Prep Schools in Sept

[Delta1]

Sorry - I know there are a number of threads on Preps and various permutations of how things might look. Most of my friends' preps are going back in June with R/1/6, with virtually normal hours and pretty much full take up from parents.
Mine are both due to start a new Prep in Sept and the head has said he expects it to look pretty close to normal.
Have other preps said the same? I am just really worried - I dont want to sign up to a new school if there's a good chance there'll be an element of homeschooling.
This prep has a lot of space and emphasis on outdoor learning as a norm. I'm hoping for the best but would be grateful for any cross reference.

I don’t think anyone can predict with confidence what prep schools will look like in September unfortunately.

If there is still an approach of ‘children don’t have to come in, children staying at home will not be marked as unauthorised absence’, then I would expect the children in school not to be back up and running as normal, as the teachers will need some time not teaching the class, as they’ll need to balance in class teaching with supporting children who are working from home.

Also, will before and after school care be back on by then, if that is a consideration for you. At present, before and after school care is only for key worker children, and that will remain the case once YR, 1 and 6 go back. I doubt very much that the head will commit to provide wraparound care for all in September, as she just doesn’t know what the situation will be then, and how the guidelines will or will not have changed by then.

Although as an independent school they can in theory go their own way, I think in practice most preps are following the government guidelines.

Sorry, I meant ‘at our prep’ the before and after school care is only for key worker children. Not sure of the position at other preps.

Thanks vino

I wouldn't be signing up to a prep school at this time personally. In fact I have given notice at ours. I can't afford to pay fees for nothing for another term. I very much hope but very much doubt that things will be back to full normality by September

Ours has said that if the current advise either stays the same or even relaxes, it will be almost business as usual. the only difference is that specialist teachers will teach via zoom(with TA in class), no 1-2-1 music lessons and no contact sports.
After school care not clear yet.
Ours have provided an excellent online curriculum so far, soI’m happy to pay fees. Local state schools have advise: parents to treat the summer term as an extended holiday (and provided absolutely nothing), so the difference is stark.

Ours is clearly desperate to return to full business as usual, as soon as is humanly possible. I think that by September they'll be offering full timetable for everyone if they are allowed to (plus everything else, contact sports, etc). All the parents are champing at the bit as well to get their boys back (though the online provision has been fantastic).

Since it's a traditional prep there is no R or Year 1, and Year 6 is not a transition year, so the headmaster sent us all a letter saying they've been lobbying to be allowed to have back Year 8 (for transition) and Year 5 (to prepare for the ISEB pre-test in the autumn). Unfortunately there was no allowance made by the government for other year groups, so they can't let different years back as it would invalidate their insurance.

Thanks everyone. I guess we'll see.