Why do my children not deserve an education?

[noitsachicken]

Just because we are not key workers?
My children don’t qualify for a school place, that means they won’t be educated in a classroom, by a teacher, with their peers, they won’t have time to socialise with their friends or play in a group.
They will be sat around the kitchen table, sharing a space with siblings of different ages, all with different needs, with a non-teacher parent trying to do the best they can.
Last lockdown school provision was ‘childcare’ the curriculum was suspended and there was no expectation. That is not the case this time, children who are not allowed in school are at a huge disadvantage.
I realise we are ‘lucky’ compared to others, we have access to technology and I can be home with the children, but I worry for my children, for their mental health and their education.
Why do they not deserve an education and others are prioritised for an education based on their parents job?
How long will those of us with children who are not allowed in school accept this?
I understand the reasons for closing schools, but children are not being treated fairly, if childcare is needed for those with critical jobs then it should be no more than that.

It’s not fair. But not much about this pandemic is fair. Many people have been disadvantaged in many ways- all of society from the very old to the very young.
Just teach them the best you can make them feel safe and loved. Count your blessings for the things you do have- a roof over your head, food in the cupboards, internet and tech to even be able to post on MN in the first place and lastly the fact that you have actually been given the joy of having your own children.

Stop trying to play the poor little victim..

These threads and peoples selfishness are getting a bit boring now.

My kids are home, I’m a key worker (part time), I’m a single parent and one dc has a ehcp but I’m keeping them home because there’s a virus doing the rounds and I fear with the numbers of kids still going in we will not suppress it. It’s hard, I’m finding it really hard to home school 2 children, work and keep on top of the house whilst being unwell and waiting for a hospital referral (delayed due to covid), my kids have missed out on education but so have most kids, both are in important years (GCSE and A level first years) but do I blame anyone for them missing out on education? No.

Most kids that are in school are accessing exactly the same as the kids learning from home, many are being supervised by TA’s whilst teachers prep work for those working from home. As long as your kids have access to online learning then they are not missing out on anything other than mixing with friends.

Please stop telling people to count their blessings. It’s as tired as ‘stay safe’.

My husband is a key worker. My son is disabled and was offered a place at school as he is considered vulnerable. We didn’t take it, we’ve kept him at home. The children who have gone in are not getting any special treatment, they are following the same remote learning plan as everyone at home. They are not being taught by teachers.

I'm having to teach live lessons to students at home whilst teaching those in school. So they are receiving the exact same lesson, although it is easier to help those at school if they're struggling.
My DS was offered a key worker place but we have kept him at home. His school isn't doing any live lessons, a single PP is being uploaded each day (from Thursday last week). I do worry about him falling behind, but I think getting the virus under control is so important.

The problem here is again the competing and contradictory positions of parents. Those sending their kids into school complain if they do not receive any teaching with comments such as 'teachers are there whu aren't they teaching them?' 'They can be at home if it's just to have a screen in front of them'. The further complication is that now we have large numbers in school, schools do not have enough laptops etc to give each child a device to follow the lessons independently. Those keeping their kids at home think their kids are at a disadvantage like the OP.
Where I work, we are lucky enough to have smart boards in class and so the children at school are accessing the same lessons where possible as those at home although yes, they do have the teacher and can sometimes do extras and they get more help than those at home to do the work. I am not sure what else school can do. Some schools do not have this provision. We do not have 70 % of our kids in but that is only because our SLT are trying to be mindful of the fact that we are in lockdown and that we should not have huge numbers together!

I mean we could just let everyone get covid and then see who lives and who dies. Shall we shut all the hospitals too? Would that be fair?

Such selfishness in a global crisis. It's not about you, it's about everyone in society and what we need to do to stop the hospitals from collapsing.

Thislittlefinger123

Think about this....you’re a teacher. It’s Monday night and you’ve come home from the first day back in your covid breeding ground workplace because the government said just yesterday that schools are safe and should remain open. Now, it’s 8pm and the reverse has just been stated, schools are vectors for transmission and should be closed. An ENORMOUS task is ahead, choosing who should get a place. Supervision in school for these children must happen whilst also coordinating home learning. Shielding is reinstated and many staff as at home isolating due to Covid exposure. In my school, 3 staff members are in hospital after contracting covid in school in Dec and 6 more are still very ill at home.

