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Original poster

If so many people wanted schools closed then why are some schools seeing up to 75% of children in?

348 replies

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/01/2021 08:52

I have never wanted schools closed although I do recognise why they need to and that they need to be made safer.

Yet it seemed like I was in the minority, all over the internet people wanted schools closed and their children safely at home.

So why are so many trying to send their children in? Is it a case of "schools should be closed except for my child?"

OP posts:
mrshoho · 07/01/2021 16:36

I'm worried too Nellodee about how much worse it is about to get. I realise it is not at critical point in every area so possibly that is why many appear nonplussed.

duffeldaisy · 07/01/2021 16:37

Please to anyone saying 'this is only like a cold or flu for most people', please please look at the bigger picture.

Schools need to shut as much as possible and we need lockdown for two main reasons (neither of them about individuals):

A certain percentage of people cannot get the vaccine (because they're pregnant, they're a tiny baby, they have some kind of autoimmune disorder etc.). To protect those people, everyone who can get the vaccine should when they are offered.

Then there's the thing that viruses mutate. Every time they jump from one human to another, there's a risk that they may mutate a bit more. So again, while most people may not get very ill, just having a light version could lead to it mutating enough so vaccines don't work, and we'd have to start again (and I'm pretty sure no-one wants to start all over again with this).

For crying out loud, just quietly do the right thing if you're well enough to, and we'll save more lives.

And we need proper financial support to help people stay home. Giving laptops and free broadband to any kids who need it would help to keep numbers down. Giving support to people doing even zero hours contracts or in unstable work would help. Giving more resources to schools and to teachers would help. Most people want this to end as fast as possible, but not everyone can choose to home-school or stay in.

mrshoho · 07/01/2021 16:41

@Waxonwaxoff0 some are using nursery places but others with 2 parents of primary age are working opposite shifts to have a parent a home. Impossible if a single parent I know.

duffeldaisy · 07/01/2021 16:43

(And no, of course I don't want schools to close. But I want this over as fast as possible, and I want my children, family and school staff to be safe. While I work from home, so it's easier for us, I am having to reduce my hours, and am finding it tricky too. But it's about priorities and the big picture, which really isn't looking good at the moment).

HelloMissus · 07/01/2021 16:44

The majority of parents didn’t want them closed.

MarshaBradyo · 07/01/2021 16:45

[quote mrshoho]@Waxonwaxoff0 some are using nursery places but others with 2 parents of primary age are working opposite shifts to have a parent a home. Impossible if a single parent I know.[/quote]
That’s a tough gig but when do they sleep?

So parent 1 home schools in day, whilst other works, then does night shift and repeat - they haven’t slept yet?

The other one works day and sleeps at night

bonbonours · 07/01/2021 16:50

@CeibaTree

I don’t know anyone in real life who wanted schools closed, just a vocal minority on mumsnet!
Everyone in my group of mum friends wanted them closed as it was so blindingly obvious that it wasn't safe having them open in tier 4. Large numbers of people locally were saying that if schools were open they would keep kids at home. Our head emailed saying she had received large numbers of messages to this effect (and that they would not pursue fines) That doesn't mean we wouldn't rather kids were in school or that we don't find having the kids at home challenging.
DarlingCoffee · 07/01/2021 16:51

This is a great question. I think it’s clear the parameters for ‘key workers’ have become too broad and people are taking advantage of this. Feeling sad right now that those who do not strictly need to send their children are doing so regardless. to make their own lives easier.

mrshoho · 07/01/2021 16:52

Marsha, they do 3 13 hour shifts each per week. combination of weekdays, weekends, nights. A lot of my friends been doing this mixed with family helping out since the kids were babies to cut down on childcare costs. bloody hard.

bonbonours · 07/01/2021 16:53

Totally agree with @DecemberSun

So much more could and should be done to make schools safer. As she said:

Classes need to be small enough to enable social distancing. If this means only half the class in at a time then so be it.

If classrooms have windows that don't open then they should not be used until the windows are fixed. Ventilation is key to prevent the spread of the virus.

Staff should have screens around their tables to ensure social distancing.

All children and adults should wear masks.

whittystitties · 07/01/2021 16:55

@DarlingCoffee

This is a great question. I think it’s clear the parameters for ‘key workers’ have become too broad and people are taking advantage of this. Feeling sad right now that those who do not strictly need to send their children are doing so regardless. to make their own lives easier.
I really don't think there are many people doing this, can people stop casting aspersions, most people using it need to bloody use it!!
MarshaBradyo · 07/01/2021 16:55

@mrshoho

Marsha, they do 3 13 hour shifts each per week. combination of weekdays, weekends, nights. A lot of my friends been doing this mixed with family helping out since the kids were babies to cut down on childcare costs. bloody hard.
It sounds it. I think they should use KW space! But that takes commitment to bringing numbers down to not
Oblomov20 · 07/01/2021 17:01

Having my 2 who are old enough to look after themselves at home till February 1/2 term is just about doable. Not keen on having thyme home till after the Easter holidays.

Yes this strain is bad. But I'm not sure we can continue to keep us all 'on hold' for too long. Else more damage will be done than covid itself!

ParadiseLaundry · 07/01/2021 17:02

In my school WhatsApp there were a lot of parents very vocal about the fact that the schools should be shut. It then transpired that these parents were all key workers so sent their kids in. Err, ok, so it should only be shut to my kids but not yours then? It leaves a sour taste in my mouth tbh.

I'm a SAHM and definitely wanted them open. DS is 5 and is no bother really and generally lovely and will do a bit of learning and I actually think it benefits DS2 having him around (with no toddler groups or any opportunities for socialisation for him). Not to say every day is great and it's all shit in general. He needs to be running around and playing with other children. I have no idea how people are expected to work too, it's ridiculous.

