Offered a place at school

[QuixoticQuokka]

My 13 year old has been offered a place at school by their HOY. I am a sole parent and they are an only child home alone for a full time work week. I had replied to a general how is everyone going email just to let their HOY know our situation, that my child is doing schoolwork independently while I an at work, that they are not being homeschooled. It is a grammar school and we don't fit the usual demographic, most of my child's friends have a parent at home. Would you consider sending your child to school in this situation?

Yes i would if the child was happy with that. They might like the company

I mean it's up to you. How is your child coping? They must be quite lonely.

No I wouldn’t unless your child really is struggling

If you and your ds are both have no health issues then yes I would, just so he has company in the day. I would discuss it with him though at 13, and only send him if he wants to go

Or dd don’t know where I got ds from sorry.

Ask your son/daughter? School is a lot different to what they left behind when the pandemic started .... ie friends probably won’t be there - mixed with other years groups etc.

If they are happy to go - I’d let them to honest! More piece mind for you whilst you are at work.... schools do active social distancing so I would be okay with it.

Yes, I’d rather they were with people rather than by themselves all day. It must be quite a long day being by yourself.

I'd ask your child. 13 is old enough to make that decision.

Pros are company, structure, educational support, you can focus on work.
Cons are infection risk, might not be many their age there.

They say they are happy at home, I am just worried about them being alone and at home all day every day. Holidays are usually broken up somewhat by me taking annual leave and activities with friends.

They are spending all day on their tablet or computer, doing schoolwork, reading, watching videos, playing computer games, talking to friends but no other hobbies. I've suggested things but they don't want to try anything. Before this they were going to school and getting out of the house two nights a week for Scouts and sport, which has now all stopped. They now walk with me for 45 minutes a day, that's it.

Neither of us are at all vulnerable and I'm fairly certain I've had it. They are not keen on going to school, it's me worried about them.

Sorry I thought there was just one child. If there's more than one I assume they can keep each other company. I wouldn't want one going and not the other though.

Just one child

I'd send them in. See how they get on. If it's packed with little y7s and they hate it than maybe keep them home. Sounds like school would be more ideal though.

I just want schools reopened, half days, two days a week, anything. I've tried talking to my child and they don't want to go if their friends are not going. I am concerned that they don't want to engage with anything other than what they are currently doing and I am struggling with having to go to work and leave them all day when I am not even an essential worker.

I've told my child that they absolutely can not stay home until September though, if we don't find out soon that schools will reopen next term then they will have to go back to school.