or as a parent you feel you are unable to support learning can also come into school as normal’

As many have pointed out, we ALL feel like that!

That wording isn't very clear to be sure.

Very strange I work in two primary schools and we are trying our hardest to keep numbers to a minimum for everyone's safety, totally defeats the object to open up for everyone

It seems unusually laid back about the whole situation. Yeah, come in as normal if you think you need to, no need to check if it’s ok first, it’s all good.

It has seemed very strange.

They also sent a slightly threatening email at 7pm warning about unauthorised absences and that school is open as usual as far as they know tomorrow...which was very odd considering the contents of the PMs speech had already been leaked long before that point.

Ah, not sure how reliable this is but one of the parents is claiming that there are close links at the school with an organisation that has been campaigning for schools to stay open. That might explain the mixed messages.

I’m going to see if I can get through tomorrow to find out if it was just worded badly or not.

There will be parents who desperately need the support of a school place, who don't neatly fit into one of the categories and don't have the confidence to ask. This will help them. Although, you'd think for planning purposes, they'd want numbers.

I am confident enough to say to school "Actually, DD2 doesn't fit your definitions of vulnerable, but she does have ASD, struggled terribly with home learning last lockdown and would really benefit from being in school. Incidentally, my DH is a keyworker, although I'm at home. So I don't mind whether you call it a keyworker place or a vulnerable child place, but she needs one, please." Many parents wouldn't be.

Sounds like they tried to word it to make sure that parents don't feel they have to cope alone/put them in the position of being in a home where domestic abuse is an issue/take unpaid leave/get fired because the 'places are only for nurses' children or where both parents work for the NHS' and don't have to make a case as to why they think their child needs to go into school.

The previous letter would be because they had to maintain the official position until that position inevitably changed.

I think it sounds like a welcomed read to parents who are feeling like they'll really struggle but don't fit into the key worker/vulnerable group.

Just in case anyone wanted an update - in dd’s class there were only 7 out of 30 who didn’t go in. According to parents WhatsApp group there were similar high numbers of children attending other classes/years. School gates are reported to be only slightly less crowded.

Not really surprising as they didn’t want any proof, confirmation of who was coming and essentially gave anyone who didn’t feel like homeschooling a free pass to come in, worker or not.

A couple of parents have reconsidered as they didn’t feel safe at the school gate due to numbers, most that went back are just happy dc are allowed in school though.

Got the impression from dd’s teacher on the phone earlier that she isn’t very happy about it, though she didn’t say outright.

Hmm odd