School attendance

[Mermer89]

I’m a keyworker but my partner works from home so we don’t get a place. Which is fine for my eldest in year 6 but my youngest is ASD/ADHD so needs one to one for schooling which I can’t give whilst working. I understand the rules entirely but feel as though he’s going to really suffer.

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

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

Right? You’re hardly going to put a statement on Facebook announcing that that’s why your kid has a place. That’s why I try not to judge even if things seem ‘fine’ on the outside, I don’t know their day to day lives and people generally try to make their lives look as great as possible on Facebook so that can’t be taken at face value either. Maybe school is genuinely the best place for those children and I can’t begrudge them (the children) that.

 

[Rxt156]

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

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Its an absolute lottery based on where you live whether you can access schooling or not.

We are both deemed critical workers, one NHS, one local government. Two kids, one pre school age and one school aged child who gets some 1 to 1 at school.

We are both doing our jobs from home now but because we are home we arent entitled to a school place.

We cant do our jobs and home school, its not possible but we are having to juggle it as we don't meet the criteria for a space.

We are home and safe though, every cloud I guess.

 

[Kim Mild]

I don't know what's worse , people sending their kids to school in lockdown when they don't consider their jobs to be essential enough, or busybodies complaining about it .

If your employer has enough work and won't furlough you, you aren't going to take unpaid leave and take a financial hit to homeschool them when they could be at school and you could work as normal .

Sounds like I touched a nerve. Either you or someone you know doing the same?

Yeah yeah. We know what they are like. You don't. There is alot more I could say about them, but I won't as it will go in one ear and out the other by the sounds of it. So maybe realise that. Does sound like I have touched a nerve though
And if you have actually paid attention to what other people have said and the amount of stories that have came out of even teachers saying they are frustrated that people are taking up spaces meant for key workers kids.

And since schools don't actually check, which has also been said on this thread, if you had taken the time to read, it is easy for parents to say their kid needs to be in school just because they can't be asked home schooling them. You could also search online. Alot of people seem to be doing it this time.

She sent her to hide down by the shed in freezing weather.
If there was nothing to hide and if she was vulnerable, then she wouldn't care who saw her going in and out of school as she would be going there for a valid reason. Nothing to hide as would not be doing anything wrong. Unless she just likes to make her hide in the back seat and down by the shed in freezing weather.

Anyway. There is alot you don't know about them, but since you defended them, sounds like you would get on well with them which speaks volumes.

Bye now.

You seem to care too much about it .

 

[Gym&Tonic]

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.

Once again you have no idea what’s going on in this family. It sounds like this child is classed as vulnerable and that’s why they are in school. That could be because they have additional needs or they are at risk. You have no idea and it’s none of your business anyway. I’d imagine they are hiding because they area aware of attitudes like this.

There is also no way you can ‘lie‘ to get your child into school because they will have made sure that they have proof of key worker status before offering a place.

 

[Days28]

I totally get this, We are both key workers but managed to get only one day at school for our daughter as they at full capacity - they told
Me they can’t legally not give me a place but they don’t have room for her????
She’s having to go to my elderly Mam to be watched which annoys me for what we might pass to her.
I catch her up with her homework on an evening, - the school offered to provide a dongle as they weren’t happy she wasn’t online during the day (I declined as my mam wouldn’t know what to do with her laptop and daughter is still quite young).
I was dropping her off at the school for her 1 day this week and there were loads of parents in loungewear - clearly not going to a job, just getting rid of their kids to go home and relax - I’m absolutely furious!!

 

[Tublet83]

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

 

[Platypusfattypus]

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.

 

[Allmyownopinion]

I’m a key worker so my child has a school place which I’m extremely grateful for. I’ve seen other children of stay at home mums attending school & yes it’s crossed my mind as to why they aren’t staying home, but who knows if that parent has mental health struggles & can’t complete home schooling, for example? You never know the whole story unless you’re part of someone’s household. In these strange times, the best you can do is look after your own, take support that is offered if you need it & never mind what other people are doing as it really is non of your business.

 

[nbt]

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?

 

[Lonewolf]

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

As you've just said, nurseries are open as "normal" primarys & secondary are not!

 

[Lizzie Mintdrop]

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.

 

[Rosie878]

The key worker policy is terrible. Everyone and their dog is a key worker this time round. If I wasn’t on mat leave I’d be classed as a key worker which is ridiculous.
The problem is parents are turning on each other as tempers fray while people are under so much pressure. The frustration should be aimed at the education secretary.

 

[hanq2021]

Because it’s a team effort to stop the spread! If you don’t have to send your child to school or nursery because your at home then why wouldn’t you so we can try and get through this as quickly as possible!

 

[LaurieLaurie]

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.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Totally agree with alot of people are taking the piss regarding this, for example a girl I know works in our local chipshop 2x a week(classes herself as a key worker) and thought it would be great to tell all on Facebook last week that it was her day off and she was going to have some "me" time with a nice chilled pamper day....after she had taken her son to school! How is this right? She also has 2 other sons over 16 and a partner that does not work!!

I would imagine the school thinks going in will be the best place for them. They sound like a lot of local families to me and knowing them there’s little very chance they would do any school work at home or be fed. One local dad kicked off because the local takeaway couldn’t provide them a free school meal (parent had to be present) and he didn’t notice until they got home from playing out that night. He broadcast it all over like it was the takeaways fault his kids weren’t being fed.

 

[Rosie878]

Oh my goodness I

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

 

[Lovebugx]

My sons school made it soo difficult for me I felt like I was doing something wrong. I had to send proof , twice about my job / employer ( I'm a nurse In a nursing home) , I had to send proof via my council tax bill to prove I live alone. I'm a single parent , I work part time , my son's dad isn't a critical worker but still has to go to work , and works nights full time , actually he works 50/60 hours week to be exact , he is entitled to absolutely no financial help of he doesn't go to work . Last lockdown , I was allowed to let my son go to school on the days I worked , this time around they've insisted he goes in every day or nothing at all.
My sons friend however , who has a twin brother , father works in Tesco 2 days per week , mum wfh for a local university office based , the school have allowed both children into school , no questions asked ......then send letters home about only attending school if you absolutely have to
As it happens the twins mother got freaked out by the rising R rate a few weeks ago and kept them form for the last two weeks , but " now the R rate has dropped , its safer for them to go school" . I do know the family and I do know there are no concerns for the kids welfare so it's definitely not been based on that.
Fell astounded the school have allowed this once , let a lone twice it just takes the piss. They make things up as they go along , I understand it's an ever changing situation and must be incredibly hard to plan anything but it really makes you wonder who makes these descions.

 

[G2000]

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?

In that case absolutely send them in. You’re both key workers, go for it. One situation in my bubble at school is Dad is a doctor, Mum is a stay at home parent WITH A NANNY. All three of her kids are in. It’s also not an isolated case. If all parents were being honest about whether there is absolutely no other option then those that really don’t have an option wouldn’t feel like they are scrutinised.

There are obviously people like you and others who are sensibly sending their kids in. However, there is a large percentage in my school and others where parents are taking the piss.

The reason for keyworker bubbles in the last lockdown was so that the NHS and other public services could continue to run, I’m sorry but my personal experience this time suggests that that goal has been forgotten by quite a few people.