But according to a delightful teacher on another post I only wanted free child care. Its absolutely not true. I think there is greater risk to most children keeping schools closed than opening them and risking the virus.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 07/01/2021 17:02

It had got to the stage that it wasn't safe imo. But apart from wanting schools to be safe, what I really wanted was to be able to keep mine home without being fined, prosecuted or losing their place and to do the work set for SI students.
I could probably be defined as a key worker and one of my DC has an EHCP. I work entirely at home at the moment however and I am on the ECV list. Obviously my DC are home and we are juggling everything.

Nerdygirl · 07/01/2021 17:03

@DarlingCoffee

This is a great question. I think it’s clear the parameters for ‘key workers’ have become too broad and people are taking advantage of this. Feeling sad right now that those who do not strictly need to send their children are doing so regardless. to make their own lives easier.
Exactly my point. They are making lockdown last longer for everyone . Our school can accommodate normal classes as so small and keep people safe as has been proved by no cases. But my children will be impacted by lockdown as will my role and then I see huge numbers going into school on dubious key worker status and it makes me cross and sad that people can’t see we all have to sacrifice and have difficult times if we are going to open fully again
whittystitties · 07/01/2021 17:04

@Oblomov20

Having my 2 who are old enough to look after themselves at home till February 1/2 term is just about doable. Not keen on having thyme home till after the Easter holidays.

Yes this strain is bad. But I'm not sure we can continue to keep us all 'on hold' for too long. Else more damage will be done than covid itself!

This.

Cure worse than cause on our current trajectory.

Heartlantern2 · 07/01/2021 17:06

I think it was a HUGE case of all the people screaming for the schools to be closed DIDN'T HAVE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN! As long as they are ok jack!

MarshaBradyo · 07/01/2021 17:08

@Heartlantern2

I think it was a HUGE case of all the people screaming for the schools to be closed DIDN'T HAVE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN! As long as they are ok jack!
I think it was louder from those who did but would still be going
Carlislemumof4 · 07/01/2021 17:10

@duffeldaisy

Please to anyone saying 'this is only like a cold or flu for most people', please please look at the bigger picture.

Schools need to shut as much as possible and we need lockdown for two main reasons (neither of them about individuals):

A certain percentage of people cannot get the vaccine (because they're pregnant, they're a tiny baby, they have some kind of autoimmune disorder etc.). To protect those people, everyone who can get the vaccine should when they are offered.

Then there's the thing that viruses mutate. Every time they jump from one human to another, there's a risk that they may mutate a bit more. So again, while most people may not get very ill, just having a light version could lead to it mutating enough so vaccines don't work, and we'd have to start again (and I'm pretty sure no-one wants to start all over again with this).

For crying out loud, just quietly do the right thing if you're well enough to, and we'll save more lives.

And we need proper financial support to help people stay home. Giving laptops and free broadband to any kids who need it would help to keep numbers down. Giving support to people doing even zero hours contracts or in unstable work would help. Giving more resources to schools and to teachers would help. Most people want this to end as fast as possible, but not everyone can choose to home-school or stay in.

You are right that if the closures continue longer term the funding per pupil will have to be diverted to the pupil's home. I would expect it to be cut from the school though. One of the extraordinary things about the union's actions and the attitudes of some in the teaching profession is that they seem to be under the illusion they can demand a two tier system where a percentage of children they are paid to teach in school are refused access and socialisation for many months while still receiving their full salary, other school staff endlessly paid or furloughed and parts of or whole school buildings mothballed but still funded by the taxpayer. Taxpayers who want their children in school.

My family and I have been doing the right thing for a year, the 'we are doing this for your own good' attitude from teachers who are still entitled to a school place for their child and will continue to ensure they get ahead, isn't going to wash long term. Full - time online schooling for primary age, not suitable, will likely break down in weeks.

Most people realise the risk but, one year on and with many children having had more time out of school than in in the last year, the risk has to be balanced with the effect on their mental health and social development.

Many of the replies on this thread have started to give me some hope that school closures beyond Easter won't be accepted by the majority.

duffeldaisy · 07/01/2021 17:10

I don't think we should fall into the trap of blaming parents - or teachers - for the current situation. Something this big isn't something anyone can control from an individual standpoint (or rather, not if they are key workers or aren't being paid if they stay off). Too many people have too little choice.
The people to blame for the chaos are the government, for not acting in a consistent and fair way.

whittystitties · 07/01/2021 17:12

@duffeldaisy

I don't think we should fall into the trap of blaming parents - or teachers - for the current situation. Something this big isn't something anyone can control from an individual standpoint (or rather, not if they are key workers or aren't being paid if they stay off). Too many people have too little choice. The people to blame for the chaos are the government, for not acting in a consistent and fair way.
The only way to deal with that is to vote with your feet, as like it or not, we are stuck with this shower of... for the foreseeable

Unless anyone fancies storming Parliament Republican style

DarlingCoffee · 07/01/2021 17:14

@whittystitties you’re being very naive if you think that

Inastatus · 07/01/2021 17:15

@duffeldaisy - oh yes of course, let’s all forget any ideas of acting responsibly and blame the government - simples!

Carlislemumof4 · 07/01/2021 17:16

@duffeldaisy

I don't think we should fall into the trap of blaming parents - or teachers - for the current situation. Something this big isn't something anyone can control from an individual standpoint (or rather, not if they are key workers or aren't being paid if they stay off). Too many people have too little choice. The people to blame for the chaos are the government, for not acting in a consistent and fair way.
The unions forced this closure of primaries, the government were determined to keep them open as an essential public service. Rightly so.