School attendance

Is anyone else getting really annoyed by the amount of kids still attending school while your kids aren’t? I’m pretty sure more than half are attending at least a few days a week.
Surely if over half are attending it defeats the object of keeping them closed?

I really feel like my child is missing out this time because I happen to be on maternity leave. Yet others who are on furlough with their other half in a key worker role are sending their children in.

sorry if I sound bitter. I’m not blaming the other parents as such. They are just doing what is best for their children I get it. It’s just such a stupid policy where so many people seem to be considered key workers!

I agree, schools should only allow children when BoTH parents are keyworkers. And even then they should show their schedules. Me and my husband are keyworkers and our shifts work around each other so our kids aren’t in school. I’m knackered after working a night shift then homeschooling on my own though

Oh my goodness I

~here’s.to.us~ said:

I agree, schools should only allow children when BoTH parents are keyworkers. And even then they should show their schedules. Me and my husband are keyworkers and our shifts work around each other so our kids aren’t in school. I’m knackered after working a night shift then homeschooling on my own though

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Oh my goodness I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you a place! Here’s hoping they open on 8th March

Rosie878 said:

Oh my goodness I

Oh my goodness I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you a place! Here’s hoping they open on 8th March

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It only affects me 2 week days and a sat/sun so it’s not as bad as it could be. I certainly feel safer having them home even if it is affecting my well-being!!

Rosie878 said:

Is anyone else getting really annoyed by the amount of kids still attending school while your kids aren’t? I’m pretty sure more than half are attending at least a few days a week.
Surely if over half are attending it defeats the object of keeping them closed?

I really feel like my child is missing out this time because I happen to be on maternity leave. Yet others who are on furlough with their other half in a key worker role are sending their children in.

sorry if I sound bitter. I’m not blaming the other parents as such. They are just doing what is best for their children I get it. It’s just such a stupid policy where so many people seem to be considered key workers!

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How do you know they aren’t classed as vulnerable?

These kids are probably vulnerable, as in there is social service involvement and school is their safe space. Would you rather they were kept at home and subject to abuse or neglect? They may also have additional learning needs which would make it really difficult for parents to home school.

Its a hard time for everyone but you’ve no idea what goes on and why these children have received a place. If you are at home on maternity leave then your child does need to be at school.

I don’t feel annoyed as such but I do worry that my children are missing out from being at home and mostly cooped up not seeing their friends etc. One of their teachers shared some photos of the kids who are in school playing in the snow and although it was lovely to see it made me sad that my children had missed out on enjoying the snow with their friends. One of my kids classes has about 10 kids in which seems fine to me, I don’t know all their personal circumstances but the ones I do know are definitely key workers or their kids are classed as vulnerable/sen so there’s no beef from me on that front at

My worry stems from home school, although the amount of effort the teachers are putting in is excellent, it’s not really an adequate replacement for a school setting, teachers have spent years at university training to teach children. I have average GCSE’s and nothing else, home school was never on my radar when it came to raising children. I know there’s nothing that can be done and all I can do is do my best to get the best out of my kids at home without making it a stressful experience, but it doesn’t stop the worry and the anxiety. I can’t wait for them to be able to go back to be honest, but also know it’s not sensible for them to go back too soon. March 8th is a date to aim for but it’s not set in stone.

Bitofthebubbly said:

I don’t feel annoyed as such but I do worry that my children are missing out from being at home and mostly cooped up not seeing their friends etc. One of their teachers shared some photos of the kids who are in school playing in the snow and although it was lovely to see it made me sad that my children had missed out on enjoying the snow with their friends. One of my kids classes has about 10 kids in which seems fine to me, I don’t know all their personal circumstances but the ones I do know are definitely key workers or their kids are classed as vulnerable/sen so there’s no beef from me on that front at

My worry stems from home school, although the amount of effort the teachers are putting in is excellent, it’s not really an adequate replacement for a school setting, teachers have spent years at university training to teach children. I have average GCSE’s and nothing else, home school was never on my radar when it came to raising children. I know there’s nothing that can be done and all I can do is do my best to get the best out of my kids at home without making it a stressful experience, but it doesn’t stop the worry and the anxiety. I can’t wait for them to be able to go back to be honest, but also know it’s not sensible for them to go back too soon. March 8th is a date to aim for but it’s not set in stone.

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To make you feel better I have mine in school part-time, and mine is still unhappy none of her best friends are there and it’s not the same. There are only between 5-8 in everyday in her class, and they are sat 2m apart in the class room with their coats on because it’s so cold .

She’s actually happiest at home, and cannot wait for everyone to be back.

Ours are being taught exactly the same at school or at home xxx

Just to echo others, I wouldn’t say I’m annoyed but worry more for my son’s mental health being stuck at home when so many of his friends are at school.

His class in particular are mainly in school. From what I’ve seen, there are perhaps 8 or 9 at home out of 27.

I’m a keyworker but WFH part time, so I wouldn’t even think of taking a school place. But then at home this week we’ve had arguments and crying because things are getting too much. We’re against the clock a lot trying to just get out for a walk, whereas at school there’s play with friends involved.

It’s sad but it’s a hard situation for so many people. I guess there are key workers that have no choice other than to send in their kids, who would rather them be at home?

I would send mine if they asked. She’s struggling but we will plod on.

I am annoyed that some people I know have sent their kids back and they are playing out after school, parents are having parties and socialising as though nothing is any different.

