So it looks like we're being prepared for children not to go back until after Easter

[choosingcrumble]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/children-face-months-at-home-as-schools-stay-shut-until-easter-wp5ltpm82?fbclid=IwAR1l0gRSzuJLIv508reRmBEojbYfoGOsWwe3_pBFmKpA4EbI1IgC5dKC2uE

I suspected it wouldn't be until then, let's just hope that it doesn't stretch into the summer.

Jesus Christ. Some right pricks on this thread.

One thing possibly to consider, if you are less empathetic to the plight of children and their futures, is the long term impact of the 2 tier education system that we now have.

The children that are doing okay are in the vast majority from nice, well-off homes.

The opportunities for social mobility, ie. for less privileged children to make a huge success of their education and their future prospects are now vastly reduced.

Hence, who do you think will be holding all the positions of authority in the future? The Tory voting middle class off spring, or the very clever child brought up in poverty with no access to her school?

Twenty years from now, today’s exam year students will be the people with decision-making powers.

If you would like access to any state support in your old age, this might be worth giving some thought.

I’m relieved they’ll be off until after Easter. I usually work 4 days but am currently off with long Covid, some days I can help homeschool others I can’t. DH is wfh full time. DC seem to be managing much better this time with homeschooling, my youngest is happier and less worried which I think is due to me being home as he was very worried about me last time as I was working out the home (community nurse). They’re getting on with their work and doing well. Since having Covid (and still suffering immensely) I’ll be keep them off as long as possible to minimise the risk to us as a family.

Rubbish.

Any child sitting their GCSEs will already have work available for assessments.

Children from poor families don’t always have poor outcomes - I’m one of them.

4 siblings all home owners, all have decent salaries, all have children in university or just heading that way.

DDs friend super poor family was offered the chance of a lifetime and we clubbed together to sort out passports for her and her mother to go (educational) school paid the airfare etc

I know lots of poor families with very well adjusted intelligent children who will do well because of their poverty not because of it.

Exactly!!! That proves my point entirely!!

@DoreenWinkings

One of the things that worries me about this (beyond the obvious education and mental health repercussions) is that we know obesity is one of the key factors in how well/badly people deal with covid after age. And all of our children (who aren't in school) are now doing considerably less exercise than they were a year ago. ALL of the secondary age children I know have put on weight and/or lost muscle tone over the last year. They have gone from almost constantly moving to pretty much living the sedentary life of your average office worker. There are no sports clubs, swimming, dance etc. No walks to/from school or the bus stop. No walking to meet friends and mooch around town. My yr8 used to swim regularly, dance, PE 2/3 times a week, all day moving around the school etc etc. Now she does essentially nothing. She's allowed out for a walk/run once a day - except she has lessons during daylight hours so I have to practically force her to come out and walk a daily Mile with me. I'm under no illusions that if she were 15/16/17 the chances I could make her do that if she didn't want to are pretty slim. She's lost most of her muscle tone from exercise - no more abs for me to be jealous of - and put on weight. She's lucky that she was very slim before so she's still not overweight but it still can't be great for her health. Some of my friends kids have put on a LOT of weight. Not because they're lazy but because they've nothing to do to burn off energy!

My little two are still at nursery/school (2 KW) and one of the biggest complaint I'm hearing from their friends parents who are wfm/homeschooling is that their sleep has gone to shit - everyone knows how full of energy little kids are, they've nowhere to put it. So they're not tired. So they are sleeping less.

All of these things are not something that children can just bounce back from - they will have longer term affects.

It's a crazy mixed up world when we're facing a virus that generally affects larger and unhealthy people worse and countering it by essentially forcing our young people to stop the majority of things they can do to enhance their physical health... what happens if we get a variant that does affect children and young people? We've set large numbers of them up to get it worse, haven't we?

This is a big worry for me too. Fact is kids motivate other kids to be physically active when together and that's how they stay fit. I try so hard to keep my kids active but they don't want to do it for the sake of being healthy and I cannot motivate them like another child could. They have lost a lot of strength from the lack of peer activity. They'll do a Joe Wicks video for about 5 min and then get bored and flop. I worry about their bone density in later life too because of the lack of impact activities right now. And what about all these kids who won't know how to swim? That is not ok! It's essential for kids to learn to swim.

@Sparkles715

I’m a teacher and a parent and want schools open sooner. WHY won’t the government just take steps to make schools safer? I would love to see all children in at least one day a week in small groups. It could probably be more. Some school is better than no school. WHY do the government seem to insist on full time or nothing?

Because the government are too lazy to invest in blended learning.

And because right-wing affiliated lobby groups like Us for Them campaigned vehemently against it.

And landed us right back in another lockdown with schools closed as a result. Exactly like those of us who wanted schools open safely predicted.

I agree that it shouldn’t be all or nothing. Some time with teachers would be better than none and would help kids to keep up and keep motivated.

Many other countries did this.

And i do find it sad that there is such a focus on “lost” education. It’s not lost it’s interrupted. It’s a global pandemic! We were one of the few hard hit countries to send kids back full time. Who are they behind? Our curriculum is too heavy handed anyway especially at primary level, thanks to gove’s curriculum. We could have used this for a much needed reset.

