Has your DC's school(s) given any indication of what they are planning for September?

[MGMidget]

Our DC's school (private) has just done 'transition' presentations (on Zoom) for parents as they do each year to discuss the move up to the following year. They are behaving as though everything will be back to normal. We've been asked to fill in bookings (as usual) for clubs/extra curricular activities (some of which definitely couldn't be done at the moment based on social distancing rules). All clubs involve children from different classes and year groups mingling. They are promoting the school trips for next year, starting in September. They are preparing the children to move up in their normal class sizes. The usual glossy pics have been presented of happy children hugging each other as illustrations of what the school can offer etc etc. None of this seems real to me. They haven't even mentioned what contingency plans they have or are considering to prepare for disruption, lockdown, self-isolations of 'bubbles' if we're in bubbles etc (i.e. no mention of any home learning provision being planned). I am wondering if other schools are behaving like this too? I appreciate everything is very uncertain at the moment but it feels like they are ignoring the elephant in the room. What have you been told about provision for the next school year from your DC's school (s)?

We've been told which teachers are going to teach which class but that's it so far.

I'm a teacher. We don't know what's going to happen yet any more than you do. Our local authority have told head teachers not to make any plans until the government provide guidance - class sizes/ bubbles/ rules for distancing and cleaning etc.

Schools can only plan as normal for class groups/ teachers etc. We are preparing for different eventualities but have no idea what's actually going to happen. We can't share anything until we do know.

The Government's guidance hasn't been published yet, should be sometime next week. Think it is premature for schools to say anything yet. Assume there will need to be contingency plans regardless of the guidance (if the guidance doesn't include any).

However, I assume as a Private school they are selling themselves to ensure they keep pupils/acquire new pupils. Also it is possible Private schools may finish for the Summer before the guidance is actually published.

Yes, DD is transitioning to junior school and they have sent a welcome pack and a video message from the teachers. Day 1 will act as a transfer day for kids to get to know the teacher etc and then they will gradually move into the usual routine from the next week. No hot school dinners and no clubs until after Oct half term.

As DancingShadows says- we don't know ourselves yet.
We are thinking about how different scenarios might work, but not 'planning' as it would be pointless until we know why the gov wants.

Cross fingers and wait for Government guidance. If there's any form of social distancing, my school is buggered, frankly. They have neither the staff nor the classrooms to expand.

The schools haven’t been told what’s happening yet. Waiting for Government to decide the plan.

Schools used to get news of what was happening in the daily briefings - at the same time as the parents heard. My school is making plans for September but it's all guesswork really because we have no idea what the government will announce and when.

We had an email this week to say that they're expecting there to be no before or after school clubs for a while but regardless defo not for the first 2 weeks. All children are supposed to be back but it will be staggered and we will get each child's start date at the end of this term. My y5 child is back for the first time on Monday next week

Haven’t heard a word from either secondary or primary school, including not having heard a word about my Reception starter. Hating the uncertainty but I know nobody has any certainty!

No, they are waiting for government guidance....

They're aiming for as normal as they're allowed is all we know. Waiting on the next barrage of guidance to make firmer plans than that. We know classes and teachers for whenever they're back into normal classes.

It's a fucking scandalous situation how these children and their families are being treated, and since childcare generally falls disproportionately on women - it's a scandal in terms of the impact it's going to have on women's earning and career progression and future financial security as well.

We have various timetables to suit various times of return from 'old normal' to 'full lockdown'. The decision will not be made until a week before school starts and it depends upon what the Government and guidance is.

Nobody knows for certain.

We have been told that they're planning for the return of all pupils, but not to expect "normal" school as usual. The year groups will be staggered, and won't all start back on the first day. They're installing extra handwashing stations around the school and looking into PPE. Beyond that, they're still awaiting government advice.

Lucky you for having a school which is planning positively - why shouldn't things be back to normal? This 'social distancing' is not going to continue -human being s are social animals and we have a always lived with infectious diseases and far worse one than this. And in much of the world children are at risk from other fatal diseases (malaria etc) and they do not wrap themselves I. Colton wool, they get on with life. I hope the Gvt tells school to just bloody get back to normal and if staff don't like it they can leave and if parents don't like it they can homeschool.

Thanks, it looks like some schools are being more realistic. I think ours has gone into public relations overdrive prior to sending out their next fee invoice!

Umbrella, your response crossed with mine. Just to say that yes, they are trying to put a very positive spin on things but the cynic in me thinks they know their current assumptions are unlikely to be correct for September. They want parents to keep paying so darent (in my view) present a more realistic scenario of what their school will be like in the Autumn!

Private Primary school as well. All year groups are back full time now (and have been for 2 weeks or so), so we expect them to be in full time next year. Wrap around care and school transport is open - they’ll do what they can, but don’t guarantee.
We also had a full live online curriculum during lockdown, so everybody knows what to do in case. Its an amazing school

Private primary. No idea what they are planning except we know who class teachers will be.
All year groups are back at school, most full time with staggered drop off and pick up times. Years 3 and 4 are doing 4 days a week with Friday off for deep cleaning.
Work is being set on the class dojo for Fridays by the specialist teachers- so music, French and Science on Fridays.
Before and after school club has been cancelled until further notice. Some classes are on packed lunches.
I am happy with this and if it continues next academic year that would be OK, he’s getting an education.

We've been asked about what IT we have and the indication is that they are planning a return where some of the provision is from home online and some in school.

Seems quite sensible to me.

Independent school - GDST

Nothing at all- going into y10, hasn’t been in school since March.

Private school.

Lengthy correspondence. Basically saying they're hoping for full return but planning for other options.

First day back will be with old teachers in old classrooms to say goodbye. Lots of talk about how settling back, checking mental health is going to be a priority for the foreseeable. I'm so pleased at that. Then in weeks 3&4 there will be assessments followed by individual plans to either catch up or move forwards. All talked about in a "were the teachers, we will make sure they are happy and caught up, we know the pressures you've been under"

So very little detail but I'm very happy with the general gist of what they'll be doing.

Should have said mine are diddy - y2 and y3.

Also had a letter from the governors saying they're freezing fees - that's unheard of!!

No info from the state schools
Private secondary - planning for all options - positive about kids returning in Sept
Private primary - not much info, hoping for the best, said they will prioritise Y6

Primary as you were, no social distancing, full classes, staff return or no pay and it doesn’t look good if you don’t come in, which is the attitude now, I’m currently unpaid as I live with someone who is shielding even HR don’t give a shit.

Secondary - will update this week, kind caring and thinks of it’s staff and pupils 100%

My primary shut down on the Friday before lockdown the secondary the Friday before that as some staff were off, so worked only for the sixth form and 10/12 rest of year from home. Everything straight onto google classroom, they then arranged via email for each class on certain days with a time slot controller to empty their locker, I knew then my DD was never returning to year 7 that was 19th March. Our secondary school has been fantastic they still give the kids their reward points and praise via school system and recognition for their work, given our chrome books etc. Every Wednesday they send the kids and parents emails with links and numbers for local services, we get news letter every Friday with updates.