School attendance

[Gym&Tonic]

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.

 

[Rosie878]

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!

 

[~here’s.to.us~]

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

 

[Tublet83]

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!

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

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

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.

 

[shortie500]

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

 

[Tublet83]

People are so judgemental on this thread no wonder people are hiding in bushes

It’s none of your business

 

[Anon_Miss]

One of my neighbours has lied and somehow got her kid into school and her other kid into nursery.

She is at home all day, her husband goes to work most days. They are selfish, ignorant and just annoy me so much with everything they've done. (Long story)

One day I was leaving to go out for a walk and she must have told her kid to hide so I didn't see her in her school uniform (even though they know we know)..
I saw her through the hedge crouching down behind their shed. I waited a little while just to see, as soon as they heard me leaving, the kid ran up from the shed and hurried in.

She has also tried in other ways to hide the fact she has her in school. They really have no shame no morals and no conscience.

 

[Tublet83]

This is rife at my school. Generally the mum is a key worker and the dad is working from home.

I work from home and am a keyworker working for a local authority. I spend 7-8 hours on external zoom calls as does my husband (who has to attend building sites at short notice due to H&S issues, and also has to present live committtee items on you tube to a public audience).

We literally can’t supervise our children, never mind homeschool.

We also can’t work evenings as we have to be available and responsive during business hours.

Thankfully both my employer and head teacher have been understanding of this. Again, people have no idea of the situations of others work.

We are both using annual leave so our daughter isn’t in school full time.

I know that colleagues working from home on family court for example have been told point blank that children have to be at school they are not exposed to the safeguarding cases in the hone and can’t hear the cases as it’s traumatic. How do you know parents who are solicitors aren’t working on similar cases?

 

[Tublet83]

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.

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

 

[Belulah]

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

 

[Makaraka]

I’m bitter! I’ve been refused a space most weeks because I’m not a “key worker” (I work in a supermarket and my husband only 3 days ago got home after being away for 3 months) we are both key workers and whilst he’s away I’m deemed a “lone parent” however my daughters school wouldn’t accept her but accepted 3 students in her year who’s parents are both at home with one not working

it’s an absolute joke and I feel sorry for teachers etc. But it’s really a kick in the teeth if you need to send them to school to remove the risk of mixing households to much

 

[Tublet83]

If I was classed as vulnerable with SS involvement I definitely wouldn’t want others to know about it.

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

It’s not just people deciding for themselves that they are key workers. My partner got a letter from his employer stating they are now classed as key/critical workers or what ever the term is now, and that the letter could be used as proof to their children’s school to get a place should they need it. We both think this is bollocks, there’s nothing critical about his job. He’s suggested his company has paid off the government so they can remain open (it is a large company but I’m not sure on that myself). I am at home so my kids are at home anyway, but for some people it’s either put your kid’s in school as a key worker and turn up to work or stay home to home school and don’t get paid.

Of course there are always going to be people taking the piss. But so many more people are having to work through this lockdown compared to last it’s not really surprising that more kids are in school as a result.

 

[Sticky One]

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!

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

 

[Kim Mild]

Nurseries are open as normal, why get annoyed with people sending their children to nursery?

Because people are getting themselves bothered about stuff that doesn't concern them .

 

[G2000]

Some, not all, parents have been incredibly selfish this time around. It’s not fair to anyone.

 

[Rxt156]

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

Loads of parents CBA to deal with their kids again so are making up all sorts of shite so they don’t have to be at home with them all day!

 

[Noseyoldcow]

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!!!!!

 

[Rosie878]

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!