It’s Tuesday. The government says keyworkers should be able to take their children to school so hundreds turn up. They need provision at school. By 3.30 when they’re gone, you can start to begin to think about home learning.

It’s Wednesday, you’re not at home delivering home learning whilst your TA is going WAY above their job description supervising the ridiculous number of children whose parents are eligible for a place. Support staff deserve a bloody medal but that’s another point. You think aha, now I can really focus on high quality teaching for those at home, as a teacher I feel so bad that they’ve been left in the lurch and now the time to rectify that. Except you can’t because the constant calls from school needing various things set up, calls from parents about having no internet/printers need sorting. Basically the whole day is spent doing admin, you manage to cobble together a maths and phonics task to keep them busy.

It’s Thursday. You’re in school printing worksheets for those who don’t have a printer and pleading to take one of the TINY amount of laptops the government have provided (if you’re lucky, many schools have been given none). You then spend half the day driving round delivering because your hearts in the right place and you want to make it easier for families. At 4pm you begin recording lessons/replying to emails.

It’s Friday and finally a day to work on home learning, but your internet is playing up making recording lessons untenable. You go into school but there’s no free space. You do you absolute best and manage a few videos and some resources.

You go home, cry, have a g&t and cry some more. The week has been shit and you feel shit for how children in and out of school are both getting a bad deal. Then you remember you’re in a pandemic and get a grip a little. You’ve worked your arse off all week to get things in a positive where you can devote your whole days to providing high quality home learning. That took time and all the effort you can muster.

Sorry for the enormous post but I feel so passionately that people are quick to moan and slow to consider what goes on behind the scenes. GIVE SCHOOLS A CHANCE. The amount of pressure schools have been under, the amount of admin and planning work schools have had to do this week has been ridiculous. If home learning is still rubbish next week, speak to the headteacher, not people on MN.

Instead of feeling resentful at the ‘pointy elbowed’ parents, who are taking up undeserved places, let’s feel sad that they are so clueless, that they’d prefer to put their children at increased risk of disease and contribute to spreading the virus. Children who read, are taught good manners, respect and have a positive attitude to learning will ALWAYS do well. We should all just try to I still these values in our children so that they are in the best place to catch up when they return to school. I know MN is a place to vent - I’ve done it often enough - but really, let’s just focus on doing the best we can for our DC now, in the situation we are in.

My DC got a great education this week.

At home, safe, with me helping.

Daily videos from teachers. A zoom catch up. Lessons planned and sent for each subject.

The teachers that are in school aren't teaching. The key worker kids are doing the same as we are at home.

My DC teachers are at home so the kids aren't missing out.

You need to get a grip and be fucking thankful your kids are out of harms way. I know I am. I'm so grateful that our key workers are going to work and putting themselves and their children into situations I'm trying to avoid!

@noitsachicken
“ im right, I’m entitled and my precious babies deserve this”

MN “ No you’re not suck it up buttercup- most people’s children are in the same position or worse.“

@noitsachicken
“ I’m not coming back to respond to my thread then”” stamps foot, huffs offs.

@justanotherneighinparadise

Please stop telling people to count their blessings. It’s as tired as ‘stay safe’.

Why?? It’s more important now than ever before! Unless you just want to wallow in an angry gloom for weeks, which helps no one, much less your children. Think about what you have, not what you’ve lost and teach your children to do the same.

You can have my dc space. I’m a key worker, dc are at home (old enough to be left). I don’t want to send them.

You can even have my job. I’ll look after your dc.

By the way, what should have happened is that head teachers and the government should have sat down and agreed what would happen this lockdown so their was a consistent message and clear expectations and these should take account of school circumstances and the communities they serve. Schools where the vast majority of their intake do not have devices should be served differently to those who can use tech.

So, you want all the KW/vulnerable children to be limited to what you can provide your children with?

