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Original poster

A thread for boarding school parents 2020

282 replies

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 31/07/2020 11:45

Have we got such a thread?
I did look but couldn’t see one.
If we haven’t wouldn’t anyone like to join me in this thread to support each other during these strange times. Getting a child off to boarding school is hard enough anyway for so many reasons but it’s decidedly more difficult at this time.
How are you all doing?

OP posts:
Sparticle · 31/12/2020 14:46

We’ve heard from DS’s school (for new posters it’s state boarding so approx 20% boarders). Boarding houses are open as planning from Monday with term starting on Tuesday, but boarders don’t have to go back yet. A week of online lessons for everyone then from the 11th it’ll be years 11 and U6 and online for the others and back to face-to-face for all from the 18th (COVID permitting obviously).

DS is keen to go back next week to see the few of his friends who will be back and he wants to be with the couple of boarders who are in his form in case he has any questions about prep etc. Can’t say I blame him although I’d rather he stayed here for an extra two weeks!

Londonmummy66 · 01/01/2021 20:48

We've heard from both DC's schools. In both cases seniors online lessons next week, yrs 11 and 13 only in the following week and remaining seniors to return the following weekend. So a one week delay for year 13 and two for year 12.

MrsMiaWallis · 01/01/2021 20:50

Hi all. Two dcs in year 13 and 10.

Online for year 13 until 11th, then testing then boarding
Online for year 10 until 18th then testing then boarding

petitdonkey · 02/01/2021 12:37

Online here - international boarders can return on the 11th (for now!) but then uk based boarders back on 24th.

leftandaright · 02/01/2021 18:39

Dc1 back as planned 10 Jan for full boarding in house and online lessons from the house , testing and then back into classrooms/year group community from 18th. He is not year 11 or 13.
Dc2 back into boarding and lessons for year 8 prep.
My boys are very happy to be going back as planned.

Sparticle · 03/01/2021 09:41

I’m back to sewing labels today on the clothes and other things DS got for Christmas. The joys!

Xiaoxiong · 03/01/2021 09:51

@sprongle1 yes our prep is bringing Year 8 back as an exam year. So the only year group that is a week delayed return is Year 7.

With the drums beating in the media for full school closures though, and given we aren't supposed to return till the 10th, I don't think the school will open at all as the govt will U turn on schools - not for lack of willing, kids and teachers desperate to return at our schools. I know it helps the teachers' confidence that any CEV staff have been allowed to teach remotely through the whole of Michaelmas and all staff can wear whatever PPE they want. DH wears a mask (as do all students) when moving around his school and his schoolroom has plenty of space to social distance.

I'm not remotely concerned about the DCs, at their ages and no underlying conditions they're more likely to get seriously ill or die from chicken pox.

Sparticle · 04/01/2021 21:28

Took DS back at 3:30 today. Had a call from the HM at 9 saying the house is closing due to the new lockdown and we have to collect him tomorrow. Argh :(

sprongle1 · 04/01/2021 22:19

Just had email to say school open for key workers but boarding isn't . Great, not. She'd better engage online as if not, the school is too far away for me to take her in as a day pupil. Fortunately even as a key worker I can work from home but I can't work and look after her/help her with school work.

Such a nightmare for any overseas boarders who'd already flown over, or those from the UK who have travelled long distances to get to school already.

Finally2021 · 05/01/2021 01:19

Did anyone take boarders back and now have to collect them?

I have two close relatives with DC at the same school. One took her DC back but the other had a gut feeling and held off. Now the first relative has another 6 hour round trip to collect. Aargh!

Xiaoxiong · 05/01/2021 08:57

Oh @Sparticle what a ball-ache! Hope he saw some of his friends, even if just for one night...

petitdonkey · 05/01/2021 09:09

Dd is absolutely gutted as she loved her first term boarding. Originally they were going to take back overseas boarders but I suspect we will get an email today saying that’s not going to happen. One girl went to the US for Christmas, is already back and now has to fly home again!!!

Sparticle · 05/01/2021 09:11

@Xiaoxiong yes we told DS to enjoy seeing them last night so hopefully they had fun!

As we arrived to drop him off, two Spanish students were also arriving, ready to quarantine in the med centre. When the HM called last night, he told me that he was having to drive them back to the nearest airport to meet their parents and somehow head home. I think nearly all the other international students had held off returning for a week or two.

houseinthewoods · 06/01/2021 20:58

Boarding pupils are back from this weekend for my dc, but no weekly boarding option so it's either full boarding or online learning from home.....

Takeittotheboss · 08/01/2021 22:08

House.....is that right? Your school is taking all full-time boarders back?

topsyturvvy · 10/01/2021 15:40

Yes full time boarders, but no option of weekly boarding so they can keep a sealed bubble... mass testing in place. I think quite a few schools are offering the Same thing, but also some have just closed to all pupils from what I've heard....

MrsMiaWallis · 10/01/2021 20:13

topsyturvy

Aren't schools supposed to be closed?! Boarding or no.

sprongle1 · 10/01/2021 21:28

@MrsMiaWallis
They can be open for key workers and vulnerable children. Not sure they can open for anyone else, but I know at least one school that was open last summer for full boarders only but that was when some year groups were allowed in and AFAIK schools were allowed to take in further year groups if they could do so safely.
I know there are specialist SEN boarding schools open, for example.

topsyturvvy · 10/01/2021 23:45

Yep sorry wasn't clear, it's open for boarders with parents that are key workers and for vunerable children...

MrsMiaWallis · 11/01/2021 07:39

Ah of course sorry.

Ours opened in Sept full boarding or day, but day was kept completely seperate. No weekly or flexi boarding allowed.

topsyturvvy · 11/01/2021 08:14

The key worker list is so much broader this time, compared to the last time schools were shut that a very large amount of boarders are back (also vulnerable children) it seems.

sprongle1 · 20/01/2021 14:15

Just had email to say boarding is opening Feb 1st for remote learning only. ....

Sparticle · 26/02/2021 10:18

Hi all, so DS will be going back on the 9th for testing and starting lessons on the Wednesday as they are staggering returns to get all the testing done. It's been brilliant having him home, but I want him back with his friends and having face-to-face learning - Teams lessons have been great but I know he is really missing the socialising, bless him.

How about your DC?

sprongle1 · 26/02/2021 11:29

Our boarders all supposed to go back Sun 7th March if they hadn't gone in before then as vulnerable/key workers. Think lessons start from Monday afternoon but its a small school so they can probably test everyone by then.

SarahBeenysBikerJacket · 26/02/2021 12:18

Still waiting to find out, but expect they will be back on 7th. They are trying to work out how to do the new remote learning timetable with 70% in and 30% at home!