@Turtleshelly

And i do find it sad that there is such a focus on “lost” education. It’s not lost it’s interrupted. It’s a global pandemic! We were one of the few hard hit countries to send kids back full time. Who are they behind? Our curriculum is too heavy handed anyway especially at primary level, thanks to gove’s curriculum. We could have used this for a much needed reset.

Agree. See my point earlier about pressure cooker education system.

except she has lessons during daylight hours
Well said @DoreenWinkings
I am teaching secondary from hime and my back is aching from all the unaccustomed sitting and online live lessons. I have the flexibility yo decide which lessons or part of lessons I teach live and which I set work for - sp this week I started leaving 2 hour gap in the middle of the day precisely for that e -ie so that I can go out and run in daylight znx have suggested the same to colleagues. I feel sorry for children for whom that is not offered as an option but would urge parents to simply tell the school that the child is not available for live lessons at specific times.
It was ‘t much of s problem in the last lockdown as was summer so more daylight.

@GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly it has varied. Most stuff has been mandated at a state level, which works in Australia as the distances are much greater. It it possibly akin to Scotland/England/Wales having different rules etc.

We are in Victoria, and we had some form of lockdown for 190 days, and still have social distancing and quite a lot of restrictions despite having no cases (except for travellers) for nearly 2 months. It was really hard - our school year is Jan - Dec. Schools across the state closed early for Easter, and remained largely closed for the following (April - June) term. In June some year groups returned gradually, then everyone went back for a week at the end of July. We hit a second wave in July and initially they tried closing things just in the most affected areas but then it didn’t really work so statewide. The regional areas were then opened up more quickly, with Melbourne following later. Pretty much all schools closed for the July - Sept term, then gradually returning - regional schools in October, then Melbourne in November some year groups at a time. Childcare centres were also closed except to a small number of essential workers kids. We couldn’t travel more than 5km from home without a permit. Playgrounds closed and we could only leave the house for 4 essential reasons and one hours exercise a day. It was really tough - benches in parks closed off etc I had my DS in July and traumatic memories of entertaining DD3 at home, tears at closed playgrounds, trying to make walks fun and also homeschool DSD14.

However, we are now pretty much covid free and things are much more normal. Baby sensory and gymnastics restarted for a month in December, daycare is back, zoos have reopened. However, even 3 cases coming back interstate meant we were back to masks for all indoor settings last month. I have no idea when I’ll see family at home but have a new appreciation for little things. We were wearing masks at the beach in November after many days of 0 cases etc - it was really tough.

What I think is difficult about the U.K. is that it’s sort of half doing things. The harsh lockdown we had isn’t necessarily the answer as it comes at a high cost - but it did work. The risk of half doing it is it’s still really hard b but doesn’t slow the spread. It also sounds quite unfair to me - to have an essential worker place here it had to be both parents, and no one able to mind at home. My husband is essential and despite being working from home and very pregnant, and then having a newborn we couldn’t send my daughter. This was very very tough - but did limit the numbers in. I think if I’d had PND or birth injuries you could though. Would not want to go through it again - but as no one would it does mean people are pretty good at following the (many) rules.

There is also a lot of crazy here with state borders opening and closing, and people getting stuck 😬

Sorry I mean unfair if a lot of kids are in school it creates a bigger difference in their experience. That’s why initially they closed regional schools too - so it was consistent. They did reopen earlier though.

I really do sympathise with people though - traumatic memories of working until midnight after having kids all day etc, and my 3 year old getting distressed at not seeing anyone etc - it’s hard 😭

My 16 year old son has recently had an online interview for 6th Form next year and they asked him how he felt about the possibility of continuing to study from home 😳

I have no hope of children going back until summer. I would like to believe that this is in the best interests of the nation, but given that children don't vote, and parent-age adults, and teachers, largely don't vote Tory, I suspect that the lack of interest in sorting things for this demographic is not a coincidence.

Fact is kids motivate other kids to be physically active when together and that's how they stay fit. I try so hard to keep my kids active but they don't want to do it for the sake of being healthy and I cannot motivate them like another child could. They have lost a lot of strength from the lack of peer activity. They'll do a Joe Wicks video for about 5 min and then get bored and flop. I worry about their bone density in later life too because of the lack of impact activities right now. And what about all these kids who won't know how to swim? That is not ok! It's essential for kids to learn to swim.

First lockdown, social media seemed to be full of people sharing videos of Inspiring Activities Parents Can Do To Keep Kids Fit!!! I know people are just trying their best when they share this videos and suggestions, but kids are never going to keep fit through Joe Wicks, "walks" (yawn) or a parent's attempts at larking about in the living room. Kids need to run about with other kids--it's what they're designed to do!

Plus, employers are expecting people to work this time round and it's winter--many parents find it hard even to make time to take the kids out for a (crappy freezing cold) "walk" because by the time work and "homeschooling" attempts are finally over, it's dark outside.

