Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Schools communication with parents about covid cases despite spike in cases

96 replies

Cet73 · 06/10/2021 13:14

So my dd in secondary school and we have no notifications about anything related to the number of covid cases within the school. Now I know others have commented on this and that schools no longer responsible for track & trace BUT I am aware of a lot of cases via peers of dd and mums, who doing the track & tracing PLUS really shocked today as in our area in Hampshire, according to the ZOE app, cases are up 600 from last week and the spike is extremely sharp from last week - possibly the highest number this year.

I wondered if many your kids schools, as cases have risen a lot, are communicating with parents about it and if any schools re introducing mitigations like face coverings.

I appreciate that covid not as serious in children and that life needs to return to normal, however my dd (year 10) just returned to school today after a week off with a non-covid cold/fluey bug (PCR and several LFTs negative) and both my children have other health problems (not CEV) but health issues which mean they often have to take time off school. I wish at least we could be better informed by the school and personally, I would welcome the return of face coverings whilst the cases are so high (although appreciate many don't agree with this).

The vaccination is being rolled out at dd school next week, but I am sure many, through out the UK, won't be able to have it if they are unwell with another cold type bug or with covid (how many weeks after do you need to wait for vaccine after getting covid??)

Kc

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/10/2021 13:37

We had a letter today with an updated list of symptoms that have to have a PCR (not the NHS list!) And that close contacts also need a PCR.
So far they have had 32 confirmed cases this term, (420 pupils)

PileOfBooks · 06/10/2021 13:41

I have no idea how many cases there are in my local schools. Annecdotally both my primary and secondary child are aware of cases in their own year at least...

I think we would be more likley to panic if they were still reporting...

YourKidsIf · 06/10/2021 13:49

Our secondary school has got more cases than ever before - 10 across the school. But that pales into insignificance at primary schools I know of where there are 20 in a single class! Our school publishes the information about when they will bring in extra measures in their Covid policy.

Miracle29 · 06/10/2021 14:56

Our secondary school only let us know about cases in my ds year group because so many children were testing positive which stated to just keep them off if they have symtoms and the school will do a class lft ect. My ds had told me a group of his friends tested positive but he was not called for track and trace which surprised me as he is with them everyday. I did however test him regularly and did pcr test anyway but he did say there were so many off testing positive and not yet heard much more.

Flup · 06/10/2021 16:21

DD is a teacher at a large comp. 300 off with covid last week.
Schools are not telling parents because they are no longer responsible for tracing contacts.

Original poster
Cet73 · 06/10/2021 16:47

Thanks for your replies. This the what seems like a sudden spike in cases in our area....anyone else noticed such a spike in their area?

Schools communication with parents about covid cases despite spike in cases
OP posts:
User54278 · 06/10/2021 17:15

Our school doesn't tell parents, and I am fine with that.
I wouldn't do anything differently if I knew about case numbers.
My DC are CV are double vaccinated now, as are we.
Not that it's an I'm-alright-Jack attitude, just that the kids have to go to school and so we must live with it.
I would highly object to class bubbles being reintroduced, that adversely penalises people who have accepted the vaccine(s) (assuming they have been offered, I know not all areas are up and running properly yet, despite the vaccine being authorised for over-12s since June).
Masks I am fine with, my DC do wear their masks on school bus and in corridors, though they are the minority. If you are worried, get your DC to wear their masks instead of putting the responsibility on someone else. You and your DC are fully entitled to wear your masks any time or any place you want to manage your own risks and take personal responsibility.

DogBirthday · 06/10/2021 17:17

No idea how many cases though DC thinks year will be sent home soon as so many missing.

MrsLCSofLichfield · 06/10/2021 17:51

Massive spike in our area. Absolutely fuck-all information about COVID vaccinations. Flu vaccinations have been postponed due to staff shortages. FFS.

