Shielded child returning to school

[16fairies]

Does anyone else have a shielded child due to return to secondary in Sept?

My ds consultant has said he can return but we need to monitor the R rate in the area, he must wear a mask, ideally not travel on public transport, strictly socially distance. He attends a massive school 2000+ children, 240 in his year.

Masks will not be mandatory, feels like he will certainly be at risk after months of being so careful.

Wondered how other parents are feeling?

zafferana
If I were you OP I'd want a meeting with the school to discuss this (even if it's done over Zoom) and them to commit in writing to what the consultant says your DS needs and if they cannot do that I'd seriously consider not sending him back.

You do know that some SENCOs/SLTs will just sign the letter and then leave the poor staff to deal with all the shit that comes from it?

I’m a secondary teacher and would be more than happy to help get your child back in as safely as possible. Strategies would include:

• sitting in a corner closest to the door (this allows the child to enter the room last and leave first)
• always sit with the same student (this may be a total of 3/4 students as the same student may not go to all the same classes). This would help reduce his bubble size.
• leave lesson 5 mins early to avoid congestion in the corridors
• lunch/break - given access to quieter area (Although I doubt a teenager would stick to that but ask for it anyway)
• Allow access to toilet during lesson time so that congestion is avoided
• Leave school 5 mins early and be picked up on site (once again to avoid congestion)

Your main aim is to reduce bubble size. So if he could pick a group of 3/4 friends that are in every class they can sit nearest him. I don’t know how he is in class (I know some lovely boys that never sit together because they stop being lovely - typical teenagers) but if he can work well with them that would be your best solution.

BTW I feel this is a good solution for any child who lives with a shielding individual too.

- sitting in a corner closest to the door (this allows the child to enter the room last and leave first)

If they leave the class first and enter their next class last is there somewhere away from crowded corridors to go in between?