Children need to return to school as soon as possible
Children need to return to school as soon as possible to prevent the attainment gap widening further, to improve their mental health and to provide a safe and stable environment for them to attend. Many children do not have the technology or support to learn at home and are falling behind all the time. It is well documented how much reading levels can fall over the summer holidays - this extended time could leave children a full year behind. Mental health for children at home is suffering terribly and no amount of “technologies” can make up from being with their peers. Teachers need to be equipped with PPE and schools need to be cleaned thoroughly along with constantly reminding them of hand washing.
Why the contribution is important
Mental health, learning and community
Schools need to be open for business to start up again. Do we really think that having shops open is more important than educating our children !
Schools need to be open for business to start up again. Do we really think that having shops open is more important than educating our children !
by Clare on May 05, 2020 at 10:45PM
Posted by murrayme8 May 05, 2020 at 23:04
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Posted by MTL May 05, 2020 at 23:05
Concerned that home environment is not conducive to learning and may be unsafe.
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Posted by Smillie May 05, 2020 at 23:20
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Posted by lm May 05, 2020 at 23:25
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Posted by AllanPettie May 05, 2020 at 23:25
Need to consider the effect the lockdown has already had on them and cannot seriously expect business as usual when they return.
The attainment gap is the least of the concerns in managing any move to a new normal.
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Posted by ColinAnderson May 05, 2020 at 23:25
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Posted by Shopaholic99 May 05, 2020 at 23:45
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Posted by Primo May 06, 2020 at 00:09
I would love my children to be able to return to school but now is not the time for the vast majority, learning will happen and is happening to a degree, this is an unprecedented situation and calls for measures to protect children, families and waiting until the time is right for children to return to school is a key part of this.
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Posted by MelLT May 06, 2020 at 00:23
Mental health may be at risk if children stay home for a long time but sending children to school when there is still a high risk of them getting ill is a risk to physical health, even a risk to life.
I may be over cautious about sending my children back to school, but my son is in a high risk category due to a medical condition, but not in the shielding category. I feel that he would be more vulnerable than others. My children are happy at home and learning a lot. Their school is doing a great job at providing online learning at home, including interaction with classmates and teachers, and even other people in the school. I am in no hurry to send them back to school unless it is really safe to do so.
Ensuring that all schools provide quality online learning is important, providing a guideline perhaps as there seems to be large differences between schools.
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Posted by russellp May 06, 2020 at 01:23
The effect on an only child of the separation from school and friends, already endured for 6 weeks, is severe both socially and emotionally.
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Posted by Kimtewnion May 06, 2020 at 01:24
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Posted by margarett May 06, 2020 at 01:53
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Posted by flocor01 May 06, 2020 at 06:38
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Posted by lindyloo May 06, 2020 at 07:10
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Posted by Salouhel May 06, 2020 at 07:30
As for the rest of primary school I don’t think half days are practical if parents are also back at work without then causing the need for childcare, often provided by grandparents. Alternate days might be better. Probably best for the youngest children to go back last as they will find social distancing very difficult and need to be collected by a parent (or often a grandparent...) which results is a large number of adults gathering at pick up time
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Posted by lmjdear May 06, 2020 at 07:37
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Posted by Samof3 May 06, 2020 at 07:41
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Posted by K0612 May 06, 2020 at 07:56
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Posted by Mandyintdesign May 06, 2020 at 07:59
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Posted by Groovydunc May 06, 2020 at 08:26
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Posted by AMKLJLLivingston May 06, 2020 at 08:27
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Posted by cus1903 May 06, 2020 at 08:33
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Posted by Sickandtired May 06, 2020 at 08:47
My 6 year old is laughing more, we are having fun doing some school work, baking, playing, exercising. I'm not saying it is all sunshine and rainbows but I'm in no rush and I don't understand why anyone would be? This new way of life is giving us all an opportunity to be closer and in a less stressed environment. Mental health can also be helped at home. Mindfulness, writing down feelings and having fun are all good for mental health. Face timing family and friends can also help.
This is a short space of time in a huge path of their schooling and they are all in the same boat. Every single child in this country. They will still excell, they will still get jobs, they will still be outstanding at all they do in later life.
Their safety, their grandparents safety, parents safety should all be at the top of the priority list. School is an environment for super spreading. Look at norovirus. At least that doesn't kill people. COVID-19 kills people. I think life needs to start with the bubble of close family, as their mental health matters also. My grandparents are missing my kids terribly that it is upsetting and it breaks my heart. I would not be able to bring my children round there if school was back in case they passed on COVID to them. We are already all on borrowed time, no point bringing it sooner because you are scared of the academic loss.
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Posted by Kit100 May 06, 2020 at 08:56
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Posted by Loulou77 May 06, 2020 at 09:10
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Posted by LauraJones May 06, 2020 at 11:54
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Posted by davidearly May 06, 2020 at 13:51
The health and wellbeing of everyone supersedes any urgent desire to get kids back in classrooms. Many of us are capable of home-schooling our own children and where not, needs should be addressed but this does not mean bundling kids into classrooms just to provide 'childcare' for the workforce.
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Posted by DougO May 06, 2020 at 14:23
In my current situation I have a p2, p1 and nursery age child. At first my p1 was flourishing, now they are withdrawing and filled with anxiety. My p2 child struggles massively with change and has not taken well to the situation. All credit to their school who informed them well about the need for hygiene and the risks of Covid. My wife and I are able to work from home for now but that is not feasible long term. Schools need to re-open in some form sooner rather than later or we will see a bow wave of mental health issues that will overwhelm the NHS, probably in time for the second peak.
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Posted by ProtestTheHero May 06, 2020 at 15:57
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Posted by Abdnshiremum May 07, 2020 at 07:43
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Posted by NorthernLight May 07, 2020 at 08:10
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Posted by NorthernLight May 07, 2020 at 08:19
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Posted by CTT May 07, 2020 at 12:55
When schools do reopen, I would be fine with our children attending say 2 days a week and homeschooling, with set tasks the rest of the week. vulnerable children should be given priority though for more schooling, if that is available.
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Posted by Hamiltoes May 10, 2020 at 23:24
Where is the science that this virus is easily spread by children? I would like to see some solid research that closing schools, playparks, and limiting outside access was the correct decision and I’d like to see a plan in place for how they will open as soon as possible.
Many children live in flats with no access to a garden. It is unacceptable that they are only allowed out once a day for exercise.
Many children are missing out on their right to an education and the opportunity to socialise with their peers - a critical activity for healthy development. With many parents still working, or working from home, home education is often difficult and sometimes unworkable.
I would like to see more research into the effect this is having on children’s mental health. In my experience, my five year old seems to have regressed back to the toddler years. Tantrums, anger, tears, phobias. This has gradually gotten worse as the weeks have dragged on. I cannot go to the toilet alone. She is refusing to visit her dad. Can’t bear to be parted from me.
I am genuinely beginning to question if the cost these children are paying is proportional to the risk they face.
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Posted by StayAtHomeSaveLives May 11, 2020 at 05:49
Lots to learn from the world that does not involve schools. No need to clamour about education being missed, as it's only a matter of a few months. More important to save lives.
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Posted by Stargazer1960 May 11, 2020 at 15:19
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Posted by Hep2020 May 11, 2020 at 18:50
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Posted by ReillyBlue May 11, 2020 at 20:59
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