I am quite worried about the LT impacts on children's health.

@Kokeshi123 I agree with you. I said upthread I think it would be really good if schools could have all children in 2x 2hrs a week in bubbles for outdoor PE.

I'm a teacher in school every day and I think we could do this with staff socially distanced from the children quite successfully. The kids could socialise and have an opportunity to be properly active at least for a few hours.

@kokeshi123 I'm very worried about DD's physical health, as well as her mental health. She has put on weight in 2020 and the nagging for snacks is constant. She's a tall, muscular child anyway and I'm really concerned she won't lose the extra weight.

I finished couch to 5k before Christmas and have restarted it with DD. She's doing really well but that's not what she should be doing! She needs to play.

@reefedsail what a good idea. That would make all the difference to DD.

[quote reefedsail]@Kokeshi123 I agree with you. I said upthread I think it would be really good if schools could have all children in 2x 2hrs a week in bubbles for outdoor PE.

I'm a teacher in school every day and I think we could do this with staff socially distanced from the children quite successfully. The kids could socialise and have an opportunity to be properly active at least for a few hours.[/quote]
I think so too.

I honestly don't think the children are going back properly until September.

(Although I do think part time so smaller classes, in the summer term with lots of teaching outside could work.)

We need to stop pretending we'll middle through for another month and "go back to normal" and start acting as if this is a medium to long term situation.

Because it is.

And we're failing our children by not insisting the government put in place safer and more sustainable education.

Because it's been a year and still all they have is schools open/schools closed.

Why can't we have schools safer?

all children in 2x 2hrs a week in bubbles for outdoor PE
This is really good idea.

School provides so much more than academic education, especially for younger children. My children are doing well academically at home but I really worry about the other vital parts of primary education that they are missing - socialisation and making friends, learning together, spending time with people from different backgrounds, the amazing physical exercise from playing and running around with other children. I don't think schools should reopen after half term - it would clearly be completely reckless - but we shouldn't respond to this by trivialising what has been lost. "Lost education" isn't just about academic benchmarks.

I sincerely hope kids are back before summer. One term of face to face teaching just isn't enough. Not to mention the disaster for the economy if businesses can't open for such a long time.

However I do agree that the government need to be completely honest. The whole it's another couple of weeks, and another couple of weeks. Really isn't good enough. If parents / families know we are in this for months they can make decisions to suit. It's not worth asking for furlough for a couple of weeks, but definitely worth asking for it if you know it's a few months. Parents might think I'll muddle along with this old slow laptop for a couple of weeks but if you know its going to be months it might make families decide to invest in a new one, or decide to wipe it clean and start again.
Even support bubbles, if they'd been honest we are in this for months I would have purswaded my mum to change her support bubble. For many reasons it makes sense for her to bubble with my Brother, but I could do with support for child care but I don't want to open her up to too much risk.

Tell people honestly when kids are going back. Stop making this a lesson in how to read between the lines and making people grab millions of bits of information to get the whole picture.

“Because it's been a year and still all they have is schools open/schools closed.”

I agree and have said this many times. All the government does is lockdown or not lockdown. It should work out how to deliver essential services of which education is one in a different way (and not just by relying on parents to supervise remote learning.)

Could be reduced or different timetable or more outside learning for example.

And I really don’t understand why there is now talk of waiting to reopen schools until all over 50s have been vaccinated.
Madness.

@lockdownbear

You can change your support bubble with a ten day gap and have both a support and childcare bubble.

If the government had mandated mask wearing in schools and put some measures in place to allow for social distancing (such as a rota system) there may have been some chance of keeping infection levels down. What happened instead, was the virus was left to rip through schools and the only option then was to lockdown and bring infection levels under control.

Yes, if the government hadn't gone in with their back to normal, schools are safe approach, then we might not be in this situation.

And by allowing so many children to be classified as keyworker or vulnerable, they have created a situation where there is still transmission in schools and that will prolong the length of time that we need to lock down for. And also created a situation where returning on a rota'd basis would be difficult.

I think the government have now acknowledged that schools do drive community transmission, but they have also painted themselves into a corner - to do a safe return on a rota basis after half term in a lot of primary schools won't be viable without extra money and facilities. So, they either take places off people, which will be massively unpopular, or primary schools will have to stay closed for longer.

Most people wouldn't like to see secondary schools go back first, even though they probably could manage a safe rota. So they will stay off for longer too.

[quote Carryingon]@lockdownbear

You can change your support bubble with a ten day gap and have both a support and childcare bubble.[/quote]
It makes more sense for a risk point for support and child care bubbles to be the same family.

I'm in Scotland officially the aim for nursery and some school years is mid February. 10 days takes us to half way through next week, then it's a couple more days to the end of the week them half term them fingers crossed I can get LO back into nursery
Its not worth asking her to change bubbles for that amount of time. But had they been open and honest at Christmas and said schools / nursery will be shut until half term then changing bubbles would have made sense and given weight to my arguement rather than causing a heated family discussion. My brother telling me I was talking nonsense that schools wouldn't just be closed for a week.