Do you also think you should limit what you provide to your children to what someone less able than you is providing their children with?

It's not a race the the bottom, there is no ideal solution to this other than everyone simply doing their best.

*Instil - I’m not having a good typing day!

There have been some awful posts on here this week slagging off who should or shouldn't get a place at school, some have been really nasty and heated however this OP has made me angrier than any of them. Such a selfish line of thought.

One of my DCs is in, they are basically being babysat by a TA and doing online lessons same as everyone at home. Primary is possibly different as you've described but still you are in a privileged situation and should maybe have a rethink about how you actually are sounding. There are lots of posts on here explaining clearly why you ABU.

My DD is in class. The class teacher is running two live sessions a day and the rest of the time he's setting up, marking and responding to remote learning. The TA who is in is supervising is helping the 3 who are in and then they are playing, so basically like she would at home (Y2) but with different toys.

Actually let’s take this opportunity to shine a light on those of you who have bagged your kids a school place and KNOW they don’t deserve it and you’ve lied to fit the criteria. Perhaps you are reading this thread feeling slightly ashamed but youve convinced yourself it’s harmless and you’re doing the best for your family.

We see you. Your community sees you. And we’ll remember. And yes you’re being talked about amongst people who know you and you might find that when normal life recommences you have less friends than before.

@noitsachicken

I am aware of the crisis. But children are being treated unfairly, all children should be treated the same. Childcare should be provided for those who really need it

No, all children should not be treated the same. Your ignorance is staggering. I have 5 children in my class at the moment, 2 have parents who work in our large local hospital and the other 3 are vulnerable children. Your children are fine at home, especially if you follow all guidance from their school and get involved with everything that is available to them.

You could always quit your job and get a job in food retail, for example. Your kids can go to school, then. You'll have to deal with the public, get a low wage, probably catch Covid and work unsociable shifts, though.

There's pros and cons to everything. Key workers aren't getting an easy ride here, either.

Some of you have been quite nasty. Just become someone isn’t a key worker doesn’t mean they haven’t got it difficult or aren’t struggling. The OP is concerned about her children, that’s completely normal. Telling her she’s selfish is ridiculous.

@ElizabethP141

I don't know if you're a teacher and that's your experience.

Or if you are just really good at having the insight into what life is like for them right now.

But either way I promise some of us parents are totally understanding what a crap situation teachers and school staff have been put in, and are in awe and full of gratitude to the effort and care being put in to keep our children getting an education.

Every day I'm adding a little note to my DC teacher. Just to say thanks so much and hope you're ok etc. As I just know most of the other parents are moaning about x,y and z.

When this is over it's wine all round!

@SingleparentHomeschool

I don’t think the OP is objecting to the kids of key workers being in, or vulnerable children. It’s the pointy elbowed middle class families who have gamed the key worker definition to send their kids in which gets to me. I’m talking about high earning families where the non key working parent is in a part time wfh creative job. That’s how ridiculous it is, in my school at least. Those families are sending their kids in. Endangering the teachers, TAs and kids who genuinely need to be there. People are claiming that as the kids in school are getting the same remote teaching input as those at home, But that’s not really true. For a start, a TA isn’t just anyone. They are highly experienced educators. But more importantly, they are in that school environment, where they know the thing to do is work, not mess around. And they are being properly supervised, as opposed to having mum or dad trying to ensure they get the work done while also juggling their own full time job. I’m a single parent. The gov guidance is allowing families with 2 parents where only 1 is a key worker to take up these places in schools. Why? It seems to me it’s because my child’s education is not as important as these other children’s. What’s good enough for me and my kid is apparently too much to ask of other families. The OP is right it is totally unfair. I’m not asking for my child to be allowed into school. I’m asking the rules on key worker kids to the equitable, so we can keep this period of closures as short as possible and so teachers and TAs don’t have to endlessly juggle teaching remotely with teaching overly large classes of key worker kids because the pointy elbow brigade are looking after themselves at the cost of everyone else. They are the ones who need to “be kind”.

THIS!