Christmas plays private schools

[bellamountain]

So this is not to cause a state vs private school debate but for the past two years (nearly) most state schools haven't been entirely restriction free. My DS state primary went back for a few weeks in September this year to finally be able to eat with other year groups in the dining hall, have assemblies and play with the other year 1 class on the playground before it was stopped due to covid cases. They are cordoned off and not allowed to play with the other class outside. The Christmas plays for all the state schools in my area are cancelled, as are many school trips, Christmas fetes etc.

Meanwhile, the private schools in the area are carrying on as normal. Christmas events in full swing ahead and they have many more than the typical state school in any event. Parents allowed at functions, champagne the lot. Kids mixing freely with other classes. It's all normal. Kids might be asked to wear masks in chapel now but that's as far as it goes.

Of course a private education is going to be better and all the trimmings that go with it but is it only at state school kids who are disease vectors? It's just utterly ridiculous that everything outside of school is normal, parties, cinema, sports, nightclubs, restaurants etc etc but we can't see our kids in a Christmas play?? I don't begrudge the private schools at all, it's just precious moments taken away (kids are only little for a short while).

I don't understand what you mean. My children attend the local school (although both currently pre-prep section) but throughout they have had restrictions. They only have 2 classes per year but they don't mix with eachother. They are hoping to do a Christmas play per class (but have already warned that it is currently limited to 1 adult per household and may be cancelled for parents and recorded again as per last year. We also have special drop off time per class and you have to sit in your car for the class teacher to get them straight from the car etc. I don't think it matters whether private or state. All schools will put measures in based on case numbers etc

I teach in a state school and we are doing Christmas performances. We're just doing single classes rather than joint to limit the number of people.

However, state schools usually have a lot more people in so obviously more likelihood of cases.

you have to sit in your car for the class teacher to get them straight from the car
WTF? All our schools encourage everyone to walk in. Why is everyone in a car?

You are wrong as it is not about being private or state. 🙄

DD in local state primary, most school Xmas events here going ahead as usual except Xmas fair outdoors this year.

What!!!!???? You don't get 'champagne the lot' at state school Xmas events.

What is the world coming to?

We get prosecco or mulled wine at our state school, but it's paid for to raise school funds. Better than the mince pies, we're happy to help out and will indulge accordingly.

Must be local decisions ...here in NW my DGD ( year1) has had this term....year disco....class pool party ( school have their own pool) harvest show in church ( parents able to attend)and firework display( for parents and children)....they are also doing a key stage 1 Christmas production ( one parent able to attend only) and are having school year Xmas parties.... assemblies are now back on as normal

My kids are at a private school and have had just as many restrictions as state schools- not being able to mix outside bubbles, masks for everything, assemblies done on zoom etc. Private schools are subject to PHE rules exactly as state schools are. Risk assessment is based on things like numbers and case rates, not star v private.

My children are at a private school. They’ve gone back to year bubbles, masks inside, cancelling events where parents come into school.

Blame your individual school or the LA that has chosen to cancel Christmas events. It’s irrelevant what choices private schools have made. Our state school is going ahead with the nativity, Christmas fare and carol service.

It is difficult

We are in full swing at Ds school (private) and I do appreciate it

I think some state might be doing stuff

State primary here and I haven’t set foot inside the school building in nearly 2 years. No events have been held whatsoever, even outdoors. No external school trips. No after school extra curricular clubs.

It’s beyond a joke now and the school is losing a lot of goodwill.

Our state school has not yet cancelled the Christmas performance. I REALLY hope they do as cases are g high at school atm, and I’m not personally comfortable going in to watch because so many of the other parents are selfish fuckers who don’t bother with masks despite repeated requests from the head. It will be my daughter’s last Christmas production so I’ve very mixed feelings about this but it’s 10 days before Christmas and I cannot possibly see how it would be a good idea.

A private school near us has cancelled many events due to number of COVID cases. Also closed a few year groups and back to remote provision.

Surely it depends on the number of cases in a school. Private schools are advised by PHE too

This is down to individual schools and how they interpret the rules and how hard they want to go, isn’t it? Regardless of state or private.

Our school was pretty cautious in the last academic year. This year the kids are together again in the playgrounds, mixing throughout year groups at after school club, external clubs and activities back on.

Christmas fair is happening, albeit outdoors (which frankly will be just as nice because the corridors at the Christmas Fair are always a zoo and unpleasant!), Christmas plays are happening, but year group by year group rather than two year groups together, Christmas parties and cards are happening, we just did a PTA fundraiser comedy night in person and have a few more coming up; we’re planning the school discos for next term.

I was at a whole school assembly yesterday to see one of my kids get an award; it was lovely.

(school trips are also back on - only restrictions being which venues are taking school trips and in what numbers; they’re also doing events with other schools eg the choir doing a huge event with other schools at Westminster Abbey next week.)

DD’s private school has very strict covid testing requirements. Any positive cases in the class, and the entire class are sent home for PCR tests. Lateral flow tests and masks are compulsory for all age groups (from reception upwards). State schools are not allowed to do that. But it has kept outbreaks at a low level and as such, some events have been allowed to take place.

My state infants start their Christmas performances next week. Parents are invited, though asked to wear masks and ideally test beforehand - we have vulnerable staff and children in school. We are hoping to get through the next 3 weeks holding the nine separate class nativities in person, plus they are also being recorded e who are unable to attend.

Whilst we have a number of precautions still in place in school we are following our LEA guidance. If they have to make changes last minute due to an increase in cases or this new variant then we will follow their advice.

Fwiw the local private primary school is doing all their nativities online this year as they have had a recent increase in covid positive numbers.

I think it depends on the school, the area and number of cases. This goes for mitigations (air filtration, option to school remotely if sibling infected etc) as well as activities.

We are a state school. Christmas is going full steam ahead. The whole school is going to a panto next week. The are going on coaches them to the local theatre. Then we have the Christmas plays on 6th (parents attending). Christmas Fayre the following weekend (indoors) & they are having a whole school Christmas fun day in the last week. I’m on the PTA who have been organising all this stuff.

I guess it could get cancelled but so far, it’s all go. Same at other local schools too according my friends. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Our school had a massive covid outbreak before half term. We did have bubbles etc reintroduced but just for a couple weeks and then back to normal. I’m really glad my school are taking a measured & mind extreme stance on covid. Kids deserve some normality.

Private schools typically took full fees off parents during two lockdowns despite many losing their jobs etc… lots of super stressed parents. Schools probably now trying to make up for it…. I have friends who paid 17000 for primary education in 2019/2020 for 1.5 terms of schooling and virtually nothing online. So I wouldn’t feel too jealous….

My DCs go to a state school. Yr 6 parents are allowed to watch the Christmas play (Yr 6 have all the main parts, rest of KS2 are chorus).

Oh and DD (Yr 6) is going to a Christmas panto next week and DS (theatre trip) so Christmas definitely not cancelled in state schools.

DS1 is at a state school. They had in-person parents evening, are inviting parents in for Christmas plays/concerts (in the playground if possible, but still on the grounds). Christmas Fayre is on.

DS2 is at a private school. Online parents evening. We queue to pick up. No parents in school. Christmas Fayre has been cancelled and replaced with in-school activities for the kids.

It's not a state/private thing. It's a specific school thing and what each school is prepared to risk.