Watsername · 06/10/2021 18:03

Huge spike here. Highest it’s ever been.

xksismybestletter · 06/10/2021 18:05

I have the opposite problem and the school email me to say when there are 3 or so cases. And now there are rumours of mitigations. And they "reminded" us to "continue with lfts" for our first school kids..... which pissed me right off.

Miracle29 · 06/10/2021 19:06

We haven't heard anything about the vaccine for children in our schools yet.
How do you find out how many are in your local area on the zoe app?

phlebasconsidered · 06/10/2021 19:57

I am a teacher with covid. There's a huge amount of kids off, staff off. Trouble getting supply. Problem is, there's still a lot of kids with "colds" in, hence me being in bed feeling like death. The "colds" are quite often subsequently found to be covid when older siblings catch it and are more poorly. I very much doubt the school has even told my class i'm off with covid. And i've been told not to mention it on social media.

FourLaneEnds · 06/10/2021 20:00

All of this is dealt with by and through Public Health. Schools have to report COVID cases,over a certain number and PH give the school the appropriate letters to send out, once assessed as

FourLaneEnds · 06/10/2021 20:01

Apologies - once assessed as 'an outbreak'.

Fallagain · 06/10/2021 20:03

We have the first covid case in my DDs class this week. No message from school about it despite child’s parent informing school.

MushMonster · 06/10/2021 20:07

Lots of changes from last June!
They only send an email if identifued as close contact. They only recommend a PCR. They still can go to school if they are well.
So, only isolate and stay off school if they have tested positive. Siblings and parents can still go to school or work if well, no symptoms, and vaccinated.
We do not have any idea of how many cases have been going around, as we are not longer told about each single positive result.

ElephantandGrasshopper · 06/10/2021 20:07

Our school isn't telling us about covid cases any more, but I'm aware of quite a few through class WhatsApps. Tbh when the school did tell us about cases, all they could say was that one child in your child's bubble of 60 had tested positive, they couldn't name the child so you didn't know if it was their best friend who they sat next to all day or someone in a different class that they never spoke to.

MrsHamlet · 06/10/2021 20:11

Public health have asked us to go back to masks in "public areas" in school. Our numbers are shocking but we're not allowed to tell parents.

Timeisavirtue · 06/10/2021 20:13

DS school had some confirmed cases, they never confirmed how many. Next thing we’ve got an email saying they are going back to COVID precautions with the mask wearing and one way systems around the school. They also sent a passive aggressive email about making sure all students do a lateral flow test tonight. He won’t be doing one as he has ASD and short of causing a major meltdown he also has issues with nose bleeds. It’s not happening. He also can’t wear masks. It is a shit situation and would be great if he could do them but it is what it is and if he develops symptoms I will get a pcr for him.

hollyivysaurus · 06/10/2021 21:04

I'm a teacher, we had 12 confirmed cases in 24 hours the other day. It isn't being communicated to parents and feels absolutely crazy at work!

My child's primary school, interestingly, is still notifying parents when there is a confirmed case within a year group, they've had 3 in the last week or so. I've been impressed that they've still been passing this information on considering they don't have to.

Original poster
Cet73 · 07/10/2021 06:26

I'm quite shocked that schools now not allowed tell parents updates on cases; I am sure if it was norovirus they would be. Surely 'freedom of information' means parents are allowed to ask and be informed?? Kc x

OP posts:
HelloDulling · 07/10/2021 06:32

Anecdotally, lots of cases at DD’s secondary, she was one of them last week. They are wearing masks in corridors etc, but not in classrooms. School reminding us re symptoms and LFTs, but no info on numbers.

Cattitudes · 07/10/2021 06:36

One of my dc schools is updating parents with numbers in class and sending close contacts home, another one has returned to masks and another one is identifying close contacts and requesting PCRs. They all seem to be doing something different but they are all at least doing something.

Silkieschickens · 07/10/2021 06:39

One school is saying - 10 and 2 staff, the other one isn't saying just said that it is currently under 10% of pupils off with covid at the moment.