Thanks everyone for your comments and reassurance.

some parents have been quite open about being on furlough and their child having a KW place due to their partners job. The school is in an affluent area where free school meals/rates of deprivation are close to 0. I do realise that abuse/neglect still goes on regardless of income /status etc and will be more mindful of this.

sorry if I’ve come across as judgey/petty. I almost feel a bit paranoid because I see so many kids going to school every morning while mine is at home. He keeps telling me how sad he is and that he doesn’t have friends and it makes me feel terrible, even though there is nothing I can do!

There’s a whole host of reasons why someone might be invited into school. There are a lot of children who come under being vulnerable because of EHCPs or being LAC. At my school we have a very low uptake on places for Key Worker students with parents preferring to keep them at home.
I think the policy is very confusing

My nephews are attending school as they are classed as vulnerable. My younger nephew is disabled and has profound learning disabilities, this is why they are both attending school. The older one hates it because none of his friends are in, the pupils that are in aren't allowed near each other so they are all a bit miserable. He regularly tries to negotiate not going in and doing home schooling so they have an agreement with school that he can stay home some days. Nobody would know why he was attending school if they didn't know the family, however their mum needs a break to de-stress from the responsibility of being a full time carer for a disabled child and to clean her house, go shopping and cook.

I completely agree with the poster. My daughter is 6 and at home and I really worry about how this is effecting her this time. I'm not in any way questioning the places of the children that are going into school. Obviously key workers children need be there and I have no idea of any other child's circumstances and I hope that all vulnerable children do have a place. I would never question any child's space, if the teachers have agreed for them to be there they should be there. I hate to think of vulnerable children who may have slipped through the cracks and now do not have the safety and escapism of school. But I think we should be allowed to voice our concerns about our children at home too. It really is a postcode lottery of the education they are recieving. My daughter only has a 20 minute zoom lesson a day first thing, then all the home learning is down to me. Friends/family with the same age children are having full days of zoom lessons, a similar education to a normal school day. There is no way my daughters 20 minute lesson, is giving her the same education, that a full day of lessons at school or on zoom can give. I try my best to do the work set, but she struggles to concentrate. I have a younger child who demands all my attention, so we just do what we can.
Also the same with affluent areas having way more spaces for children, I live in a less affluent area close to a hospital so spaces are very limited. Yet my home town 20 minutes away is very affluent and many parents have been able to send there children for various reasons because there is the spaces.
Obviously keeping the staff and pupils safe is paramount. But when they go back they are expected to catch up, it's not possible. I kept being told in September my daughter was behind, she hadn't been at school all year! Also financially its hard, I'm lucky enough that I can afford the extra food they are eating, the home learning resources we have needed etc. But it's been expensive and many can not afford. It's such a worrying time for us as parents we should be allowed to be concerned too without being made to feel selfish. There is going to be a lot of children with mental health problems after all this

Rosie878 said:

Thanks everyone for your comments and reassurance.

some parents have been quite open about being on furlough and their child having a KW place due to their partners job. The school is in an affluent area where free school meals/rates of deprivation are close to 0. I do realise that abuse/neglect still goes on regardless of income /status etc and will be more mindful of this.

sorry if I’ve come across as judgey/petty. I almost feel a bit paranoid because I see so many kids going to school every morning while mine is at home. He keeps telling me how sad he is and that he doesn’t have friends and it makes me feel terrible, even though there is nothing I can do!

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Just to give you a different point of view, I live in a affluent area too, my child is in school as he comes into the vulnerable category and honestly on the way to and from school I walk past so many of the school mums and it makes me feel so so uncomfortable knowing they are probably wondering why the hell my kid is in school, It’s obvious we aren’t key workers, but it’s not obvious my child has additional education needs and can not mentally afford to not be in school.

Saying that I am quite shocked at the amount of children in school, our school has just recently sent an email out asking if anyone whose family only have 1 key worker can rearrange their situation as the school is too full up and they can’t offer anymore vulnerable kids a space

Sticky One said:

Just to give you a different point of view, I live in a affluent area too, my child is in school as he comes into the vulnerable category and honestly on the way to and from school I walk past so many of the school mums and it makes me feel so so uncomfortable knowing they are probably wondering why the hell my kid is in school, It’s obvious we aren’t key workers, but it’s not obvious my child has additional education needs and can not mentally afford to not be in school.

Saying that I am quite shocked at the amount of children in school, our school has just recently sent an email out asking if anyone whose family only have 1 key worker can rearrange their situation as the school is too full up and they can’t offer anymore vulnerable kids a space

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Thank you for opening my eyes up to a different POV. It’s a horrible situation as you must dread being questioned on it and you and your child have a right to privacy regarding your situation.

To be honest no, I'm glad my children are home and safe during this pandemic. I am worried about their education but the children going in are doing the same work so are not really advantaged.

I’m a primary teaching assistant and I’m in work running an SEN bubble with our SENCO Our school is half full and we physically cannot take any more safely now. People in non keyworker roles call our head every day begging for their child to be in. It’s really taking it’s toll on lots of people. But for some children it’s not just school, it’s a safe space where they are cared for and somewhere to have a hot meal etc

My son is also in his school and his school asked that all keyworker children be in full time or not at all. I know for a fact some parents have lied about their job roles to get a place - they’ve told people they have and it’s incredibly disappointing. Parents that don’t have children in are becoming horribly judgmental and turning on the school and each other (it’s a small village school which doesn’t help)

IM SO OVER IT ALL!!!!!

If one parent is at home then the child should be too. Totally takes advantage of the situation otherwise

Rxt156 said:

If one parent is at home then the child should be too. Totally takes advantage of the situation otherwise

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I’m sure this was the rule before? In Lockdown 1