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Original poster

Does the school's Covid policy makes sense?

35 replies

PedroPonyismyspiritanimal · 24/09/2021 17:00

DH and I have both caught Covid. DD7 has no symptoms but is also terrified of testing so we haven't been able to test her. I told school that she will have to be off until we complete isolation next week, and they've said that it's an unauthorised absence as she hasn't tested positive herself and has no symptoms. To me, this seems like a crazy policy, for one, we are both isolating so there is no one to take her to school, and even if we had tested her, a negative lateral flow isn't 100% reliable, and she could get infected from us in the time it would take a negative PCR to come through. I don't feel like we could take the risk to her classmates, teachers and their families. Am i being overly cautious? Would love to hear other people's experiences.

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 24/09/2021 17:04

I've had this myself this week. Both me and dh positive. School insisted the non positive dc needed to attend. We had no one else willing to take the children. School backtracked when they realised they were telling me to BREAK ISOLATION RULES by leaving the house.

Iggly · 24/09/2021 17:06

It’s the nhs rules on isolation and what they’ve been instructed by central government.

Technically you could get someone to collect her. “Technically”

BluebellsGreenbells · 24/09/2021 17:07

It’s government policy NOT ‘school’ policy

Take it up with the Prime Minister, because I highly doubt the school staff are jumping for joy at the new policy but have to comply with the new rules.

Please don’t blame those who are stuck in covid pools having to work whilst encouraging possible positive cases into school.

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 24/09/2021 17:10

What @Iggly said.

Can’t you just say she has symptoms?

JaneLivesHere · 24/09/2021 17:10

It's not the school's decision. It's the government. I agree it feels weird but at the moment that it the rule.

DancingintheSpoonlight · 24/09/2021 17:45

God yeah same with our school! My friend is a single parent and has it and has asked me to take the kids for her…except I’m in my third trimester and shit scared of introducing any more risk than I’m already exposed to Confused it’s a no…as bad as I feel!

Im shocked they’re expected in at all when I would have thought there’s a fairly high chance they are going to get it? The information about likelihood of catching it in the same household seems pretty flaky.

DancingintheSpoonlight · 24/09/2021 17:46

*to edit really, based on PP…I don’t like the governments advice on this particular rule!

beentoldcomputersaysno · 24/09/2021 17:57

It's this sort of policy that has led us to 'it's inevitable all kids will get it soon'. It really needs to stop - Cumbria (I think) are dropping that rule. I expect more will follow. I would either be honest with the school (many schools are trying to keep open and protect their communities), or if yours is a school that favours things like big assemblies, perhaps say your daughter has symptoms.

Other than a few us4them types, is there anyone who really thinks this is a good policy? Surely it is perfectly normal to expect to be able to send kids into a relatively safe environment, and not one that actively courts risk and harm? That's not the same as expecting no risk or wanting lockdowns.

Some people have discussed feeling nervous about the unknowns of a vaccine, yet the unknowns of covid are freely accepted. Where is the scientific evidence that shows this policy is a good idea? Where is the consent form for herd immunity through mass natural infection of our kids?! Sorry bit of a rant.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 24/09/2021 18:02

I got the phone call to pick DD2 up from school, and take her for PCR. DD1 was allowed to stay. If DD2 is positive, DD1 will need a test.. but is allowed to attend if its negative.

Fallulah · 24/09/2021 18:11

It’s not the school’s policy - government policy is that children and the double vaccinated don’t have to isolate.

You can take her to school in the car as long as you don’t get out of the car and just drop her off. When you request a PCR test by post, they tell you you are allowed to leave isolation to drive and put it in the post box. This is the same thing.

(I agree it’s mad that contacts don’t have to isolate, but it’s not the school’s decision.)

MrsHamlet · 24/09/2021 18:27

It really needs to stop - Cumbria (I think) are dropping that rule.
Yes, because the local outbreak team is very concerned about the high rates in schools across the county.

