How many key workers children in your primary school?

[FreekStar]

My school has 70% of children eligible All the staff will be in full time including lunchtime supervisors etc. We might as well be open to everyone in my opinion!

@MotherExtraordinaire

I think that some of these percentages are ridiculous and to be blunt it sounds as though the parents are taking the absolute piss.

Tighter restrictions should be in place. Evidence that they are a CW. Proof they're working out of the home and if two parents both should be out of the home and CW imo.

Until these numbers reduce to absolute minimum numbers, that truly reflect the community and meet the above, numbers will just climb.

Given that there's evidence now that teachers are 3 to 4 times more at risk, this is absolutely selfish behaviour.

Yes this

20% are listed and a place made available. Not even half of those were in school today and 2/3 of those registered are not key workers but vulnerable children.

Is there supposed to be a class size limit of 15?

I'm school staff.

Is everyone else? I also didn't think all school staff had access to safeguarding lists etc.

There are around 35% in ours.

I sent my dc back and we are a one CW/2 parent family.

I'm a teacher but on mat leave, my OH is a social worker. I never, ever would, but technically could I send my kids to their schools then?!!!

Probably about 10% of the school.

I think it is scandalous that different areas are clearly interpreting the regulations differently.

In my school (Scotland) BOTH parents must be key workers working OUTSIDE of home. If they are both key workers but one is WFH then they are not eligible for a place. Only exception is single parents. A colleague of mine (primary teacher) is not being given a nursery place despite the fact her husband is a key worker because she is teaching remotely from home. How can she teach from home with a 6 month old....?

However, another teacher friend of mine (also Scotland but different LA) has a pupil in her class with ONE key worker dad and the mum is a stay at home parent with no employment. They are an only child so it's not even as if mum has a baby to manage. It's outrageous.

I can well believe these high figures. Our school does absolutely no checks or asking for evidence, you can literally put whatever you like as your job title, there's a lot of piss taking going on which is causing resentment amongst those either not eligible, or choosing not to take up a place. Like last time it creates a two tier school system, those in school get full teaching (at our school I know it's not the same for all schools) whilst those at home get weekly Twinkl sheets and naff all else 😒🤔

I still can't get my head around the fact that a two-parent family with a SAHP (not working) can send their child / children in. Is that right? I'm not including EHCP/vulnerable children etc of course in this, I appreciate why this might be preferable/necessary.
My situation...
I'm a KW currently on mat leave. My OH is a social worker. At home we have a secondary and a primary child (both with additional needs but not "vulnerable") and a 7 month-old baby.
Whilst I'm on mat leave it's my responsibility to keep the kids at home. Don't get me wrong - it's extremely hard at times- but it's the right thing to do IMO.

Once again it looks as though this whole thing will be strung out by people taking advantage. If you one parent can work from home then you do not need to send your children to school, nor should you really. Of course there may be a few exceptions to this, but for the most part too many children are going in.

We've been told there's no key worker places left and children will now be sent to other schools. We are in an area where everyone works for the same large organisation where most parents are critical workers so it makes sense our numbers are high. They've been told they'll only be getting supervised iPad use though.

Is it surprising really though? Working Parents have had enough

I'm a teacher and we have over half our school in.

I was shocked by how many parents were making comments about how great it was that their child could come to school instead of being stuck at home with them and a baby / toddler. I have total sympathy for parents trying to homeschool and parent but I don't see how things are going to improve when we have so many children in.

My sons school is only allowing children in where both parents are key workers and their numbers are much lower.

If you're a key worker wfh, you are still working and cannot supervise your children/home school. Because you are working.

I am a key worker as is DH. DH is away from home and I am at home (mostly). I could not do my job if I was home schooling as well. Sorry. My child needs to be in school.

Also there is no Gov limit on numbers only criteria. Every family who needs to send their children in can do so. Non key workers do not need to but employers are meant to be sympathetic if children are at home.

I feel so desperately sorry for Head Teachers right now.

Last time 15 or 20 children went in. Around 200 pupils in the school. This time I expect it is going to be more.

"Is it surprising really though? Working Parents have had enough"

I'm sure everyone has had enough but it's a matter of preventing the spread of this terrible virus. The more children in schools the less effective the lockdown will be and the longer it will take to get back to some sort of normality.

@mellongoose
I am a key worker as is DH. DH is away from home and I am at home (mostly). I could not do my job if I was home schooling as well

You're part of the problem.

How do you think every other wfh parent is managing?

"you're so selfish. This is such a self centred move. You're Al right. Stuff that this will no doubt extend the time frame for lockdowns. The fact that you are choosing to put rhe staff and other children at increased risk for your ease of life!*

The sad thing is that no doubt this will lead to further infections. And probably deaths of others loved ones. I suppose such people as yourself need to hope that this isn't your loved ones.

@Norestformrz

True but if it's a choice between paying the mortgage and sending the kids to school I know what most parents will choose. It's ok for secondary age children who can be left largely alone at home but primary age parents have to stay home.

Just goes to show how few parents actually supported teachers and their constant calls to shut the schools

What a kind thing to say.

You don't know what my job is. I often have to go 'on site' at a moment's notice. That could be weekly or with weeks in between. The rest of my role is (at the moment) wfh.

Everyone is doing what they can since times are far from normal. Your judgment of me says more about you. The rest of us are getting on with it. I am grateful for key workers being able to get places in schools. All children who need a place should have one.

@MotherExtraordinaire

I think that some of these percentages are ridiculous and to be blunt it sounds as though the parents are taking the absolute piss.

Tighter restrictions should be in place. Evidence that they are a CW. Proof they're working out of the home and if two parents both should be out of the home and CW imo.

Until these numbers reduce to absolute minimum numbers, that truly reflect the community and meet the above, numbers will just climb.

Given that there's evidence now that teachers are 3 to 4 times more at risk, this is absolutely selfish behaviour.

I agree. I totally comprehend that everyone has had enough of this and that working from home while home schooling is an extreme challenge but I honestly believe we're going to be in this for longer whilst schools continue to operate at these capacities. Different rules in different schools too regarding the number of parents who have to be Key/critical workers. What's that all about!?

Unfortunately schools aren't safe and we've now reached a point where 1-50 people are infected with COVID and the evidence shows young children those under 17 are most likely to be the ones bringing the virus into the home.

.

It makes me so cross - I'm a single parent key worker but can work at home so just sucking it up. I know there are multiple parents completely rinsing the system on this locally- call me cynical but I have to wonder whether the fact that it is January, dark & cold rather than lighter summer months has also increased the numbers