Children Returning To School

[naomi24]

On seeing the news reports of small children returning to school yesterday, was anyone else uncomfortable with it? The social distancing rules they’re obliged to follow through the whole school day can’t make for a psychologically healthy environment for them. I couldn’t help feeling that they’d be better off being allowed to play with their friends and just getting on with school as it usually is - or staying home until such time as they can do that. I wouldn’t be happy sending a child to school in those circumstances.

[dannyk13]

The children seemed happy enough.

[Ken4155]

Watched one news item where the teacher admitted it was impossible to keep them segregated so they were allowed to interact in 'pods' of 4 or 5. The children will no doubt find this a novelty but once that wears off, who knows?

[Maydup]

I live close to a school and despite my reservations, it seemed quite calm and safe yesterday. Although there really were only a very small number of attendees and they did like guinea pigs to be honest.

They had a one way system in the school, were kept in small groups and had plenty of playground supervision. Thankfully the weather is good and they can use the outdoor space although all of the aparatus outside is out of bounds to them.

Hopefully this wont have a long term affect on this very young age group and it gives the schools a chance to perfect the systems ready for September.

[Gromit]

Yes, far too early to be returning to school when hundreds a day are still dying.

Fortunately, it looks like 50% of pupils didn’t return.

[dannyk13]

Maydup //Hopefully this wont have a long term affect on this very young age group//
I think you underestimate the resilience of children.

[horselady]

My granddaughter went back yesterday, she is in Year 6 so the last term of primary school. There were just 6 of them in each classroom because only her year went back so they could spread out over the whole school. Lunch and exercise outside and she absolutely loved it. The school is amazing with the measures they have put in place.

[youngmafbog]

"Yes, far too early to be returning to school when hundreds a day are still dying."

For Gods sake give it a rest. How many children died last week then?

[sherrardk]

I agree. Our local primary is having the little ones back for one day a week with staggered drop off and pick up, staggered lunch and break and designated seating. They were due to re-open on 8 June but have delayed until 15 June - I wouldn’t be happy sending my children although I have no idea when any of mine will be returning.

[youngmafbog]

What is interesting t me is that when it was key workers kids no one gave a monkeys. All were only too happy to have the arents able to get their kids looked after while the key worker kept their little luxuries going (food) emptied their bins, drove the buses, looked after the elderly and of course the NHS.

The school next to me wasn't doing any social distancing, the kids were playing as normal and it was a great sound to be heard to an otherwise eery silence. Now everyone else is expected to get their kids back to school so they have no excuse not to work suddenly all this nonsense, fueled by the likes of Gromit as can be seen above.

Clearly key workers kids were considered expendable. How nice of eveyone to do that, didnt they think past the end of their nose when out clapping like seals every week?

[youngmafbog]

"I wouldn’t be happy sending my children"

Can you explain why? I am not trying t catch you out or anything just genuinely interested.

And did you have a thought for key workers kids?

[jim360]

// How many children died last week then? //

The risk isn't to the children particularly. It's to the adults and vulnerable people they may pass the infection on to.

Having said that, I don't criticise the decision to partially re-open schools. What's concerning about recent policy is how many aspects of the lockdown have been relaxed at once. I hope I'm wrong to be concerned about that.

[sherrardk]

From my understanding of local schools, the take up of places by key workers children has been very small. Staff numbers have been kept to a minimum and social distancing has been adhered to. My kids were/are eligible to go to school but haven’t and yes, I do work (as does himself).

[youngmafbog]

But key workers, who are more likely to be in contact with COVID 19, was ok then?

I dnt think so.

[jim360]

By rights no, it probably wasn't, but there was no choice really in that case was there? The key workers need to work, the children need to be *somewhere* and looked after.

[youngmafbog]

sherrardk, you haven't really answered my question have you?

[sherrardk]

I wouldn’t be happy sending my kids kids because the environment sounds horrible and mentally damaging, the amount of learning they will receive will be next to nothing (by the time they’ve got them all actually sitting in a classroom). My children are older, if they return to school and are unable to be taught by the subject teacher (because that teacher is teaching another small group) then it’s pointless being there - they may as well stay at home not to mention that no one has indicated how they will get to the actual school/college.

[bednobs]

the only uncomfyness for me was that my daughter wasn't one of them!

[pixie374]

It doesn't sound like a natural, healthy environment. I'm glad mine don't need "minding" any more while I work. Although I know many key workers who were offered a school place, I don't know of any who accepted. Most people I know are waiting until at least September to see how it goes first.

[naomi24]

Ymb, //"I wouldn’t be happy sending my children"

Can you explain why? //

I thought I had but I’ll try again. I wouldn’t be happy sending small children into, what would be for them, a surreal environment where access to their usual books and toys is denied and close contact with their friends forbidden. I can't see that being good for them at all.

And yes, I have given a lot of thought to the children who have been at school throughout - and have mentioned it several times on here. I could never see why, if other children were deemed to be in danger - or a danger to others - at school, they weren’t. Similarly workers who have continued to work throughout while the rest were obliged to stop.

[bednobs]

but shes going in on Thursday and we all cant wait