3asAbird · 24/09/2021 18:35

Its flipping crazy given how school reacted summer term.
Angry if someone came in whilst awaiting pcr test that happened a few times and cause such a outbreak in year 10 local phe shut down eldest year group before end of term.
My sons primary had such a bad outbreak in my sons bubble they told siblings that attended the same school stay at home to protect other classes which thankfully worked last term.
It was mostly year 6s infected and thier parents and siblings also caught it.
My sons now year 6 and maybe 1 child in his year had covid so would sweep through the class again with this new rule.
So what they judged wreckless last term is now daft.
I don't trust government logic on this its like they want herd immunity.
God knows when teen vaccinations are.
Already told my head going against this rule will be so angry if my year 11 gcse mocks ruined as schools failed basic infection control.

Bizawit · 24/09/2021 18:38

OP just say she’s developed symptoms.

Rosesareyellow · 24/09/2021 18:44

It’s government policy. But our school is turning a blind eye to that nonsense. They don’t have to put it as unauthorised, they could easily use discretion here and mark her down as ill. You can’t leave the house and have no one to take her - tell the head they are welcome to come and pick her up they want.

MrsHamlet · 24/09/2021 18:46

Schools are not failing basic infection control. We are not allowed to isolate contacts.
On Monday, all bar one of my 11 was in. Yesterday, two were missing. Today, 5. 4 of those are in a form with multiple absentees including the form tutor. I have literally watched covid move around the room.
It's fascinating and horrifying.

CheeseTiger · 24/09/2021 18:48

Why are people always blaming schools for government policy

QueenofLouisiana · 24/09/2021 18:50

I was positive, DH was positive on an LFT, DS had a negative LFT. He should have gone for a PCR and returned to school awaiting results.
I lied and said he’d had an inconclusive LFT so school told me to keep him at home. Good job I did.

It’s the government’s system (herd immunity sought, although they’d deny it), not the school’s.

Kitcat122 · 24/09/2021 18:50

We school workers aren't thrilled either but its government policy.

NoSquirrels · 24/09/2021 18:51

If they want to put her down as unauthorised then let them. Unless there’s a very good reason you don’t want her attendance record to look iffy - like in normal times she has to have a lot of time off, say - then just let them get on with it.

You know the score, the school knows the score, realistically nothing will happen if it’s marked unauthorised.

NoSquirrels · 24/09/2021 18:53

My DC was off awaiting PCR test results for ages last week - it was very slow - and I’ve no idea what absence code they logged it under, not do I care. That’s their lookout as school.

Autumngoldleaf · 24/09/2021 18:59

It's not school. They do what they are told.. Now do you think staff can feel with siblings in class with a + sinking or parent at home!!

It's Maddness I agree because the virus sheds before symptoms show.

LorenzoVonMatterhorn · 24/09/2021 19:00

@CheeseTiger

Why are people always blaming schools for government policy
This. Every fucking time.

Stop being stupid dumbass sheep and start thinking for yourself.

OnlyFlans · 24/09/2021 19:00

How does the school expect you and your husband to do the school run if you both have covid and must self isolate?

School would be asking you to break the law if they want you to leave your house (and you could also be fined). I'd point this out to the school.

I can't imagine friends and family would be queuing up to do the school run for you either- as they have their own work and family commitments and probably don't want to risk getting covid from your DD.

OliveTree75 · 24/09/2021 19:23

I've had a girl in my class today stay off today because her sister has covid. Her mam isn't vaccinated so has to isolate and can't get her to school so is keeping her off. She sent me a dojo saying the girls share a room so wouldn't be comfortable sending her anyway. There has been a few instances like this but tbf many of our parents aren't bothered about unauthorised absenses.

OliveTree75 · 24/09/2021 19:24

@OnlyFlans

How does the school expect you and your husband to do the school run if you both have covid and must self isolate?

School would be asking you to break the law if they want you to leave your house (and you could also be fined). I'd point this out to the school.

I can't imagine friends and family would be queuing up to do the school run for you either- as they have their own work and family commitments and probably don't want to risk getting covid from your DD.

School will already know. It isn't their rules.