When do you think primary schools will reopen?

[miniella]

What are people's thoughts as to when they will reopen primary schools? We are in London and considering whether to fork in for a nanny as lockdown with our very active child nearly broke us last time.

My feeling based on the current numbers and the announced pace of vaccination is that primary school closures will last until Easter (so effectively until mid-April because of half term). What do people think?

I think until Easter. I really can't see them going back in February.

End of March 🤞🏾

I think it will be different in different areas, we are near London too and sadly there is a long way to go!

How many threads do we need on the same thing?

I think best scenario after feb half term, worst case September but realistically I think probably after the Easter holidays. It’s difficult to say, they missed just over a term last time which would mean back after Easter if it was the same this time. I m prepared in my mind to homeschool til Easter so if it’s earlier it will be nice if it’s later I ll cope!

After half term.

I’m thinking they won’t be back in on a full time basis until after the Easter holidays (maybe part time from mid Feb to Easter).
In your situation I’d bite bullet and hire a nanny for a few months just to get you through.

My gut feel is they will return after Easter holidays for the start of the summer term - i.e. they'll miss the whole of this term.

I think Feb half term.

The govt has said many times how schools are the top priority, so they wouldn't be able to re-open restaurant/hospitality/shops until schools are back. There would be uproar if people could go to the pub and not to school.

And they won't keep all those industries closed until Easter. So I think schools back after Feb half term, with gradual reopening of other industries March/April

After May half term

I feel it may be after the Easter holidays.

After Easter minimum, have you seen the London numbers???

They will shove us all back in too early and with no protection again, as soon as they possibly can. Next week if they could get away with it.

I can’t see all year groups going back together, in full classes, after February half term.

I guess it depends what the ‘data’ looks like. If this lockdown with 50% of children still in some schools, doesn’t work and there are still hundreds of deaths a day-the criteria for school places will need to change to reduce numbers.

@Letseatgrandma

I can’t see all year groups going back together, in full classes, after February half term.

I guess it depends what the ‘data’ looks like. If this lockdown with 50% of children still in some schools, doesn’t work and there are still hundreds of deaths a day-the criteria for school places will need to change to reduce numbers.

I can see a review coming and a tightening up of keyorier criteria before schools being opened.

Although who knows with this government.

At least Easter I think.

If teachers can demonstrate they are providing an effective education remotely then they could (and they probably should) be closed (at least partially) for much longer

I am a keyworker WfH and happy to keep the children at home as long as needed provided their teachers really improve the style of provision so that I can get on with job.

As a school we are preparing for Easter

After February half term. Yes the numbers are bad but vaccination should see a steep drop off from the end of this month hopefully.

Properly back, all years? Not until after Easter. For my own mental health I'm not banking on any earlier than then, much as I'd like them to be. If it's after Easter? Well at least the weather should be a bit better by then!

I think they might go back after Feb half term, until Easter to see how things go. Selfishly hoping they stay closed until Easter as I'll hopefully have had my first vaccine by then.

If you're upfront about it when recruiting you'll find someone that can be flexible - but have a good think about notice period etc.

I think it'll be very important to get someone who aligns with your own level of 'risk' re Covid

Have you had a nanny before?

I think possibly Easter for all years - I really hope we don't have certain years back because my primary children got a shit lockdown education last time and although we switched schools ( much better) if they don't go back til Easter they would have had 2.5 terms out which is loads.

I would get a nanny if you can -our after school nanny is coming for longer. The younger one (year 3) needs loads of help. However good the school it is unrealistic to think that a young primary school child can do work unsupervised

I hope and think after February half term, albeit a phased return like last time. (We live in an area of very low rates).
If it’s Easter then I hope the government have a catch up plan for all those falling behind as they have missed so much. My eldest is still behind from lockdown one, finally progressing, school are doing good stuff but no live online learning as internet connections are dire (schools as well as pupils) and he is reluctant, have young siblings, work etc. Get a nanny if you can!

If you can afford a nanny and it will help your situation, I would employ one if you can find someone suitable. I reckon it will be Easter, but really, who knows?

I would think they'll let youngest back first like they did last time - R and Y1. No matter how good the provision from the school, 4 and 5 year olds can't do any independent learning which is a nightmare for working parents...

My guess would be Reception and year 1 back after Feb half term plus possibly some contact for secondary exam years. I suspect it might be Easter before all years at both Primary and Secondary are back.